Channel 4 have reportedly entered the race to broadcast Queen Elizabeth II’s speech this Christmas after a reported ‘royal falling out’ with the BBC.
The Royal Family recently released a statement criticising the BBC, and are reportedly now boycotting the broadcaster.
Why could the BBC lose Queen Elizabeth II’s Christmas speech?
The Royal Christmas message has been broadcast since 1932 when it was broadcast over the radio. Queen Elizabeth II has delivered the Royal Christmas Message since 1952.
It has been broadcast on television by the BBC since 1957.
However, the BBC is reportedly in danger of losing out on this year’s Christmas message following a recent ‘falling out’ with the Royal Family.
Read more: Kate and William announce big Christmas news following uncertainty
The falling-out comes after the BBC broadcasted a documentary called ‘The Princes and the Press’. The documentary suggested that aides of Prince William were briefing against Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Buckingham Palace dismissed the claims as unfounded. In a rare joint statement, the Royal Households condemned the BBC’s decision to air the documentary. The statement was shown at the end of the documentary.
It read: “A free, responsible and open press is of vital importance to a healthy democracy. However, too often it is overblown and unfounded claims from unnamed sources that are presented as facts and it is disappointing when anyone, including the BBC, gives them credibility.”
It is believed that Prince William and Kate Middleton’s Christmas carol concert will now air on ITV, rather than the BBC.
What’s been said about Channel 4’s bid to air Queen Elizabeth’s Christmas Message?
Now a source has told The Sun that Channel 4 have joined the race to get the broadcast rights for Queen Elizabeth’s Christmas message this year.
They said: “This is a b0ld and unprecedented move from Channel 4. But they are a public broadcaster, too, and don’t have any axes to grind.
“They’ve made it clear that they would like to film the speech this year – especially if the Royals punish the Beeb and withdraw their rights, although that doesn’t seem likely.”
The source then went on to say that the broadcaster would “love” to show Queen Elizabeth’s speech this Christmas.
A Channel 4 spokesperson said: “Channel 4 hasn’t approached the Palace. However if they would like to reach a different audience, we’d be happy to broadcast the Queen’s speech as part of the bumper line-up of shows that we have on Christmas Day – Terry Pratchett’s Abominable Snow Baby, Great British Bake Off and Gogglebox festive specials and, as ever, Home Alone 2.”
Will Channel 4 continue to air their alternative Christmas messages?
Every year since 1993, Channel 4 has broadcast their own, alternative, controversial Christmas messages. Last year they broadcast their own version of the Queen’s speech, which consisted of a deep-faked Queen Elizabeth dancing on her desk. In the alternative broadcast, the ‘Queen’ also shared her thoughts about ‘Megxit’.
The alternative Royal Christmas message received 200 Ofcom complaints when it aired on Christmas Day last year.
Read more: William and Kate’s ‘Christmas carol concert to be shown on ITV after BBC ban’
It is unknown whether the broadcaster will show an alternative Christmas message again this year. It is believed, however, that they won’t if they do get the rights to broadcast the Queen’s Christmas speech.
ED! has contacted the BBC for a comment on this story.
The Queen’s Christmas Broadcast will air on Christmas Day.
Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think of this story.