TV
BBC and ITV both claim Christmas Day ratings win
Published Wednesday, Dec 27 2000, 10:04 GMT | By Neil Wilkes
Initial viewing figures for Christmas Day have lead both the BBC and ITV to claim victory in the festive ratings war.
Overall, BBC1 attracted a 36% share, compared with ITV's 33%. Cable, satellite and digital viewing also rose to a 15% share. "We're very obviously in a multi-channel world. It's certainly been the strongest performance ever by cable and satellite," said a spokeswoman for the BBC.
The Queen's Speech - broadcast on BBC1, ITV and Sky One at 3pm - attracted 9.8 million viewers, down from 10.5 million last year. Coronation Street emerged as the most-watched programme all day, with 13.7 million viewers.
Despite BBC1's greater overall share, ITV has claimed a greater share for evening viewing, with 40.2% of the audience (compared with BBC1's 39.8%). Exact figures, however, will differ after video recordings are taken into account.
An ITV spokesman said: "We are delighted that ITV's blend of home-grown family entertainment programming was a winner with viewers on Christmas night for the second year running. At the end of its 40th year it is fitting that Coronation Street was the most popular programme on Christmas Day."
Overall, BBC1 attracted a 36% share, compared with ITV's 33%. Cable, satellite and digital viewing also rose to a 15% share. "We're very obviously in a multi-channel world. It's certainly been the strongest performance ever by cable and satellite," said a spokeswoman for the BBC.
The Queen's Speech - broadcast on BBC1, ITV and Sky One at 3pm - attracted 9.8 million viewers, down from 10.5 million last year. Coronation Street emerged as the most-watched programme all day, with 13.7 million viewers.
Despite BBC1's greater overall share, ITV has claimed a greater share for evening viewing, with 40.2% of the audience (compared with BBC1's 39.8%). Exact figures, however, will differ after video recordings are taken into account.
An ITV spokesman said: "We are delighted that ITV's blend of home-grown family entertainment programming was a winner with viewers on Christmas night for the second year running. At the end of its 40th year it is fitting that Coronation Street was the most popular programme on Christmas Day."
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