Americans Glued To Royal Wedding

Millions of Americans woke up early on Saturday, 19 May 2018, to watch Prince Harry marry Meghan Markle. The wedding, which took place at Windsor Castle in England, drew an estimated 29 million viewers in the US across 15 networks.

The wedding was watched by 29.2 million Americans

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was a highly anticipated event, with millions of Americans tuning in to witness the royal nuptials. The ceremony, which took place at Windsor Castle in England, was not just a significant event for the British royal family but also captivated audiences across the United States.

On that day, an estimated 29.2 million Americans across 15 different broadcast and cable networks watched as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle exchanged their vows. The event started early in the morning, with the ceremony officially beginning at 7 a.m. EST and concluding at 8:15 a.m. EST. Despite the early hour, the wedding attracted a substantial audience, with many choosing to wake up early to join in the celebration.

The high viewership numbers can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the wedding held special significance as Markle is an American and one of the first mixed-race members of the British royal family. This historic moment, with its focus on celebrating Markle's heritage, naturally drew a larger American audience. Secondly, the wedding was highly publicised, with extensive media coverage leading up to the event. Networks invested significant resources, with some sending multiple correspondents to England and securing exclusive deals to obtain the best views and coverage.

The royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was more than just a spectacle; it was a cultural moment that brought people together. The event's popularity extended beyond traditional television viewing, with 6.9 million interactions on Facebook and Twitter, demonstrating the widespread interest and engagement surrounding the wedding.

The impressive ratings reflect the impact of this royal union, showcasing how a wedding can transcend borders and unite people in a shared experience, even if only for a brief moment in time.

NBC had the highest viewership

NBC's high viewership numbers can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, NBC has historically had the strongest news division and Saturday morning news programs in terms of ratings. They also invested significant resources into their coverage of the royal wedding. For example, they struck a deal with a local hotel to get exclusive views of Windsor Castle, which is typically off-limits to cameras. Additionally, they sent more than ten correspondents to England to cover the event.

NBC's coverage of the wedding was hosted by prominent personalities such as Megyn Kelly, Kathie Lee Gifford, and Al Roker, who were dispersed amongst the crowds. The network also had a correspondent on the ground to host their Snapchat show, "Stay Tuned," providing viewers with additional content and perspectives on the wedding.

The high viewership numbers on NBC and other networks can also be attributed to the unique aspects of the wedding itself. The marriage of a British royal to an American, Meghan Markle, who is also one of the first mixed-race members of the British royal family, was historic and of greater interest to US viewers. The wedding unapologetically centred on Markle's blackness, featuring a black American preacher and a gospel choir.

The timing of the wedding may have also contributed to the high viewership numbers. It took place on a Saturday morning, making it more accessible to viewers than if it had been held on a weekday. All these factors combined to make the royal wedding a major ratings success for NBC and other US networks.

ABC was second, with 6.3 million viewers

ABC News Network was second in terms of viewers for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding, with 6.3 million viewers tuning in to watch the ceremony. This was slightly less than NBC, which averaged 6.4 million viewers, but significantly more than CBS, which averaged 4.8 million. ABC's coverage relied on a string of royal experts to provide commentary on the event.

ABC's position as the second most-watched network for the royal wedding is impressive given the strong competition. NBC, for example, had historically been the leader for news programs, with the strongest news division. CBS, meanwhile, had secured a deal with a hotel to get views of Windsor Castle, which is usually off-limits to cameras, and sent over 10 correspondents to England. Despite this, ABC still managed to attract a significant number of viewers, demonstrating the popularity of the royal wedding and the interest it generated among Americans.

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attracted a large audience in the United States, with almost 30 million people watching on US broadcast alone. This was significantly higher than the number of viewers for the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011, which had 22.8-23 million viewers. The high viewership for Harry and Meghan's wedding can be attributed to several factors, including the fact that Markle is American and one of the first mixed-race members of the British royal family. The timing of the wedding may have also played a role, as it took place on a Saturday morning, giving more people the opportunity to tune in.

The royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was a highly anticipated event, and the viewership numbers reflect the interest and excitement surrounding the ceremony. With 6.3 million viewers, ABC played a significant role in broadcasting the event to a large American audience, contributing to the overall high viewership numbers.

CBS averaged 4.8 million viewers

CBS, which has traditionally been the weakest news network of the Big Three, averaged 4.8 million viewers for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding. This was significantly lower than NBC, which averaged 6.4 million viewers, and ABC, which averaged 6.3 million viewers.

CBS dedicated six hours of coverage to the wedding and ran a wedding recap special on Saturday night. The network also aired a prime-time special on Meghan Markle in April.

The high viewership for the wedding can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, Markle is an American, which likely increased interest from American audiences. Secondly, the wedding took place on a Saturday, allowing more people to tune in compared to the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, which occurred on a Friday when most Americans had to work. Additionally, the increased number of channels airing the wedding (15 compared to 11 for William and Kate's wedding) likely contributed to the higher viewership.

The royal wedding was a significant event for US television networks, with almost 30 million people tuning in across all networks. The event attracted more viewers than other popular shows such as the Oscars and Game of Thrones.

The wedding was live-streamed on several platforms

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was a highly anticipated event, with millions of viewers tuning in from across the globe. While the ceremony was aired on 15 US television networks, it was also live-streamed on several online platforms, allowing viewers to watch from any device, anywhere in the world.

The live streaming of the royal wedding opened up access to a wider audience, especially those who may not have had traditional television access. This could include younger viewers or those located outside of the United States. With the convenience of live streaming, viewers could choose to watch the wedding on their computers, laptops, or mobile devices, making it easier than ever to tune in to the highly anticipated event.

While the exact numbers of live-stream viewers are not yet available, it is safe to assume that the total audience for the wedding was significantly higher than the reported television viewership. Live streaming provides an alternative way to consume content, and with the popularity of the royal wedding, it is likely that many individuals took advantage of this option to witness the historic event.

The decision to live stream the wedding on multiple platforms was a recognition of the evolving nature of media consumption. By offering live streaming, the event organisers and broadcasters acknowledged the importance of digital platforms and the desire for instant access to content. This decision not only increased the overall reach of the wedding but also provided viewers with greater flexibility and convenience in how they chose to watch.

The live streaming of the royal wedding between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was a testament to the power of technology in bringing people together. By utilising online platforms, the event became accessible to a global audience, allowing people from all walks of life to share in the joy and celebration of the royal nuptials.

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