The Eurovision Song Contest is first of all a TV show and one of the most important features of a TV show are the viewing rates which underline its popularity. During the last decade the TV audience of Europe's favorite TV show has noticeably increased and the statistics prove that more and more people become interested in the Eurovision Song Contest. This year's contest was the most watched programme in several European countries such as Germany (host), the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hungary, Greece and Romania.

The statistics in Germany show that 13,83 million people (49.8%) tuned their TV's on for the grand final of this year's Eurovision Song Contest. The preview show which was broadcasted before the contest also received a positive rank as it received a market share of 23,6. This doesn't come up as a surprise if we think about the fact that Germany was the host country this year.

The Hungarian national broadcaster MTV also reported positive TV viewing rates as 3 million people watched Kati Wolf representing Hungary at Europe's favorite TV show. M1 registered 30% market share during the grand final.

The best news come from the United Kingdom as BBC reported that 9,5 million people have watched the grand final. This is the highest number of viewers since 1999 and almost doubles last year's number. During the voting act more than 12,7 million people tuned in to BBC One (62% market share).

Romania's national broadcaster reported that TVR1 has been leading the audience at the national and urban transmission during the grand final (between 22.00 – 28.01). Nationally, 859,000 viewers watched the competition (which corresponds to an average rating of 4.3% and an average market share of 15.7%), and in the urban public an average of 629,000 viewers (corresponding to an average rating of 5.5% and an average market share of 18.7%). Minute with the largest audience, as expected, was recorded when the boys of Hotel FM performed on stage at 23.20, TVR 1 was followed by 729,000 viewers in urban areas (6.3% rating, share 19%).

Ireland should be proud of Jedward as thanks to them the RTE One scored the largest television audience of the Eurovision Song Contest of the past 15 years. An average number of 1,174,300 viewers tuned their TV's for the grand final. Overall, the programme reached a total of 2,244,600 viewers.

4,7 million people (32,3% market share) from Spain have watched the final of this year's Eurovision Song Contest. The audience peaked at 6,7 million people (42 %). Finland's YLE also received positive feedback as 1,307,000 million people watched the big final while 606,000 people saw Paradise Oskar qualifying from the first semi final. 351,000 people tuned in their TV's in Estonia for the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest with 291,000 watching Getter Jaani qualifying from the second semi final. Also, 2,9 million people in Sweden watched Eric Saade achieving the country's most successful result in the last decade.

In Greece the TV viewing rates reached 73,6% during the grand final making the Eurovision Song Contest the most watched programme on ERT. Up to 4,935,000 million people (26,7 % market share) from France watched Amaury Vassilli performing his song in the grand final.

Negative statistics have been registered in Russia where the contest's popularity is decreasing. 35,9% of the people in Moscow tuned in their TV's for the Eurovision Song Contest, while nationally, 33% of the Russians follow the biggest European TV show.

Another country to register negative feedback is Norway. A total number of 993,000 watched the final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2011, 1 million less than last year. This is the result of Stella Mwangi failing to qualify from the first semi final.