BBC
IS CHRISTMAS NUMBER ONE
Most watched:
Celebrations at White City
Official viewing figures has shown that the BBC was the
most popular broadcaster out of all the terrestrial channels
on Christmas Day, but it saw its overall share fall for
the fifth year running.
The viewing figures, which are official estimates, showed
the BBC had eight programmes in the top 10 - its best result
since 2002.
The Vicar Of Dibley won the Christmas Day battle for television
viewers with more than 11 million tuning in to watch the
sitcom.
The long-running BBC series, starring Dawn French, is ending
with a special two-part edition and the first instalment
was the nation's favourite show last night, attracting an
average audience of 11.4 million.
In second place was the last episode of an EastEnders double
bill, watched by 10.7 million, followed by its rival soap,
Coronation Street, with 9.6 million tuning in for the hour-long
show.
The first instalment of EastEnders came next, watched by
9.2 million, then the popular sci-fi show Dr Who (8.7 million)
and Little Britain Abroad (8.4 million).
Outside the top 10 was a one-off special edition of the
ITV1 comedy drama Doc Martin, which was watched by 5.3 million.
The Queen's Speech attracted 5.7 million viewers on BBC1
and 900,000 on BBC2, while on ITV1 1.9 million tuned in.
The combined total of 8.5 million viewers was down on last
year's 9.2 million.
The BBC said its main channel had a 29.8% share of the
audience throughout the day compared to ITV1's 21.1%, while
ITV1 stated it had 22.5% and the BBC1 30.5%.
The peak audience watching television was 24.8 million
at 9.45pm - last year's figure was 23.8 million at 9.15pm.
BBC1's peak viewing audience was 39%, 4% higher than last
year, compared to ITV1's 29%.
Peter Fincham, controller of BBC1, said: "BBC1 has
been at the top of its game this Christmas.
"Overall viewing levels are up, our performance in
peak is 11% higher than last year, but most of all we've
had a wonderful schedule of programmes that audiences love
- Doctor Who, EastEnders, The Vicar of Dibley, Strictly
Come Dancing and Little Britain have proved an irresistible
combination.
"What this shows is that family viewing is alive and
well and in excellent health."
An ITV spokeswoman said: "Strong storylines in Emmerdale
and Coronation Street, and a one-off special of comedy drama
Doc Martin, combined to bring peak audiences of more than
10 million viewers (between 8.55-9.00pm) to ITV1 this Christmas.
"We are delighted that ITV1's audiences are up year
on year and that so many viewers enjoyed the festive schedules
on offer this year."
Top Ten Christmas Programmes
1 Vicar Of Dibley BBC1 11.4 million
2 EastEnders BBC1 10.7 million
3 Coronation Street ITV1 9.6 million
4 EastEnders BBC1 9.2 million
5 Dr Who BBC1 8.7 million
6 Little Britain Abroad BBC1 8.4 million
7 Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special BBC1 7.3 million
8 Emmerdale ITV1 7.2 million
9 Strictly Come Dancing BBC1 6.8 million
10 BBC News and Weather BBC1 6.7 million
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26 December, 2006
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