The 2024 Eurovision Song Contest broke global viewing figures with 163 million viewers tuning in, according to the EBU.

Despite backlash due to Israel’s participation in the show, it demonstrates a rise in viewership across two Semi-Finals and the Grand Final, while the total reach of the contest increased by one million people compared to 2023.

The viewing share for the Grand Final was also 46.7 per cent, making it the highest since 2006 and almost three-times the broadcast channels average of 17.6 per cent.

Germany recorded the highest audience for the Grand Final with an average of 8.1million viewers, with the United Kingdom coming in second with 7.7 million viewers – despite viewing figures being down on last year’s show in Liverpool.

Online figures also saw an increase across digital platforms, with 486 million unique accounts reached on TikTok during Eurovision week, totalling more than four times the reach seen in 2023.

Meanwhile, up to 42 million unique viewers across 231 regions also watched content on the official Eurovision YouTube channel.

Jean Philip De Tender, EBU Deputy Director General, said: “These incredible numbers show the Eurovision Song Contest’s huge global impact – online, on TV and importantly musically.

“We’re thrilled to see a growth in the hundreds of millions tuning in to the live shows on EBU Member channels and record-breaking numbers engaging with the songs and artists on our different digital platforms.”

The 68th Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final saw 25 acts take to the stage to perform for the public vote, following a performance for international juries on Friday.

Switzerland’s Nemo won with their song The Code, which rocketed to the top of the Eurovision scoreboard, leading the jury vote with a massive 365 points and beating Croatia and France to take home the trophy with a total of 591 points.