It may be embroiled in a number of controversies – but the BBC battered rival ITV in the Christmas Day ratings war.
The Beeb occupied nine of the top ten spots for the most-watched festive television shows, with even its weather forecast trumping ITV’s best-viewed programme.
The King’s Christmas Speech emerged as the single biggest draw, attracting 4.5million viewers, while newcomer Amandaland placed well with 3million viewers.
Animation The Scarecrow’s Wedding proved a surprise hit, too, coming second with an audience of 4.3million – narrowly ahead of Strictly Come Dancing’s 4.2million viewers.
But in a worrying trend for traditional broadcasters, the number of people switching on the box fell dramatically compared to last year.
In 2024, Gavin And Stacey’s audience peaked at 12.5million while Wallace & Gromit drew in 10million on Christmas Day.
In similar fashion, entertainment and drama proved to be the BBC’s strongest weapons this year. The Wheel, with 3.7million viewers, and Call The Midwife, with 3.4million, also occupied 2025’s top ten.
And, in the biggest shock, BBC Weather clocked up 2.8million – outperforming ITV’s top spot The 1% Club, which placed tenth overall with 2.7million viewers.
BBC occupied nine of the top ten spots for the most-watched festive television shows, as newcomer Amandaland placed well with 3million viewers
BBC battered rival ITV in the Christmas Day ratings war as even its weather forecast trumped ITV’s best-viewed programme
The King’s Christmas Speech emerged as the single biggest draw, attracting 4.5million viewers
As Christmas Day drew to a close, the figures revealed the BBC took out nine of the ten most-watched programmes in a repeat of last year’s dominance.
The ratings are no doubt going to be a relief for BBC bosses following a deeply challenging period for the controversy-engulfed broadcaster. It has been rocked by high-profile sexual misconduct scandals, including former newsreader Huw Edwards’ conviction for making indecent images of children, and renewed scrutiny over its historic association with Russell Brand, who denies multiple allegations including rape and sexual assault.
And the BBC has faced intense backlash over its Panorama coverage of Donald Trump during the 2021 Capitol Riots.
Just ten days before Christmas, the US President filed a $10billion lawsuit after it was found to have doctored his speech during the episode.
The strong showing for Strictly also comes after what has been regarded as a challenging year for the fan-favourite show following months of scrutiny and investigations into drug-use and misconduct behind the scenes.
The festive episode saw hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman sign off from the programme. Dressed in festive white and cream outfits, Daly, 56, and Winkleman, 53, shared an emotional hug and dance while the celebrity contestants applauded.
Bringing the show to a close, Daly told viewers: ‘Thank you again for watching us over the years. It has truly meant the world to us.’
Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffatt, 35, and pro partner Vito Coppola, 33, were crowned Christmas champions after earning a perfect score of 40 for their cha cha cha.
All Saints singer Melanie Blatt, 50, who also performed on the Christmas special, has reportedly taken a major step towards replacing Daly and Winkleman.
The duo announced their exits in a joint video on Instagram in October, saying the time had come to ‘pass over the baton’.
