BBC banks on Mrs Brown’s Boys in Christmas box battle
THE BBC is hoping to regain its seasonal crown from ITV this weekend when the channels go head to head in the traditional battle to top the Christmas Day ratings.
ITV won the contest last year with the final episode of period drama Downton Abbey, which attracted 10.9 million viewers.
With no Downton in the schedule this year, the BBC will be hoping to take back the top spot – possibly with Mrs Brown’s Boys, which came first in 2013 and 2014.
Other contenders on BBC One include a 90-minute special episode of Call The Midwife and a festive edition of Strictly Come Dancing, which features the final appearance of head judge Len Goodman. The centrepiece of ITV’s Christmas night is a two-hour Maigret mystery starring Rowan Atkinson.
Both channels have lined up extended episodes of soap operas, but recent history suggests the appeal of these programmes is fading.
The BBC has a long history of winning the Christmas Day TV battle, triumphing in 26 of the past 30 years.
ITV has fought back this decade with Downton Abbey coming first in 2011 and 2015.