King's Speech Tops Christmas TV Ratings with 5.5 Million Viewers

His Majesty King Charles III delivered the most-watched broadcast on Christmas Day, with his poignant festive message drawing millions to their screens. However, the overall figures reveal a continuing challenge for traditional television as audiences increasingly fragment.

A Royal Victory in the Ratings

The King's Christmas speech, broadcast on both BBC One and ITV, attracted a combined audience of 5.5 million viewers. In his address, King Charles called for unity and community spirit in a divided world, resonating with the largest single audience of the day.

The BBC secured a commanding position, claiming nine out of the ten most-watched programmes on traditional television. The sole exception was ITV's quiz show The 1% Club, hosted by Lee Mack, which managed to break into the list.

Animation and Entertainment Secure the Top Spots

Following the royal address, the animated adaptation of The Scarecrows' Wedding proved to be a major hit. The beloved Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler story, narrated by Sophie Okonedo, captivated 4.3 million viewers, making it the most popular non-news programme.

This performance surpassed last year's animated offering, Tiddler, which attracted 3.2 million. In third place, the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special drew 4.2 million viewers, a slight increase on 2024, as hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman presented the show for the final time.

A Changing Landscape for Christmas Viewing

Despite the BBC's dominance in the traditional broadcast rankings, the viewing numbers paint a sobering picture compared to previous years. In 2024, the finale of Gavin and Stacey attracted a massive average of 12.3 million, while a new Wallace and Gromit film pulled in over nine million.

Industry analysts suggest the decline underscores a significant shift in family habits, with more viewers opting for streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube over scheduled linear TV. Kate Phillips, the BBC’s Chief Content Officer, acknowledged the trend while championing the role of public service broadcasting.

"We’re proud of the fact that people come together on the BBC at Christmas," Phillips said. "Having nine out of the top ten shows on Christmas Day is a timely reminder that shared moments really do still matter even in a world of so much choice."

She also highlighted upcoming major series for 2026, including new runs of The Traitors and The Night Manager.