England’s Euro 2020 quarter-final victory over Ukraine was the most-watched live TV event of the year with 20.9m tuning in to watch on BBC1… before host Gary Lineker jokes ‘I sense this record will be beaten again soon’
England’s emphatic victory over Ukraine in the quarter-finals of Euro 2020 on Saturday night was the most-watched live TV event of 2021 so far, the BBC has revealed.
There was a peak audience of 20.9million and 81.8 per cent of all available viewers as Gareth Southgate’s side prevailed with a 4-0 victory in Rome to secure their place in the semi-finals.
In addition the game was streamed 5.2million times across the iPlayer and BBC website.
England’s 4-0 victory over Ukraine was the most-watched live TV event of 2021 so far
Presenter Gary Lineker joked: ‘I sense this record will be beaten again soon.’
Coverage will switch back to ITV for Wednesday’s semi-final against Denmark at Wembley. The final will be shown on both BBC and ITV on July 11.
The viewing figures for the game against Ukraine surpassed the 20.6million who tuned in for the last-16 success against Germany on BBC.
BBC’s Gary Lineker joked on Twitter that he expects the record to be beaten again soon
There was a peak audience of 20.9million and 81.8 per cent of all available viewers
Prior to that, there was a peak audience of 20million for the group stage clash against Scotland on ITV.
England got off to a superb start against Ukraine, with captain Harry Kane opening the scoring after just four minutes.
Harry Maguire added a second just after half time, with Jordan Henderson, who entered the fray as a substitute, proceeding to score his first England goal.
Kane completed the rout as he made it 4-0, with England progressing to their first European Championship semi-final for 25 years.
It appears inevitable that viewing figures will rise again for the final as hope grows that England will finally end their arduous wait for silverware.