The highly anticipated finale of Gavin and Stacey proved to be a massive success this Christmas, drawing in an impressive 12.3 million viewers, according to overnight TV ratings.
This made it the most-watched show of Christmas Day in more than a decade, setting a new record for TV viewership on the holiday. The popularity of the show was part of a larger trend of exceptional viewership across various programs, underscoring the immense appeal of Christmas specials on British television. The finale of this beloved sitcom not only captivated its loyal fanbase but also introduced a significant boost to BBC One’s ratings, marking a milestone in festive television.
In addition to Gavin and Stacey, the debut of the new Wallace and Gromit film also drew in large numbers, with over 9 million people tuning in to watch the latest adventure of the iconic animated duo.
The animated film, Wallace and Gromit: A Matter of Loaf and Death, aired on BBC One and added to the festive atmosphere, bringing in millions of viewers eager to see the beloved characters in action once again. This marked another win for BBC One, cementing the channel’s dominance in viewership for Christmas Day, further elevating its reputation as the home of unmissable holiday programming.
Moreover, the King’s Christmas message also garnered significant attention, with nearly 7 million viewers across multiple platforms, including BBC, ITV, and Sky News, tuning in to hear his address. This year’s message drew widespread interest, as people looked to the monarch’s words for reflections on the state of the nation and the holiday season.
The King’s message has become a staple of Christmas Day broadcasting in the UK, and this year’s viewership reflected its continued importance in British culture, further emphasizing the public’s connection to national traditions.
It is important to note that these figures are based on “overnight” TV ratings, which only account for viewers watching the programs as they are broadcast on Christmas Day.
These ratings do not include viewers who catch up on Christmas specials through catch-up services or streaming platforms during the rest of the festive period, meaning the total audience numbers for these programs could be even higher once catch-up viewing is taken into account.
The Gavin and Stacey finale was not only a ratings success but also marked a return to glory for the show, which had left viewers on a cliffhanger in the 2019 Christmas special. In that episode, Nessa, played by Ruth Jones, famously proposed to Smithy, portrayed by James Corden, leaving fans eagerly wondering whether he would accept.
The 2024 finale picked up on that tension, offering fans the resolution they had been eagerly anticipating for years. This long-awaited conclusion was met with immense excitement, as millions of viewers tuned in to find out the fate of their beloved characters.
BBC One’s success this year was also underscored by the fact that all of the top 10 most-watched Christmas Day shows were aired on the channel. This is the first time in recent memory that the BBC has achieved such dominance in Christmas Day viewership, with the network’s lineup offering a perfect mix of nostalgic programming and new, highly anticipated specials.
As a result, BBC One solidified its position as the go-to destination for festive television, ensuring that its shows continue to capture the nation’s attention year after year.
Charlotte Moore, the BBC’s Chief Content Officer, expressed her pride in the finale’s success, praising the work of Ruth Jones and James Corden for creating what she described as “a magical finale that fans will treasure forever.” She further emphasized the unique qualities of Gavin and Stacey, noting that it is a show about family, love, and joy, elements that resonated deeply with audiences.
“Their exquisitely written comedy creation is a show all about family, love and joy, and it proved to be the unmissable TV event of the year,” Moore added, highlighting the emotional connection viewers have with the show and the unforgettable Christmas moments it continues to deliver.
