All Blacks top TV ratings with French nailbiter

A record number of Kiwis tuned in to watch the All Blacks lift the Rugby World Cup. Photo / Ron Burgin

It's official - the All Blacks are more popular than Princess Diana, the Olympics and David Tua.

More than two million Kiwis tuned in to watch the All Blacks' nailbiting win against France in the Rugby World Cup 2011 final, making it the most-watched television event this country has seen.

New figures out today from ratings agency Neilson show 2,036,900 people watched the game around the country across four channels, TV One, TV3, Sky and Maori Television.

That's 12,900 more than the second most-watched television event - last weekend's 20-6 All Blacks drubbing of Australia, and 106,900 more than third place, New Zealand's opening game against Tonga.

It also beats David Tua's 2000 boxing bout against Lennox Lewis in fourth place (1,930,000), a One News Special on Princess Diana's 1997 death in fifth place (1,703,310) and the opening ceremony for the 2000 Olympics in sixth place (1,654,310).

And it's more than half a million more than those who watched the All Blacks lose to France at the 2007 event, which earned 1,410,410 viewers.

New Zealand's top 12 television events:

1. RWC 2011 Final (NZ v France): 2,036,900
2. RWC 2011 Semi-final (NZ v Australia): 2,024,000
3. RWC 2011 Opening Game (NZ v Tonga): 1,930,000
4. Boxing - Tua vs Lewis: 1,841,230
5. One News Special - Diana's death: 1,703,310
6. 2000 Olympics Opening Ceremony: 1,654,310
7. One News Special - Diana's Funeral: 1,649,710
8. RWC 2011 Quarter final (NZ v Argentina): 1,624,400
9. RWC 2003 Final (England v Australia): 1,604,800
10. Diana Exclusive: 1,516,780
11. RWC 2011 Opening Ceremony: 1,499,160
12. RWC 2007 (NZ v France): 1,410,410

- Herald online