The King’s Christmas Broadcast emerged as the UK’s most-watched television programme on Christmas Day, according to overnight viewing figures.
Almost 7 million viewers tuned in across BBC, ITV, Sky News, and GB News to watch King Charles deliver his annual address, which this year was recorded in Westminster Abbey.
Following the King, the next most popular programme was The Scarecrows’ Wedding on BBC One, attracting 4.3 million viewers.
The animated adaptation is based on the picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, the duo behind The Gruffalo.
It’s important to note that these “overnight” figures exclude audiences watching via catch-up services later in the festive period, as well as those viewing on Sky Showcase, Sky Mix HD, and other non-TV platforms.
In his traditional speech, the King evoked the wartime spirit, urging people to connect with their neighbours and “never lose sight” of the values that bring communities together “in the face of such great challenge”.
Third on the list was Strictly Come Dancing’s Christmas Special, with 4.2 million viewers.
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman co-hosted the show for the final time, closing the festive episode with their signature “keep dancing!” line. Winkleman added that the audience over the years had “meant a world to us”.
Popular soap EastEnders experienced a decline in viewers, placing eighth with 2.85 million watching the first of its two Christmas episodes. Its second episode failed to make the top 10. Other ITV soaps, Coronation Street and Emmerdale, also did not appear in the day’s top 10.
BBC content dominated the list, with nine of the ten most-watched programmes airing on the broadcaster.
ITV’s festive quiz The 1% Club, hosted by Lee Mack, claimed ninth place, drawing 2.75 million viewers.
Reflecting on the results, BBC chief content officer Kate Phillips said the figures serve as “a timely reminder that shared moments really do still matter even in a world of so much choice”.
