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BBC defeats ITV again in World Cup final viewing figures

Mon, 20 Jul 2026

BBC’s average audience was 9.7m, four times as much as its rival – similar to its lead four years ago

Their respective World Cup studios have been pored over, their lineup of pundits analysed almost as much as the matches. But when it came to the tournament’s final, the result was clear – audiences once again picked the BBC over ITV.

Four times as many people turned to the BBC to watch Spain secure victory over a belligerent Argentina, very similar to its lead over ITV four years ago.

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