King Charles’s annual Christmas Day message was the most-watched television broadcast in the United Kingdom on December 25, according to overnight audience measurement data. 

The annual address, recorded at Westminster Abbey’s Lady Chapel and broadcast across multiple major channels including the BBC, ITV, Sky News and GB News, attracted approximately 6.56 million viewers, solidifying its position at the top of the festive ratings. 

The speech, in which the King reflected on themes of compassion, unity and national solidarity, resonated with viewers amidst a competitive holiday television schedule. 

In second place was an animated adaptation of The Scarecrows’ Wedding on BBC One, which drew around 4.31 million viewers, followed closely by the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special featuring the final appearance of hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman with about 4.24 million. 

Other programmes in the top ten included Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel and Call the Midwife, while long-running soap EastEnders saw weaker viewership compared with previous years. 

Broadcasters reported that nine of the top ten most-watched programmes on Christmas Day were from the BBC, highlighting the enduring strength of public service television during the festive season. The figures do not include viewers who watched on-demand or via streaming platforms after the initial broadcast, which could further increase the total audience for the King’s message.