KINGSTON, Ontario (CelebrityAccess) — The final sold-out concert by beloved Canadian rock band The Tragically Hip on Saturday night attracted millions of viewers according to the Canadian Broadcasting company.
According to the company's preliminary audience figures, almost 12 million people tuned in across multiple platforms. The concert was carried as a commercial free event on both radio and television and was live streamed via the CBC's website, apps, YouTube channel and Facebook page.
The TV broadcast alone averaged four million viewers, the CBC said.
The sold out show at the Rogers K-Rock Centre in band's hometown of Kingston was the final show of the band's Man Machine Poem tour, and likely the final show period for the band. The tour was announced as a farewell for the band after lead singer Gord Downie revealed in May that he has terminal brain cancer.
"It was an honour and a privilege for CBC to bring this unprecedented event to audiences across the country and around the world. This is public broadcasting at its very best," said Heather Conway, CBC's executive vice-president of English services.
"For nearly three hours on a summer Saturday night, an entire nation paused to celebrate and pay tribute together. Thank you to Gord, Paul, Rob, Gord and Johnny for an intimate and unforgettable shared experience."
The concert, which featured the Hip performing a nearly three-hour set to an enthusiastic crowd that included Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau saw fans expressing their love for Gordie and the band in countless tributes. As well, shortly before the band took the stage, the audience burst into an impromptu singing of "O Canada," the country's national anthem. – Staff Writers
Watch the Tragically Hip perform "New Orleans Is Sinking" one of the final songs at their final show
