England-Tunisia Match Most-Watched Program In U.K. This Year

England's World Cup victory over Tunisia was the most-watched TV program in the U.K. so far this year, according to the PA. An average audience of 13.7 million watched the team's opening game of the tournament, which it won 2-1, thanks to goals from captain Harry Kane. Ratings peaked at 18.3 million "during the closing minutes," comprising 69% of all U.K. TV viewers. Gary Lineker, who introduced the match on BBC One, said, "Astonishing for an opening group game. The power of football and the World Cup." The audience figures for the match were "far higher than for the royal wedding in May," as well as '18's previous most-watched program, Britain's Got Talent. In addition, 3 million requests were made to stream the game online via the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport, "the biggest live viewing" for any BBC program online (PA, 6/19).