419,000 Kiwis tune into World Cup final

German players celebrate with the trophy after the World Cup final soccer match between Germany and Argentina. Photo / AP

The deciding match of the Fifa World Cup, between Germany and Argentina, attracted a record 419,000 viewers on free-to-air television in New Zealand.

Figures released by the Nielsen Television Audience Measurement service show thousands of people woke up early to catch the final match on TV One at 7am yesterday.

The 419,000 viewers was 42,000 more than those who tuned in to the last Fifa World Cup final game in 2010.

TVNZ general manager for programming, John Kelly, said giving viewers the option of watching the final via online streaming -- as well as on TV -- had also proven to be hugely popular.

The online streaming total for the final match reached more than 100,000 viewers.

"We are thrilled with the number of New Zealanders we reached with our coverage on both platforms and about the quality of programme the team offered," Mr Kelly said.

"Our viewers loved when we offered the option to watch the 2013 America's Cup both online and on television. We were happy they embraced this way of viewing again with Fifa."

Germany beat Argentina 1-0 to take this year's winning title.