World Cup 2010: Spain v Germany semifinal peaks at 14.5m UK viewers

Audiences for the 2010 World Cup continue to grow as the tournament reaches its climax, with Spain's 1-0 semifinal win over Germany attracting a live match average of nearly 12 million viewers last night, Wednesday 7 July. Spain v Germany had a live match average of 11.7 million viewers and a 48.8% audience share across BBC1 and BBC HD between 7.30pm and 9.25pm. BBC HD's share of this audience about 950,000 and a 4% share. Viewing peaked at 14.5 million (55.3%) across BBC1 and BBC HD in the five minutes from 9.15pm. Full coverage, including pre- and post-match comment and analysis, averaged 8.889 million (38.4%) on BBC1 and 777,000 (3.4%) on BBC HD between 7pm and 10pm. Last night's football topped the previous audience high for a non-England match in the 2010 World Cup, Tuesday's first semifinal in which Holland defeated Uruguay 3-2, which had 9.641 million (41.4%) across ITV1 and ITV1 HD . Elsewhere last night, the sixth series of Desperate Housewives concluded on Channel 4 with 1.583 million (8.1%) from 10pm, with a further 138,000 (1.5%) on Channel 4 +1. BBC2's new Jimmy Doherty series The Private Life of Cows launched with 1.566 million (6.4%) from 8pm, while the same channel's documentary, In Loving Memory, attracted 800,000 (3.4%) from 9pm. Five main terrestrial analogue networks BBC1, BBC2, ITV1, Channel 4, Channel Five (available in all UK homes with TV, except Five, which reaches about 95%) ITV1 7pm: Emmerdale - 5.727 million/29.9%, ITV1 HD 102,000/0.5% 10.35pm: World Cup Highlights - 800,00/6.1%, ITV1 HD 3,000 Channel 4 8pm: Big Brother - 1.583 million/6.5%, C4+1 383,000/1.6% 9pm: The Sex Education Show: Am I Normal? - 2.303 million/9.4%, C4+1 483,000/2.7% Five 9pm: NCIS - 1.528 million/6.2% All ratings are unofficial overnight figures, including live and same day timeshifted (recorded) viewing, but excluding on demand, HD, +1 or other – unless otherwise stated • To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email [email protected] or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. • If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication"