Brazil's Tourism Ministry Says 3.6 Billion People Will Follow World Cup, According To Projections

Brazil's Tourism Ministry on Wednesday released a study predicting that approximately 3.6 billion people worldwide -- "nearly half the population of the planet" -- will follow the World Cup via TVs, cell phones or other devices receiving a TV signal, according to the EFE. The "predicted number" is 12.5% higher than the viewership figures from the 2010 World Cup, when Kantar Sport "compiled the data at FIFA's request." The projection for this year's World Cup is based on "coverage data from the Confederations Cup, which took place in Brazil last June and registered an audience 50% larger than the audience" for the '09 Confederations Cup in South Africa. Brazil Tourism Minister Vinicius Lages said, "The audience is a great opportunity to show the attractions of Brazil tourism for the world and attract more visitors to the country." Coverage of the World Cup will include 73,000 hours of TV broadcasts in more than 200 countries, "which is equivalent to having a TV turned on uninterrupted for eight years" (EFE, 5/7).