Those of a cynical nature would say it had already started, with a certain judges surprise wedding after three months of dating filling the news today. Nicely timed with a new single next week too....

I have just seen that particular item on the news. It would appear that it has started

I did not think it was great - far too few goal attempts - did Argentina have a shot on goal?

Compared to some previous finals, it was a classic! The Argentinian defence was much better than their attack, though, and Messi looked knackered. Well done to Germany though, to be the first European team to win it in the Americas takes some doing.

K

It was an enjoyable final, certainly better than 2010. Argentina had no shots on target according to the stats.

I assume the BBC pundits wearing suits and ties will be a precedent for all future MOTD coverage ?

Why would you presume that?

Er no, they were dressed for the final.

17:35 - BBC News: 2.60m (19.8%)
17:50 - BBC Regional News: 3.40m (24.5%)
18:00 - Countryfile: 4.50m (28.3%)
19:00 - World Cup Final 2014: 12.09m (50.3%)
23:15 - BBC News: 3.24m (29.6%)
23:25 - BBC Regional News: 2.30m (24.5%)

I'm going to be the first to say that the number, the BBC one at least looks slightly lower than expected.

"@Sam_Hodges: .@BBCOne's coverage of the 2014 #WorldCupFinal peaked with 16.7m viewers."

TV Ratings UK - JUST IN: #WorldCupFinal peak UK audience - 20.64m.
BBC: 16.72m (61.4% share) at 10.30pm
ITV: 3.96m (13.8%) at 9.45pm

Very good peak for the football, and breaking the 20m mark too

BBC One figure slightly lower than I expected. The only thing I can think of is that there was 40-45 minute post match and 1 hour prematch which might have dragged down the average.

It will be interesting to see whether ITV's figure is higher or lower than 2010 then.

Strange that BBC1's peak came after the match and ITV's at half time. Does anybody know what the match itself averaged?

errm, it was an 8 o'clock kickoff...

K

Isn't this all totally in line with 2010, give or take a few hundred thou?

Itv still got humiliated. Twas ever thus.

Would think BBC1's match average will easily be over 14m if not 15m and if reported as such is likely to be the official top rated audience of 2014.

I didn't expect a higher figure than that because of good weather in the early evening. People were watching at pubs in beer gardens or outdoors.

"UK TV Ratings @TVRatingsUK 5m
BBC One's #WorldCupFinal coverage averaged 12.09m/50.3% from 7pm. ITV's drew 2.86m/12.1%."

UK TV Ratings ‏@TVRatingsUK 1m
Against the football, Richard Gere movie Shall We Dance? Was most watched, with 1.28m/5.3% tuning in to the BBC2 showing."

ITV down too then. I guess it was the post/pre match which hurt the coverage on both channels. BBC Two held up well against the football.

I don't think anyone noticed that mistake! Carry on!

Of course!

Still odd they didn't peak at roughly the same time.

Guessing the BBC boycott didn't work then!

BBC2 held up very well.

Looks roughly in line with 2010 to me.

Match average around 13-14m. ITV bang on normal. 50% share for BBC coverage.

Smile and move on I say. Not bad at all.

People switching away from itv at the ad break and not coming back?

K

Last night's game was the most watched program in Germany history according to the BBC ;


A record 34.65m Germans watched Sunday's World Cup final win on national television.
It beat the previous record of 32.57m set by the semi-final between Germany and Brazil.
The number, which does not include the many millions who watched the match in bars and open-air public viewings, represents a market share of 86.3%, according to broadcast data figures.

Was Adrian Chiles in the studio at half time? if so there is the reason.

We've already established that their peak came at 90mins - keep up

K