London Olympics most watched TV event in UK: BBC

MUMBAI: BBC has said that the London 2012 Olympic Games delivered the biggest television event in the UK since current measuring systems began, with 51.9 million (90 per cent of the UK population) watching at least 15 minutes of coverage. 24.2 million (42 per cent of the UK population) also watched at least 15 minutes of coverage on the BBC Red Button.

The Closing Ceremony was watched by a peak audience of 26.3 million and an average audience of 23.2 million (82 per cent share). This compares to an Opening Ceremony peak audience of 27.3 million and an average audience of 23.4 million (84% share).

BBC One controller Danny Cohen said, "It has been an absolute privilege to broadcast the London 2012 Olympics on BBC One. It?s been a phenomenal Games and Team GB?s amazing achievements have helped draw huge audiences to BBC One and put the channel right at the heart of the action. We?ve had fantastic feedback about the quality of the BBC?s coverage and all the teams involved deserve huge thanks and praise."

Top 10 viewing peaks:
1. Opening Ceremony, Friday 27 July - 27.3 million
2. Closing Ceremony, Sunday 12 August - 26.3 million
3. Men?s 100m Final ? Bolt wins gold, Sunday 5 August - 20 million
4. Mo Farah wins 10000m gold, Saturday 4 August - 17.1 million
5. Jess Ennis wins Heptathlon gold, Saturday 4 August - 16.3 million
6. Tom Daley win?s diving bronze, Saturday 11 August - 15.9 million (inc. BBC One/Three and BBC Red Button)
7. Greg Rutherford Long Jump gold, Saturday 4 August - 15.6 million
8. Men?s 200m Final ? Bolt wins second gold, Thursday 9 August - 15.4 million
9. Mo Farah wins 5000m gold, Saturday 11 August - 12.9 million
10. Sally Pearson wins 110m hurdles gold, Tuesday 7 August - 12.1 million