ladbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Queen's funeral is expected to become the world's most watched broadcast of all time

Queen's funeral is expected to become the world's most watched broadcast of all time

Industry experts suggest more than half of the world's population could tune in

The Queen's funeral is predicted to be the most watched broadcast of all time, with industry experts suggesting more than half of the world's population could tune in.

Following the news that the monarch had died aged 96, the date for her funeral was set to take place at Westminster Abbey on September 19 at 11:00am.

UK viewers will be able to watch the event live on BBC One, BBC News, BBC iPlayer, and ITV's main and digital channels.

The Queen's funeral could be the most viewed broadcast in history.
PA Images/Alamy Stock Photo

But thanks to increased connectivity, it's believed a whopping 4.1 billion people from across the globe will be tuning in too, according to industry experts.

If this does play out, this will far surpass previous broadcasting records including the 3.6 billion people who reportedly watched Muhammad Ali open the Atlanta Olympics in 1996 and the 2005 Live 8 which drew in 2 billion viewers.

Speaking about the funeral, Carolina Beltramo, TV analyst at WatchTVAbroad.com, said: "Such is the love and admiration for Queen Elizabeth II around the world that her funeral is destined to be the biggest live TV event in history.

"Generations of people across the globe won't have been alive the last time pomp and pageantry were seen on this scale. 

"While it's a sad occasion, they can be forgiven for being enthralled by a spectacle that echoes throughout history.

"For that reason alone they'll be drawn to witness the dawn of this new age in their billions."

She continued: "No fewer than 4.1 billion people are expected to tune in on Monday to witness this historic moment as half the people on planet Earth pause to pay their respects.

"Thanks to advances in technology, which mean most of us now carry TVs around in our pockets, audience figures will eclipse the opening ceremony of the Atlanta Olympics, when 3.6 billion people watched Muhammad Ali light the Olympic torch in 1996.

Muhammad Ali lighting the Olympic torch in 1996 is currently the most viewed TV event.
REUTERS/Alamy Stock Photo

"In contrast, an estimated 2.5 billion people watched the service for Diana, Princess of Wales, 25 years ago, with 31 million Brits tuning in."

The funeral of the Queen is set to be a bank holiday in the UK, where many people will get the day off work.

A number of coded operations are now in place as a period of national mourning continues, including Operation Feather, which relates to all-important crowd control measures. 

People have been flocking to London in their droves to pay their respects to the deceased royal as she lies in state.

As such, Operation Feather has been deployed which includes stringent rules and police offers to assist in the management with queues outside.

Featured Image Credit: Allstar Picture Library Ltd/Alamy/BBC

Topics: The Queen, TV and Film, World News, UK News, Royal Family