With the advent of internationally broadcast television and its widespread adoption in the 1960s, the world has been witness in its masses to significant televised events. The viewing figures for these events are staggering. Some surprises abound over the percentages of the world’s population to witness events due to global population growth. Many of these before the event of social media.
The Inauguration Of Barack Obama
20/01/09
1BN viewers or 14% of the world’s population
The inauguration of Barack Obama was a significant event in American history and attracted enormous attention both within the USA and worldwide. The first-ever black president to be inaugurated was sworn in with a television audience of 1 billion people.
In Kenya, Obama’s father’s home country the event was marked with a public holiday.
In Jakarta, Indonesia, a midnight ball was held at Obama’s childhood school.
Prince Charles And Lady Diana Spencer’s Wedding
29/07/81
750M viewers or 17% of the world’s population
Marked by a national holiday in the UK, the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer in St Pauls Cathedral was watched by 750 million viewers worldwide, a staggering 17% of the worlds global population. The British Royal family were enjoying high popularity and support at the time, this and the charismatic Princess Diana ensured the world would turn out to wish them well.
The service was conducted in front of 3,500 guests, while crowds of over two million happy well-wishers lined Diana’s the route of Diana’s procession all the way from Clarence House to St Pauls Cathedral. A force of 6200 combined military and Police personnel kept crowds at bay and security for the wedding cost 48 million pounds.
Apollo 11 Moon Landing
20/07/69
650M viewers or 18% of the world’s population
For many this was science fiction becoming reality, for NASA it was the culmination of the hard work put into the program since John F. Kennedy initiated the project in 1961.
An approximation of 650m people, slightly less than a fifth of the world’s population watched Neil Armstrong take his first steps on the moon. to set foot on the moon. A testament to man’s huge technological achievements.
There have been a further 10 people to step foot on the moon’s surface since the Apollo 11 moon landing, but the mission by the Apollo 11 team remains the space exploration event with the most television viewers to this day.
Future World Events
Although the world is well connected now with international TV broadcasts to every country, our world is diverse with many interests. Only time will tell the next world event to capture the hearts of a worldwide viewing audience and generate figures once again in the billions.
About Debz Louise
Debz Louise is a UK-based lifestyle expert and the founder of several lifestyle blogs, including Wannabe Princess and Under 5s. Specializing in everything from interior design and home renovation to body-positive fashion and early years development,