Christmas TV figures at all time low
More people enjoying themselves at Christmas shocker!
Christmas television viewing figures are at an all-time low as more people are choosing to play games instead of veg out in front of the goggle box. Whilst the BBC’s official figures showed that they had a number of minor hits over the festive period – including Strictly Come Dancing, Doctor Who and The Two Ronnies Christmas Sketchbook - unofficial viewing figures suggest something quite different is going on in our homes over Christmas.
BBC1's share of viewing on Christmas Day has plummeted from 42% to 32% in a year, whilst ITV1's share of viewing fell to 20% from 32% last year. And whilst old BBC staple Eastenders still managed to pull in over ten million viewers, desperate for some traditional Cockernee Misery, its a far cry from ‘the good old days’ where the soap would pull in easily twice that number.
Analysts are laying the blame squarely at increased sales of videogames, as well as the increase in digital TV subscribers, with over two-thirds of UK households having access to over thirty TV channels.
So it would seem that the tradition of gathering the family around the television on Christmas Day is on the decline, which SPOnG thinks is not really any bad thing. Surely its more fun to dance around the lounge playing Eyetoy Groove or warble your heart out with Singstar, than it is to watch the dimwitted Alfie Moon try to seduce the bizarrely orange-coloured slapper, Kat Slater. Let us know your thoughts on your best and worst Christmas viewing and gaming in the forums below.
BBC1's share of viewing on Christmas Day has plummeted from 42% to 32% in a year, whilst ITV1's share of viewing fell to 20% from 32% last year. And whilst old BBC staple Eastenders still managed to pull in over ten million viewers, desperate for some traditional Cockernee Misery, its a far cry from ‘the good old days’ where the soap would pull in easily twice that number.
Analysts are laying the blame squarely at increased sales of videogames, as well as the increase in digital TV subscribers, with over two-thirds of UK households having access to over thirty TV channels.
So it would seem that the tradition of gathering the family around the television on Christmas Day is on the decline, which SPOnG thinks is not really any bad thing. Surely its more fun to dance around the lounge playing Eyetoy Groove or warble your heart out with Singstar, than it is to watch the dimwitted Alfie Moon try to seduce the bizarrely orange-coloured slapper, Kat Slater. Let us know your thoughts on your best and worst Christmas viewing and gaming in the forums below.
Comments
dmgice 28 Dec 2005 14:46
1/4
Well, as long as people are watching the new Dr. Who and supporting it.. I don't care if they aren't watching anything else.
fluffstardx 28 Dec 2005 19:28
2/4
Wanna blame someone? Blame whoever picked the worst lineup in years. I watched Doctor Who and switched the box off.
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Joji 28 Dec 2005 19:35
3/4
Watching tv at christmas without digital is tantamount to torture these days. I can't stand the reruns of so-called classics so I either switch to on of many Sky channels or just play a game instead.
The BBC in general have always hated the popularity of games anyways. I reckon this is so due to the lack of game related programmes they have done over the years, even as the industry growth has reached a size to threaten Hollywood and tv. And those game related shows that have been done have been aimed at kids alone, such a wasted oppurtunity to try something on BBC2 with a decent slot and aimed at a wider audience was lost.
The masses of female soap fans are the only thing that I think keeps the BBC alive these days, bar the stealth tax tv license fee. For they are the ones that also watch crap like Strictly Come Dancing ( the dancers dance well but I hate the way the whole thing is presented and I'd rather watch something else).
Shows that would have better figures would be the likes of Lost, a good show that deserves attention. Because the BBC doesn't show any u.s shows like they used to many are looking to Sky, E4 etc instead, and who can blame them.
Sure the BBC do good drama (Bleak House, Egypt) news, documentaries, comedy shows but is there enough to sustain them? Little Britain is popular but is being cancelled apparently.
Stuff on tv that I'm enjoying are Lost, Wife Swap (E4), a dose of anime in Full Metal Alchemist, Wolf's Rain (Rapture), Reno 911, The Wire (both FX shows), Law and Order on Hallmark and the football on Sky Sports. Documentaries and movies and that's about it.
With lots of people buying 360's etc it's not really so surprising many people are using them instead of watching films they either have seen or have on DVD already.
The BBC in general have always hated the popularity of games anyways. I reckon this is so due to the lack of game related programmes they have done over the years, even as the industry growth has reached a size to threaten Hollywood and tv. And those game related shows that have been done have been aimed at kids alone, such a wasted oppurtunity to try something on BBC2 with a decent slot and aimed at a wider audience was lost.
The masses of female soap fans are the only thing that I think keeps the BBC alive these days, bar the stealth tax tv license fee. For they are the ones that also watch crap like Strictly Come Dancing ( the dancers dance well but I hate the way the whole thing is presented and I'd rather watch something else).
Shows that would have better figures would be the likes of Lost, a good show that deserves attention. Because the BBC doesn't show any u.s shows like they used to many are looking to Sky, E4 etc instead, and who can blame them.
Sure the BBC do good drama (Bleak House, Egypt) news, documentaries, comedy shows but is there enough to sustain them? Little Britain is popular but is being cancelled apparently.
Stuff on tv that I'm enjoying are Lost, Wife Swap (E4), a dose of anime in Full Metal Alchemist, Wolf's Rain (Rapture), Reno 911, The Wire (both FX shows), Law and Order on Hallmark and the football on Sky Sports. Documentaries and movies and that's about it.
With lots of people buying 360's etc it's not really so surprising many people are using them instead of watching films they either have seen or have on DVD already.
fluffstardx 29 Dec 2005 12:56
4/4
I've been watching Full Metal Alchemist on Rapture too. It's horrifically true that the BBC's long-term plan seems to be bad gameshows, drama and comedy. Little Britain is indeed canned - the Xmas special was the last episode. Lucas and Walliams have decided its lost its flavour, and won't make any more.
Sky is essential now.
Sky is essential now.