EastEnders tops BBC iPlayer chart for Christmas Day death episode

EastEnders spoilers follow.

EastEnders' Christmas Day death episode has topped the BBC iPlayer chart for the festive period.

The huge episode, which finally revealed the victim and perpetrator of the flashforward mystery that dominated the show last year, proved to be hugely popular on streaming despite not topping the Christmas Day broadcast ratings.

According to the BBC, the revelation that Linda Carter killed Keanu Taylor was streamed 2.96 million times in the so-called 'festive fortnight' between December 19 and January 1.

linda carter in eastenders
Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron - BBC

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The soap also topped the overall programme ratings with 26.28 million streams overall during the two-week period.

The episode was ahead of second-placer Vigil's series 2 finale, which was streamed 2.19 million times, followed by Rick Astley Rocks New Year’s Eve - Part 1, viewed 2.02 million times.

Also near the top of the charts were the Call the Midwife Christmas special (2.01 million), the Doctor Who Christmas special (1.79 million) and Murder is Easy episode one (1.52 million).

ncuti gatwa in 'the church on ruby road' in doctor who
BBC

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The Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special, which came second in the broadcast ratings for Christmas Day behind the King's Christmas message, came in at number 10 with 1.16 million iPlayer streams.

Additionally, Christmas week (December 25-31) took in a total of 177 million streams, ahead of the same period last year as well as beating the previous record of 173 million in the first week of 2023.

“It’s wonderful to see that viewers came to BBC iPlayer in record numbers over the festive period," said Dan McGolpin, director of BBC iPlayer and channels.

eastenders the six stacey, suki, sharon, linda, kathy, denise
BBC

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"No-where else would they have found the same range of high-quality British programming to keep them gripped, make them laugh or to provide companionship and news at that special time.

"And with a whole host of compelling drama, comedy, factual programming, entertainment and sport landing on iPlayer in 2024, viewers can look forward to a great year ahead.”

EastEnders airs on Mondays - Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer, where most episodes drop early at 6am ahead of their TV broadcast.

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