King Charles’s Christmas Broadcast Leads Top TV Ratings, BBC Dominates Festive Viewership

On Christmas Day, King Charles’s televised address reigned supreme in TV ratings, leading nine out of the ten most-watched programs aired by the BBC.

The monarch’s message, contemplating the global conflicts, drew an average of 5.9 million viewers. He highlighted the significance of Christian principles, emphasizing the importance of treating others as one wishes to be treated amidst the ongoing international turmoil.

Following closely behind, Strictly Come Dancing secured the second spot, attracting around 5.3 million viewers. The Christmas special featured EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick and Nancy Xu clinching the Silver Star trophy.

Doctor Who’s return to Christmas television claimed third place with a viewership of 4.7 million, showcasing Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa’s debut as the 15th Time Lord, marking the show’s first Christmas special since 2017.

The BBC proudly announced its dominance in Christmas ratings, seizing nine out of the top ten most-watched shows, based on overnight ratings excluding catch-up services.

Charlotte Moore, the BBC’s chief content officer, emphasized the importance of the network’s Christmas lineup in uniting audiences and expressed gratitude for the viewers’ appreciation of the diverse and high-quality programming.

However, both the King’s address and Strictly garnered fewer viewers compared to the previous year. King Charles’s inaugural recorded address in 2022, reflecting on the late Queen’s passing, drew an average of 8.1 million viewers, marking a decrease in viewership compared to the prior year.

In the overall rankings, the festive edition of comedy series Ghosts and the traditional favorite Call the Midwife each captured an average of 4.4 million viewers on BBC One, while Michael McIntyre’s Christmas Wheel attracted 4.2 million viewers, securing sixth place. Conversely, ITV’s soap operas Coronation Street and Emmerdale failed to make the top 10, achieving viewerships of 2.6 million and 1.9 million, respectively.