It’s almost Christmas and the television schedules are filled with festive specials, with millions expected to tune into the likes of the new Wallace and Gromit film, Doctor Who, Gavin and Stacey and Eastenders.
However, the popularity of streaming means that terrestrial television audiences are a fraction of what they were.
A couple of decades ago, audiences of 20 million people would be the target for television bosses, whereas last year the most-watched programme was The King’s Christmas Broadcast with 5.9 million viewers.
The current system of calculating audiences started in 1981, meaning that accurate figures for the likes of Morcambe and Wise are not available, with various estimates for their legendary 1977 show peaking at 28 million viewers.
Since 1981 though, these are the Christmas Day shows that have had the largest audiences, as compiled by the Press Association.
9. Birds of a Feather Christmas Special 1993
Following the adventures of three friends played by Pauline Quirke, Linda Robson and Lesley Joseph, the Birds of a Feather Christmas episode scored an audience of 19.39 million in 1993. It saw the girls fly to Hollywood after sisters Sharon and Tracey discover their real father may be actor George Hamilton, who co-stars. Meanwhile Dorien is mistakenly imprisoned for stalking Cheers actor George Wendt. | Contributed
10. Raiders Of The Lost Ark
All of the entries so far have been broadcast on BBC1, with ITV's first entry coming courtesy of the first Indiana Jones adventure starring Harrison Ford. In 1984, 19.33 million people tuned in to watch Raiders Of The Lost Ark on Christmas Day. | Contributed
11. Indiana Jones And The Temple of Doom
Harrison Ford returned as Indy in Indiana Jones And The Temple of Doom - watched by 18.95 million people on BBC1 on Christmas Day 1987. | Contributed
12. EastEnders 1986 Christmas Special (late evening)
The second part of the EastEnders festive double-header in 1986 reached 18.90 million people. It sees Angie reeling from Den's delivery of divorce papers. | Contributed