King Charles III's annual Christmas broadcast emerged as the single most-watched television programme across the United Kingdom on Christmas Day, drawing an audience of nearly seven million people.
Monarch's Message of Unity Resonates
Recorded within the historic surroundings of Westminster Abbey, the monarch's address was broadcast across multiple channels including the BBC, ITV, Sky News, and GB News. Official overnight data from the Broadcast Audience Research Board (Barb) confirmed that approximately 6.56 million viewers tuned in to hear the King's reflections.
In his speech, King Charles paid tribute to the "great diversity of our communities" and called upon the nation to actively "cherish the values of compassion and reconciliation". The viewing figure was broadly consistent with the audience for his inaugural Christmas message the previous year.
Festive Ratings Battle Sees Comedy Triumph
While the King's speech led the day's individual programme rankings, the overall ratings champion for Christmas Day 2024 was the long-awaited final farewell episode of the beloved sitcom Gavin and Stacey. The special attracted an impressive average of 12.3 million viewers, making it the most-watched Christmas Day programme in 16 years.
The festive schedule offered a mix of family entertainment and drama. Securing second place was the BBC One adaptation of The Scarecrows' Wedding, based on the popular picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, which captivated 4.3 million viewers.
In third position was the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special, which marked the final joint hosting appearance of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. The episode, watched by 4.2 million, concluded with an emotional farewell embrace between the two presenters.
BBC Dominates Top Ten Listings
Despite a challenging year, BBC executives received a boost as the public broadcaster's programmes claimed nine out of the top ten slots in the Christmas Day ratings. Kate Phillips, the BBC's chief content officer, described the figures as "a timely reminder that shared moments really do still matter even in a world of so much choice".
The only non-BBC entry in the top ten was ITV1's festive edition of The 1% Club, hosted by Lee Mack, which secured ninth place with 2.75 million viewers. Meanwhile, EastEnders experienced a decline, with its first Christmas episode attracting 2.85 million viewers, placing eighth.
It is important to note that these overnight figures do not account for viewers who catch up on programmes via on-demand services during the rest of the festive period.
Top 10 Most Watched Christmas Day TV Shows 2024:
- The King's Christmas Broadcast – 6.56m
- The Scarecrows' Wedding – 4.31m
- Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special – 4.24m
- Michael McIntyre's The Wheel – 3.71m
- Call the Midwife – 3.44m
- Gladiators – 3.16m
- Amandaland – 3.05m
- EastEnders – 2.85m
- The 1% Club – 2.75m
- The Weakest Link – 2.63m
