The Duke of Sussex’s television interview with ITV about his controversial autobiography Spare has aired in 77 territories around the world, ITV Studios has said.
Harry: The Interview, which first broadcast in the UK on Sunday night, saw the duke sit down with ITV journalist Tom Bradby to discuss some of the key revelations from the memoir ahead of its release on Tuesday.
The 90-minute programme drew an average TV audience of 4.1 million, based on overnight figures released by ITV, making it the channel’s highest rating for a factual programme for more than a year.
The in-depth interview has now been viewed across Europe, Africa and the Middle East as well as Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Canada and Brazil after a series of global deals were secured.
ITV Studios has said before the interview aired it brokered arrangements with channels across Europe while networks across the globe secured the rights for certain countries.
Among these, a pan-African deal with South African television channel M-Net sees the interview available in 54 territories.
ITV bosses have said more deals are to be announced across the globe in the following days.
During the course of ITV’s special programme, Harry accused members of the royal family of “getting into bed with the devil”, referring to the tabloid press, to improve their image.
Other key moments from the interview included Harry claiming it was “fair” to say the Prince and Princess of Wales did not like Meghan from the beginning, and accusing the royal family of a “really horrible reaction” on the day of the Queen’s death.
Ruth Berry, managing director of global distribution at ITV Studios, said: “We have been thrilled to give our global buyers the chance to show Tom Bradby’s extraordinary interview with Prince Harry so soon after its original broadcast, and for their viewers to experience the story behind the headlines first-hand.”
Ian Rumsey, ITN productions managing director and executive producer, added: “We are delighted to partner with ITV Studios on this landmark interview.
“Their unrivalled influence across the globe has ensured that audiences worldwide can share in this unprecedented and historic moment.”
Harry also conducted three more interviews in the lead-up to the book’s publication, including a sit-down with Anderson Cooper for 60 Minutes on CBS News and Michael Strahan of Good Morning America, which have already aired.
Another interview with Stephen Colbert on The Late Show on CBS is due to be broadcast in the early hours of Wednesday morning, UK time.
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