Around the World, Most People Know About the Royal Wedding, Though Few Plan to Watch

SHELTON, Conn., April 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- With less than a week before the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey, a new Survey Sampling International (SSI) survey shows that 89% of respondents around the world are aware of the upcoming nuptials.  In spite of the high awareness, only 10% globally say that they will "definitely watch" the ceremony.  Unsurprisingly, the UK has the greatest percentage of participants (18%) saying they will "definitely watch."  Interest is also high in China, where 15% have definite plans to tune in, as well as in Australia, where 14% are committed to viewing the royal couple tie the knot.  In the US, only 9% say they definitely plan to view the wedding.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, 20% of respondents globally say that they definitely will not watch the festivities.  The French seem least interested in the wedding, with 36% saying they definitely will not be viewing the ceremony. Almost a third of both Germans (32%) and Americans (30%) also state they will definitely not watch the royal wedding.

SSI's findings are based on a study of 4,000+ adults drawn from its online panels.  Countries covered include the US, UK, Australia, China, Germany, France, Japan and Singapore.  SSI offers extensive worldwide reach to support survey research through SSI Dynamix™, its dynamic sampling platform that links to its own global panels, social media, affiliate partners, online communities and more.  

The Majority of Global Respondents Rate Media Coverage as "Just Right"

More than half of respondents (53%) aware of the royal marriage believe the media coverage has been "just the right amount."  A substantial percentage (45%), however, believe the media attention is excessive.

About Survey Sampling International

Survey Sampling International (www.surveysampling.com) is the premier global provider of sampling solutions for survey research. SSI reaches respondents in 72 countries via Internet, telephone and mobile/wireless.  Value-add services include questionnaire design consultation, programming and hosting, and data processing.  SSI serves more than 2,000 clients, including 48 of the top 50 research organizations. Founded in 1977, SSI has 17 offices in 15 countries.

SOURCE Survey Sampling International (SSI)