Finals had over 700 million TV audience

FIFA World Cup finals between Spain and Netherlands attracted more than 700 million television audience, according to the tournament's organizers.

Spain had 15.6 million viewers (approximately 1 out of 3 Spaniards) while the Netherlands boasted 8.5 million viewers (about half the Dutch population).

The 700-million figure was basically a prediction made by the organizers based on past games.

TV deals were signed allowing every country in the world to watch the Netherlands play Spain, the New York Post quoted FIFA's Head of Television, Niclas Ericson, as saying as according to ANI reports.

"We think [Sunday's match] will be bigger than the 2006 World Cup final, which was, I believe, around 700 million," Ericson added.

Meanwhile, almost 25 million Americans were glued to their television set during the finals of the FIFA World Cup finals between Spain and Netherlands at the finals.

According to Nielsen, 24.3 million people watched the game, which ran two-and-a-half-hours. Walt Disney Co.'s ABC had 15.5 million viewers while Univision drew 8.8 million viewers. The broadcast was most watched soccer game in American television.

FIFA reported that ratings in the US rose 50 percent from the 2006 tournament.

If the World Cup final meets predictions, it will beat the estimated 600 million viewers for the opening ceremony at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, which was the biggest event in recent years.

Oneindia News