Nation Seeks Information As Events Unfold

There were large TV audiences and an increase in newspaper print-runs as the nation sought explanations for the tragic death of Diana, Princess of Wales.

As events unfolded throughout the day on Sunday viewing built up on ITV, BBC1 and BBC2 to a peak of around 19 million as people tuned in to watch the body of the Princess being brought back to Britain. Unofficial data suggests that people regularly switched between both ITV’s and BBC’s coverage.

It is believed that the Sun and The Times increased their print-run by 50%, with the tabloid title reported to havesold an extra million copies yesterday. The Guardian also increased its production by 50%, while the Express increased by 20% and the Daily Star by 10%.

All UK tabloids, along with the Daily Telegraph , produced special pull-out sections providing tributes to the Princess’s life, while the other broadsheets devoted most of their pages to the subject.

…Tomorrow’s Lottery draw will take place but will not be televised while the Saturday draw will be moved to Sunday morning and again will not be televised. Tonight’s Lethal Weapon 3 will now be replaced by Field of Dreams.