The BBC didn’t achieve the success of 2024.

Strictly was the only Christmas Day show to see an increase in figures (Image: PA)

Strictly Come Dancing was the only BBC show that saw an increase in viewing figures on Christmas Day 2025 compared to the year prior. This year saw a serious blow to the broadcaster because the BBC failed to have any show perform better than The King’s Speech, while last year the Gavin and Stacey Christmas Special more than doubles the figures of the speech. Last year, both Gavin and Stacey, and Wallace and Gromit, brought in incredibly high figures to the channel, with 12.3million and 9.4million views respectively.

The King’s Speech pulled in 6 million views this year, which was the exact same as last year, while the Strictly Christmas Special pulled in 4.35million views, which is up on the 4.05million views received in 2024. However, it is Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman’s last show together, making it a momentous occasion for viewers.

Gavin and Stacey performed incredibly well in 2024 (Image: Getty)

Call The Midwife, EastEnders, and The Weakest Link were among the shows that failed to bring the viewers in. Call The Midwife pulled in 3.4million this year as opposed to the 4.4million last year.

EastEnders had a serious drop, with the first episode pulling in 2.8million and the second pulling in 2.2million as opposed to the previous year’s first episode pulling in 4million and the second pulling in 4.4million; a staggering difference.

This year the Weakest Link pulled in 2.6million views, compared to the 3.05million that was pulled in the year prior. Things have slowly been dropping off, but with little to no big TV specials and new shows, there hasn’t been the same level of high TV views as there once was.

The BBC shared its most popular TV show of the year behind The King’s Speech, which was a TV show called The Scarecrows’ Wedding which pulled in 4.3million views – less than the second episode of EastEnders last year. The show was an animated adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s picture book.

However, one positive for the BBC is that of all of the top 10 TV shows for Christmas Day, the BBC did get nine of them; so while it’s not an increase on last year, it still did perform relatively well overall.

Kate Phillips, BBC’s Chief Content Officer, said: “We’re proud of the fact that people come together on the BBC at Christmas. 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.

“It’s the BBC’s unique range of programmes that sets us apart, there really is something for everyone, and we’re kicking off 2026 in explosive style with new series of The Traitors and The Night Manager, so there’s plenty to look forward to!”