PEOPLE from all around the world were able to enjoy Reading Fringe Digital with viewers as far away as Australia tuning in.

Thousands of households were reached during the first ever online version of Reading's Fringe Festival including people in Australia, Asia and Europe.

Notably, there were more than 400 users in the United States of America too.

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Reading Fringe Digital, which offered more than 70 shows across 10 days in July, built on its strong local following by attracting the attention of audiences across the country and internationally.

After the record-breaking 2019 event saw attendance surge by 60 per cent to 5,000 at venues across Reading, the online-only 2020 programme extended its reach even further, to more than 10,000 households.

Domestically Reading, London, Bristol and Wokingham were the hotspots.

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Fringe director Zsuzsi Lindsay said: “To reach 10,000 households exceeded our expectations and we are so thrilled that the innovation and enthusiasm of our artists, partners and team was matched by audience interest.

"We are particularly delighted to have made this our most accessible festival yet, with the majority of shows free to watch – thanks to the support of Arts Council England and National Lottery ticket-buyers - and over half of them captioned.

"It is an uncertain time for our industry this has been incredibly encouraging, but whatever form the Fringe takes in the future there will definitely be a digital element.”

More than 60 events – covering comedy, dance, music, photography, spoken word, theatre and more – will remain viewable on readingfringefestival.co.uk until August 31.