There are plenty of events in the history books that have gained people’s attention. However, Betway Insider recently took a look at events that have gained people’s attention in terms of how many people across the world tuned it. You might be surprised that some televised events gain audiences of over 1 billion people, how incredible. Here are 7 times that events made the world stop and pay attention, gaining massive audiences from home at the same time.
- Barak Obama’s Inauguration – Perhaps unsurprisingly, 1 billion people tuned in to watch the first ever black president of the USA be sworn in. Obama was a massively popular choice internationally, so it stands to reason that nearly 15% of the world’s population watched him become president.
- The Apollo 11 Moon Landing – Whilst some people still have mixed opinions on the first ever moon landing, there is no denying that at the time it was a big deal. The fact that 650 million people were able to tune into the same live TV broadcast as far back as 1969 is an incredible feat. This meant that at the time, 18% of the world’s population were tuned in and watched Neil Armstrong become the first human to take a step on the moon.
- The Wall: Live in Berlin – Political events are always going to get people’s attention and when you combine this with music you’re really on to something. The Wall: Live in Berlin was a live concert that took place in the space where the Berlin Wall once existed. The 1990 concert not only had a host of headliners but it was broadcast in over 50 different countries. This meant that as well as a live audience of 350,000 people, the concert gained a TV audience of over 1 billion viewers.
- Olympics Opening Ceremony in Beijing – The Olympics are a big deal and every time it takes place people from all over the world tune in to watch the opening ceremony. However, whilst every opening ceremony is popular, over 1.4 billion people watched in 2008. The ceremony took place in Beijing and proceedings kicked off at 8 pm on the 8th of August 2008 – as a nod towards the importance of the number 8 within Chinese culture.
- Aloha from Hawaii – Elvis is well-known for many things, not just his film star good looks and amazing voice. However, what many people don’t realise is that in 1973 he travelled to Hawaii. He did this to visit the Honolulu International Centre, where he became the first singer to broadcast live to over 40 countries – gaining an audience of 1 billion viewers as he did.
- A Royal Wedding – Royal weddings always prove popular, but the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was on a different level. The 2018 ceremony was shown all over the world and proved so popular that it is thought that 25% of the world’s population (1.9 billion people) turned in to watch them tie the knot – how incredible is that?
Disclaimer:
- As per the Public Gambling Act of 1867, all Indian states, except Goa, Daman and Sikkim, prohibit gambling
- Land-based casinos are legalized, with certain guidelines, in Goa and Daman, as per the Goa, Daman and Diu Public Gambling Act 1976
- Land-based casinos, Online gambling and E-gaming (games of chance) are legalized in Sikkim under the Sikkim Online Gaming (Regulation) Rules 2009
- Only some Indian states have legalized online/regular lotteries as per and subject to the conditions laid down by state laws. Kindly refer to the same here
- Horse racing and betting on horse racing, including online betting, is permitted only in a licensed premise in select states. Kindly refer to the 1996 Judgement by the Supreme Court Of India here and for more information
- This article does not endorse or express the views of Qrius and/or any of its staff.
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