Ghosts. Image shows left to right: Kitty (Lolly Adefope), Pat (Jim Howick), Captain (Ben Willbond), Mike (Kiell Smith-Bynoe), Julian (Simon Farnaby), Alison (Charlotte Ritchie), Robin (Laurence Rickard), Thomas (Mathew Baynton), Lady Button (Martha Howe-Douglas)
6.62 million viewers watched the final episode of Ghosts within the first seven days of broadcast
The final episode of hit sitcom Ghosts, which was broadcast on BBC One on Christmas Day, was the most-watched new British comedy episode in 2023.
Data from the Broadcasters' Audience Research Board (BARB) reveals that across the first seven days from broadcast it was watched by 6.62 million viewers. BARB's 7-day 4-screen consolidated ratings combine the estimated count those that watched the programme on the day of broadcast with figures from households who chose to catch-up via streaming platforms.
The top 10 for 2023 is below. In many cases, multiple episodes from the productions mentioned scored ratings of over 4 million. We have selected the highest rated episode in these cases.
Ghosts. Image shows left to right: Alison (Charlotte Ritchie), Betty (Sutara Gayle), Mike (Kiell Smith-Bynoe)
Mrs. Brown's Boys. Image shows left to right: Birdie (June Rodgers), Betty Brown (Amanda Woods), Mark Brown (Pat Shields), Winnie McGoogan (Eilish O'Carroll), Bono Brown (Jamie O'Carroll), Sharon McGoogan (Fiona Gibney), Trevor Brown (Martin Delany), Agnes Brown (Brendan O'Carroll), Cathy Brown (Jennifer Gibney), Father Damien (Conor Moloney), Maria Nicholson / Brown (Fiona O'Carroll), Buster Brady (Danny O'Carroll), Barbara (Emily Reagan), Blister (Blake O'Carroll), Dermot Brown (Paddy Houlihan), Maureen (Helen Roche). Credit: BBC Studios