Last week, Nik Wallenda not only crossed Arizona's Grand Canyon - he also beat the broadcasters. Wallenda's live feat - in which he became the first person to high-wire walk across a Grand Canyon gorge - drew huge ratings for the Discovery Channel early on Monday morning (Hong Kong time). Skywire Live With Nik Wallenda aired live in 223 countries and territories, and across the United States, with 13 million Americans alone tuning in for the climax, when the daredevil strode his way across the wire in just under 23 minutes.
Wallenda's successful stunt also generated 71 per cent of TV-related social-media commentary in the US on Sunday - despite the fact that competition on other channels included the season-six finale of 1960s drama Mad Men.
Los Angeles Times