Since 1957 Christmas TV has been almost as big a part of festive celebrations as carols, presents or even a turkey dinner. In 2020, the average Brit spent 24 hours and 45 minutes watching TV in Christmas week alone. From the Royal Christmas message to watching celebrities on game shows, it’s the best time of year to turn on the telly, crack open the Quality Street and relax with the people you love.
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Everyone loves Christmas TV
The Christmas season is a time for huge TV audiences, with many viewing records being broken over the decades. The record for the largest single audience for a television programme is 21.4 million, set on Christmas Day 1977 by the Mike Yarwood show. That’s based on ITV’s measurements, however. The BBC claims that the title should go to the Morecambe and Wise Christmas special that was airing at the same time, based on their own readings. The biggest Christmas Day TV audience ever was the 21.8 million people who tuned into the premiere of Crocodile Dundee in 1989.
Did you know? ‘You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch’ was originally performed by Thurl Ravenscroft, better known as the voice of Tony the Tiger.
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The Royal Christmas Broadcast
Of all the UK Christmas TV traditions, the Royal Christmas message might be the most well-known. More than 5.9 million people watched the King’s Christmas speech last year. The first ever televised Christmas speech was given in 1957 by Elizabeth II. Earlier Christmas messages from Queen Elizabeth, her father George VI and grandfather George V were broadcast speeches by radio.
The Queen’s Christmas message, 2021
The King’s Christmas message, 2023
Films on TV at ChristmasÂ
Sitting around the television to watch a film together is a happy Christmas memory for millions. Even in the streaming era, Christmas remains a popular time to show new movies on TV, whether that’s with a Sky Cinema premier or a release on Netflix or Disney+.
Did you know? Since 1978, ITV has broadcast a James Bond film on Christmas Day 12 times.
The top new streaming releases this Christmas 2024Â
Wondering where to stream Red One and other new releases this Christmas? Here are some of the biggest new films coming to streaming Christmas 2024, and where to watch them.
Red One, coming to streaming December 12th, will be a Christmas TV highlight for families this year.
Red One
A family-friendly and festive action-adventure. Available from December 12th on Amazon Prime.Â
Dear Santa
Jack Black stars as satan in this comedy centred on a misaddressed Christmas list. Available now on Paramount Plus.Â
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
You can stream Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the long-anticipated sequel to the classic 80s horror comedy on Max from December 6th in the US. UK viewers will have to wait until the service launches in the UK in 2026, when it will be bundled with Sky TV, or the movie will be available to buy digitally.
Fly Me to the Moon
This 1960s-set astronomical romcom stars Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum. Available on Apple TV+ from December 6th.Â
It Ends With Us
An adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel, this drama stars Blake Lively. Available on Netflix from December 9th.
Conclave
A favourite for next year’s Best Picture Oscar, this edge-of-your-seat thriller comes from director Edward Berger. Available on Peacock from December 13th.Â
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