One billion saw 2010 Cup final

ZURICH - The 2010 World Cup final was seen by at least 1 billion people, though the 2008 Beijing Olympics opening ceremony appears to retain the top spot as the most-watched televised event, according to figures published Monday by FIFA.

One year after Spain beat the Netherlands, FIFA released its research that 909.6 million television viewers tuned in to at least one minute of the match at home, and the ratings likely topped one billion people when adding people who watched online and in public viewing places.

FIFA said 619.7 million people watched 20 consecutive minutes of Spain's 1-0 extra-time win.

FIFA said the "average in-home global audience" was 530.9 million for the final played on July 11, 2010, at Johannesburg's Soccer City stadium.

The Olympics opening at Bird's Nest stadium was credited with a 593 million average audience.

FIFA said the 2010 World Cup - comprising 64 matches played by 32 countries over one month - was broadcast in every territory in the world.

More than 3.2 billion people, or 46.4 percent of the population, watched live coverage for a minimum of one minute, according to FIFA's research.

The average official rating was 188.4 million for each match.

FIFA earned $2.4 billion in broadcasting deals tied to the 2010 tournament, according to its financial report published in March.