Prince Harry, Meghan Markles Oprah Winfrey interview watched by 11.3 million people in the UK

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s explosive interview to US
talk show host Oprah Winfrey was seen by an average of 11.3 million people in
the UK, as per a report by Variety quoting overnight figures from Broadcasters
Audience Research Board (BARB). Airing in the UK on the 9pm slot on Monday via
broadcaster ITV, the peak number is stated to be 12.3 million at a given point
of time.

So far the second most watched TV show of the year, the interview
stands only behind UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s national address to impose
the lockdowns back in January.

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Reportedly, except news programs, the show also drew the greatest
number of audiences from the 16-34 age group for overnight viewing since ITV
show ‘I’m a celebrity, Get me out of here” in 2020.

About 2.2 million viewers streamed it on ITV Hub.

“We wouldn’t disclose separately what we did on any one
program. What I will say is that obviously, anything like this, we would look
at as rate of return. And I think we will cover the cost of the program, put it
that way”, ITV CEO Carolyn McCall was quoted by Variety as saying regarding the
amount the broadcaster gained or had to dish out from airing the show.

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The report, however, states that ITV paid an amount close to
$1 million for getting exclusive airing rights in the UK, edging past Discovery
in the process.

In contrast to the Harry-Meghan interview, a 1995 interview
between BBC and Princess Diana of the British Royal Family brought in about 22.8
million viewers. The market at the time, although, was much less fragmented than at present.