33 million people saw yesterday’s announcement of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s passing across all major channels.
The broadcasters abandoned normal programming schedules to communicate the news, and millions of people tuned in to BBC and other major news stations between noon and 2 a.m.
9.83 million people tuned in to BBC One on Thursday at 6.30 p.m. to hear presenter Huw Edwards reveal that the Queen had ‘peacefully’ died away at her Balmoral residence.
Members of the royal family, including the future King Charles III, travelled to Scotland to be at the Queen’s side after doctors earlier in the day expressed worry about her health.
Today, a BBC News Special filled the traditional TV time between BBC News at One and BBC News at Six on BBC One as it broadcast rolling news coverage.
Other programmes, such as Bargain Hunt and Homes Under the Hammer, have been moved to BBC Two.
The 33 million views were verified by the British ratings agency Overnights.tv in a tweet.
“A total reach of 33 million individuals tuned in between noon and 2am, when news of the tragic departure of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II emerged,” the statement said.
A homage to the Queen and an additional hour for the Today programme were added to Radio 4’s programming.
Throughout the day today, Mary Nightingale and Tom Bradby hosted an extended ITV News special programme, which revolutionised how ITV covered the story.
The Queen ruled for 70 years, making her the queen with the longest reign in British history.
After Liz Truss was chosen as the next leader of the Conservative Party and prime minister, she met her there two days before she passed away.
As soon as the news of her passing spread, condolences from a number of well-known people, including Boris Johnson and Liz Truss, came in.