The figures, which have yet to be consolidated, show that 6.13 million people have used the service for more than one minute since the opening ceremony on 13 August. By pressing the red button viewers can choose up to four extra sports to watch during the Olympic Games.

The figures show that 50 per cent of the available audience have pressed red to interact. The previous highest figure was during this year's Wimbledon when 4.1 million people went interactive for one minute or more.

During the Commonwealth Gamesm a couple of years ago, 3.4 million viewers went interactive.

BBC Sport's head of new media, sports news and development Andrew Thompson added, "The Olympics are perfect for interactive television, because, there are so many events happening at the same time. Before we had the interactive option, hundreds of hours of footage disappeared down a black hole.

"But now with interactive television, viewers have up to four extra sports to choose from and, judging by the initial figures, they are taking full advantage of that."

Over 10 million viewers tuned in for the opening ceremony on BBC Sport in the UK. Nearly four and half million watched Britain's synchronised diving duo Leon Taylor and Peter Waterfield take silver in the 10-metre event on BBC Two.