December 2012
Featured in this insight: Media & publishing, IT & telecommunications, Culture, heritage & leisure
Survey shows changing face of Christmas viewing between now and 1952: Following a survey by Radio Times into BBC One's Christmas Day schedules in 1952, 1972, 1992 and 2012, it has been revealed that Britons are now choosing home-grown drama instead of the light entertainment shows they opted for 20 years ago for their festive schedule.
The market research demonstrated the changing face of Christmas Day viewing – more repeats and fewer films are scheduled now than 20 years ago, while no drama shows were broadcast in 1972 or 1952.
Light entertainment, which dominated on Christmas Day TV in 1952 (25%) and 1972 (55%), has currently dropped to just 9% this year.
Furthermore, repeats have risen 14% since 1992, while in 1952 only one film was broadcast on Christmas Day in contrast to three being shown this year.
Although the survey results highlight significant changes between TV offerings now compared with 20 years ago, some things haven’t changed – from 1952 until this year, the Queen's Speech is still a fixture of Christmas Day viewing, while Bruce Forsyth and the Top Of The Pops Christmas Special (broadcast in 1972 and 1992) will be a feature again this year.
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