LONDON, December 26, 2025 — King Charles’ Christmas address captivated the United Kingdom, drawing 6.56 million viewers and becoming the most-watched television program on Christmas Day, according to overnight ratings data. The broadcast, delivered from Westminster Abbey, saw the monarch urge the nation to embrace “compassion and reconciliation” and celebrate the “great diversity of our communities.”
Festive TV Ratings: ‘Gavin & Stacey’ Still Reigns Supreme
Table of Contents
Despite a strong showing from the royal family, a beloved comedy series topped the charts for Christmas Day viewership.
- The final episode of “Gavin & Stacey” was the most-watched program with 12.3 million viewers.
- King Charles’ Christmas message drew 6.56 million viewers across multiple channels.
- BBC programs dominated the top 10, securing nine of the ten most-watched slots.
- “Strictly Come Dancing” saw a heartwarming farewell to presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
- Viewership for “EastEnders” dipped slightly compared to the previous year.
While the King’s address garnered significant attention, it was the finale of “Gavin & Stacey” that truly stole the show, attracting an average of 12.3 million viewers—the largest Christmas Day audience in 16 years. The emotional farewell resonated deeply with audiences, proving the enduring appeal of the comedy series.
What makes a Christmas Day TV special so popular? Shared viewing experiences remain a powerful draw, even with the proliferation of streaming services, according to Kate Phillips, BBC’s chief content officer, who called the high ratings “a timely reminder that shared moments really do still matter even in a world of so much choice.”
A BBC-Dominated Top 10
The BBC enjoyed a successful Christmas Day, with nine out of the top ten most-watched programs originating from the public broadcaster. Following the King’s address and “Gavin & Stacey,” “The Scarecrows’ Wedding,” based on the popular children’s book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, secured the second spot with 4.31 million viewers. “Strictly Come Dancing,” featuring a special Christmas episode and the final on-screen partnership of presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, rounded out the top three with 4.24 million tuning in.
The emotional farewell on “Strictly Come Dancing” was a highlight, with Daly and Winkleman receiving gifts from the judges—a dance for Daly and a comedy skit for Winkleman. Their final dance culminated in a tearful embrace, as Daly declared, “It’s our final time. So let’s make it count,” before the duo signed off with their signature phrase, “keep dancing.”
Mixed Results for Other Favorites
“EastEnders” experienced a slight dip in viewership compared to the previous year, with the first of its two Christmas Day episodes landing at number eight with 2.85 million viewers. The second episode did not crack the top 10. Other popular programs included “Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel” (3.71 million), “Call the Midwife” (3.44 million), and “Gladiators” (3.16 million).
Despite a challenging year for the corporation, the BBC’s strong performance on Christmas Day—claiming nine of the top ten slots—will undoubtedly be a source of relief for executives. The only non-BBC program to make the list was “The 1% Club” on ITV1, securing ninth place with 2.75 million viewers.
All figures are based on overnight ratings from Barb (Broadcast Audience Research Board), which utilizes a panel of homes to measure television viewership across various devices.
