TV

Christmas Day 2018 viewing figures have been released!

The Queen's speech was most-watched

Comic Michael McIntyre and the Queen have notched up the most viewed broadcasts on Christmas Day.

With 6.1 million viewers, Michael McIntyre’s Big Christmas Show, on BBC One, was the surprise hit of the day.

It beat the Strictly, Call The Midwife and Mrs Brown’s Boys’ Christmas specials.

But when audiences on channels are combined, the Queen’s Christmas Day broadcast overtook the funnyman.

Michael came out on top (Credit: PA)

Read more: Shocking decline in Christmas Day viewing figures

It enjoyed a combined audience of 6.3 million on BBC One (5.2 million) and ITV (1.1 million), which includes plus-one, and it was also broadcast on Sky.

But the figures have dropped from the 7.5 million that the broadcast attracted on BBC One and ITV last year.

The BBC features in nine of the top 10 shows of the day, with ITV’s highest rating programme going to Coronation Street, which was watched by 4.6 million, including plus-one.

Its Torvill and Dean biopic had glowing reviews but did not make the top 10 – with 2.9 million viewers.

Torvill and Dean didn’t set the world on fire (Credit: ITV)

Read more: ‘Cheated’ Strictly star wins Christmas special

Other shows in the top 10 include The Jungle Book film, EastEnders and children’s favourite, Zog.

McIntyre’s Big Christmas Show, the top-rated single channel show, was recorded at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, and featured live music from Welsh soprano Katherine Jenkins.

Top 10 Christmas Day TV 2018

1. Michael McIntyre’s Big Christmas Show, BBC One, 6.1 million

2. Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special, BBC One, 5.8 million

3. Call The Midwife Christmas Special, BBC One, 5.5 million

4.  The Queen’s Christmas Broadcast, BBC One, 5.2 million

5. The Jungle Book, BBC One, 5.2 million

6.  EastEnders, BBC One, 5 million

7.  BBC News, BBC One, 4.7 million

8. Mrs Brown’s Boys Christmas Special, BBC One, 4.7 million

9. Coronation Street, ITV, 4.6 million, includes plus-one

10. Zog, BBC One, 4.5 million

Mrs Brown pulled ’em in again (Credit: BBC)

What did you watch? And what will you be watching Boxing Day evening?  Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know!


Kaggie Hyland
Editor-in-Chief