Downton Abbey And EastEnders In Christmas Day Ratings Battle

Uh-oh, that BBC/ ITV divide reigns on, with it being confirmed today that EastEnders and Downton Abbey will be competing for Christmas Day ratings as they go head-to-head.

Viewers will have to choose between the last ever episode of ITV’s hit period drama or an explosive, and no doubt rather morbid, episode of the BBC One soap at 8.45pm.

It might not sound like that difficult a decision to non-fans, but when you’re in a mince-pie-and-turkey related food coma on Christmas Day, this will probably be the biggest challenge that viewers could face.

The same clash happened last year at the slightly later time of 9pm, with EastEnders winning the battle, however, with this being Downton’s final episode, ITV are optimistic that it will bring in the viewers.

Thankfully, the entire day isn’t filled with clashes with viewers also looking forward to confirmed special festive episodes of Emmerdale, Coronation Street, and a special tribute show to the late Cilla Black on ITV.

Joining EastEnders on the BBC includes Mrs. Brown’s Boys, Doctor Who, Strictly Come Dancing, and Call The Midwife Christmas episodes, with Channel 4 offering a special edition of Alan Carr’s Chatty Man and a kids episode of Gogglebox.

We don’t know about you, but we think we’re looking forward to the Christmas telly even more than the mulled wine and Quality Street.