The Queen’s speech is most watched show on Christmas Day as 8.1MILLION tune in – beating Call the Midwife and Strictly – but overall TV viewers plummet with 12M switching off
- Queen’s Christmas message was most-watched programme on Christmas Day
- Call The Midwife’s Christmas Day special watched by an average of 5.4 million
- Blankety Blank Christmas Special, presented by Bradley Walsh, saw 5.3 million
The Queen’s Christmas message was the most-watched programme on Christmas Day with 8.1 million tuning in across all channels but overall TV viewers plummeted.
The monarch’s annual message, which praised the ‘indomitable spirit’ of those who have risen to the challenges of the pandemic, was watched by 6.3 million on BBC One – but this was down from 6.4 million last year.
Call The Midwife’s Christmas Day special on BBC One, which starred Stephen McGann as Dr Patrick Turner, was watched by an average of 5.4 million viewers.
The monarch’s annual message, which praised the ‘indomitable spirit’ of those who have risen to the challenges of the pandemic, was watched by 6.3million on BBC One – but this was down from 6.4 million last year
The top ten TV specials of 2020 saw 46 million overnight viewers compared with 58 million last year with such viewership figures not seen since records began, according to The Sunday Telegraph.
In her televised speech, the 94-year-old monarch paid tribute to the ‘kindness of strangers’ whose actions have inspired all and said that even the ‘darkest nights’ have a promise of a ‘new dawn’.
Other shows to top the charts included the Blankety Blank Christmas Special which was presented by Bradley Walsh and raked in 5.3 million people when it aired at 7pm.
Call The Midwife’s Christmas Day special on BBC One, which starred Stephen McGann as Dr Patrick Turner, was watched by an average of 5.4 million viewers
Meanwhile the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Countdown, was watched by 4.9 million, and left viewers in tears as Caroline Flack was remembered on the show.
The programme, which marked the 25 best moments on the show in its 15 year history, paid tribute to the former champion by showing her ‘beautiful’ showdance and Charleston.
Caroline tragically took her own life aged 40 on February 15 in the run up to her trial for the alleged assault of her boyfriend Lewis Burton.
Other shows to top the charts included the Blankety Blank Christmas Special which was presented by Bradley Walsh and raked in 5.3 million people when it aired at 7pm
Away from the glitz and glamour of the Strictly dance floor, 4.5 million tuned in to ITV’s Coronation Street while Emmerdale was watched by 3.6 million.
The Christmas special of comedy BBC One’s Mrs Brown’s Boys attracted 3.8 million viewers, while EastEnders was watched 3.5 million.
BBC One gameshow The Wheel, hosted by Michael McIntyre, was watched by an average of 4.7 million viewers, and featured celebrity guests including Holly Willoughby, Oti Mabuse and Alan Carr.
Strictly viewers were left in tears as the show paid tribute to former winner Caroline Flack by showing her ‘beautiful’ show dance on Christmas Countdown
The evening’s festivities ended with a Mrs Browns Boys Christmas Special which aired at 10.05pm
Kate Phillips, acting controller of BBC One, said: ‘BBC One had the most popular show on Christmas Day as audiences escaped to Poplar for the Call The Midwife special.
‘I’m really proud of the range and quality of programmes we’ve shown across this special day.
‘BBC One entertained the nation and provided something for everyone to enjoy after a particularly difficult year.’
The figures were supplied to the BBC by the Broadcasters’ Audience Research Board (Barb).