Jubilant nation brought together to spy on BB3: the beautiful game may be drawing huge audiences following England's historical defeat of Argentina, but Big Brother is winning the ratings war. (Media).

Marketing Week, June, 2002 by Torin Douglas

So we've become a nation of early-risers and long-lunchers. The World Cup 2002 has defied sceptics' predictions and grabbed large television audiences, despite early kick-off times.

England's famous victory against Argentina at lunchtime last Friday attracted 13.3 million viewers, according to the BARB overnight figures, and we know that is a significant underestimate because BARB only measures viewing in homes, Millions of others saw the match at work or in pubs, clubs and restaurants or on large screens in city centres. The BBC estimates the true figure to be about 24 million, following telephone research earlier in the year, which found that 45 per cent of those intending to watch England matches on a weekday said they'd do so away from their home.

...