McIntyre and the Queen are big festive ratings winners
IT IS one of the biggest accolades in broadcasting each year, while also remaining one of the most competitive.
And Christmas Day television viewing saw both comedy and the traditional address to the nation by the Queen come out on top after initial audience figures were released yesterday.
With 6.1m viewers, Michael McIntyre’s Big Christmas Show, which was screened on BBC One on Tuesday evening, was the surprise hit of the day.
It beat the Strictly Come Dancing festive show, as well as the Call The Midwife and Mrs Brown’s Boys’ Christmas specials.
But when audiences on channels are combined, the Queen’s Christmas Day broadcast overtook the comedian.
It enjoyed a combined audience of 6.3m on BBC One (5.2m) and ITV (1.1m), which includes plus-one, and it was also broadcast on Sky.
But the figures have dropped from the 7.5m that the broadcast attracted on BBC One and ITV last year.
The BBC featured in nine of the top 10 shows of the day, with ITV’s highest rating programme going to Coronation Street, which was watched by 4.6m, including plus-one.
Its Torvill and Dean biopic had glowing reviews but did not make the top 10 – with 2.9m viewers.
Other shows in the top 10 include The Jungle Book film, as well as EastEnders and children’s favourite, Zog.
McIntyre’s Big Christmas Show, the top-rated single channel show, was recorded at the Theatre Royal in London’s Drury Lane, and featured live music from Welsh soprano Katherine Jenkins.
Charlotte Moore, the director of BBC content, said: “We’re happy so many people chose to watch BBC One this Christmas Day.
“Whether it be entertainment shows such as Michael McIntyre and Strictly Come Dancing, drama like Call The Midwife or comedy with Mrs Brown’s Boys we want to offer something for everyone.”