These Are The 10 Most-Watched Live Broadcasts Of All Time
If social media has proven something, it’s that everyone has an opinion. In fact, everyone is entitled to one. Another thing it shows us is that anything can happen, and anyone can film. With this in mind, you can imagine how challenging the business of broadcasting is. These facts explain why broadcasters to date still opt to use pre-recorded material, as opposed to going live.
Live shows have been around for ages, and so have live events. Once in a while, something tragic, exciting, or phenomenal happens that grabs the attention of the whole world. Soccer, for instance, has capitalized on live broadcasts. The Premier League has been entirely built on live-action that’s now an everyday affair. The World Cup finals between Croatia and France in 2018, alone, attracted a good 517 million viewers. Just like it, some events have occurred in the past that commanded numbers within that range, and even greater. Here they are:
10 Muhammad Ali vs. George Foreman (1 Billion Viewers)
The fight between George Foreman and Muhammad Ali is regarded as one of the greatest sporting events of all time. The boxing match, dubbed ‘The Rumble in the Jungle,’ was one of a kind, as it was a representation of the battle between older and accomplished industry experts (Ali), and young, talented up-and-coming underdogs(Foreman). The fight, held in the Democratic Republic of Congo, attracted 60,000 attendees and generated over $100 million in revenue.
9 Muhammad Ali vs. Antonio Inoki (1.4 Billion Viewers)
On June 26, 1976, Muhammad Ali set yet another viewership record through his boxing match against Antonio Inoki. The match, dubbed ‘The War of the Worlds,’ took place in Tokyo, Japan. It was scheduled after Ali’s victory over Richard Dunn that saw him become the reigning WBC/WBA heavyweight boxing champion. The fight, refereed by Gene LeBell, resulted in a draw.
8 Aloha From Hawaii Via Satellite (1.5 Billion Viewers)
The Aloha From Hawaii Via Satellite concert starred the legendary singer Elvis Presley and was broadcast from the Honolulu International Centre. Elvis had taken a seven-year break from performing to focus on his acting career. This major comeback was therefore much anticipated. The process commanded a $2.5 million budget that saw 36 countries tune in. Proceeds from the concert were directed towards the Kui Lee Cancer Fund.
7 The Wedding Of Prince Harry And Meghan Markle (1.9 Billion Viewers)
The recent months have seen Prince Harry and Meghan Markle take a sabbatical from their royal duties. While this has caused quite a bit of a stir, the fact still remains that their wedding is one of the most viewed broadcasts of all time. Unlike other royal weddings that have often been held on weekdays, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding was an exception. Perhaps its weekend schedule highly contributed to the large viewership.
6 Live Aid (1.9 Billion Viewers)
Arguably one of the biggest concerts ever broadcast, Live Aid was organized in July 1985 to raise funds for a famine-stricken Ethiopia. The event, dubbed the ‘global jukebox,’ was held simultaneously in London and the USA, and had a combined attendance of over 150,000 people. The concert eventually raised$127 million, more than what was needed to curb the hunger crisis.
5 Live 8 (2 Billion Viewers)
The Live 8 was a chain of concerts that happened in the G8 states and South Africa. The charity-driven events took place in July 2005 and were scheduled to precede the G8 summit. To bring its point closer home, its model is what may have inspired the 'Global Citizen' movement. The number of concerts held on the day was ten, with a later concert being scheduled for the sixth of July. The entertainers that performed included key figures like Chris Martin, Madonna, Will Smith, and Paul McCartney.
4 Muhammad Ali vs. Larry Holmes: The Last Hurrah (2 Billion Viewers)
Despite announcing his retirement in June 1979, Muhammad Ali agreed to a fight with Larry Holmes. The boxing match, dubbed ‘The Last Hurrah’, was scheduled to take place in Rio De Janeiro, but that didn’t hold. Instead, the duo battled it out in Las Vegas. Muhammad Ali, who was on the verge of retirement, lost to Larry Holmes. The match, however, counts as one of the most viewed events in history.
3 Muhammad Ali vs. Leon Spinks II (2 Billion Viewers)
The world of sports, without a shadow of a doubt, dominates live broadcasts. And Muhammad Ali, as it is, holds the record for the most viewed broadcasts based on an individual. The Muhammad Ali vs. Leon Spinks fight was broadcast on the 15th of September, 1978. The Louisiana Superdome rematch recorded an attendance of over 60,000 people, cost ABC a fortune to broadcast, and delivered the viewership it had promised.
2 The Funeral Of Diana, Princess Of Wales (2.5Billion Viewers)
Princess Diana, often perceived as a royal misfit, was a darling to the public. Her sudden and untimely tragic death came as a shocker to the world. Her funeral attracted one of the largest viewerships ever recorded, a testament to her legacy that continues to reveal itself through her youngest son, Prince Harry. Britain alone, commanded 31 million viewers, while the rest of the world accounted for the high numbers witnessed.
1 Michael Jackson’s Memorial Service (2.5 Billion Viewers)
Considered the King of Pop, Michael Jackson had a legendary career, possibly one of the best of its kind. He goes on record as the most awarded artist in history and broke numerous records while he was alive. Idolized by the best of the best, it goes without saying that his memorial service would top the list of the most-watched events of all time. Even on his last days, he took a bow like the king that he was.
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