Brits gamble on Christmas Day televison ratings war

LONDON, England -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- ITV's Downton Abbey is taking on the BBC's mighty EastEnders in the Christmas day ratings war this year and online betting firm Sky Bet make the misery-laden soap opera 1/2 favourite to beat the hit costume drama (6/4).
What's more, Sky Bet reckon that the clash of these two TV titans will make way for a third contender to come through as Christmas Day's most watched programme.
Sky Bet have installed Doctor Who as the 6/4 favourite to pull in most viewers, which would see the BBC prevail once again as the top channel on Christmas Day.
Last year, the Doctor was beaten to number one by EastEnders, which attracted a million more viewers and once again the Walford residents are looking for that top spot, with Sky Bet making the soap 7/4 second favourite in the Christmas day top TV show betting.
After a phenomenal year, the Emmy-award winning Downton Abbey is third favourite at 4/1. The last episode of the second series of Downton attracted over 12million viewers, surpassing the 11.7million achieved by EastEnders on Christmas Day last year.
Sky Bet spokeswoman Helen Jacob said: "Everyone's talking about the ratings battle between Downton and EastEnders but Doctor Who might well be the dark horse to sneak through with most viewers on Christmas Day.
Rival soaps Coronation Nation (16/1) and Emmerdale (66/1) are also in the mix and 2011 ratings hit Strictly Come Dancing is in with a squeak at 25/1. Absolutely Fabulous, which returns after a six-year absence, is quoted at 33/1.
Sky Bet's Helen Jacob added: "A good outside bet which might be worth a small flutter would be Edina and Pasty to totter to the top spot with their Ab Fab special."
The Queen looks unlikely to take the crown for her 3pm Christmas address (80/1) and Blackadder the Third is a 66/1 shot to be laughing all the way to the top.
Sky Bet Odds: Christmas Day 2011 Top TV Programme
Doctor Who 6/4
EastEnders 7/4
Downton Abbey 4/1
The Gruffalo's Child 12/1
Coronation Street 16/1
Strictly Come Dancing 25/1
Absolutely Fabulous 33/1
Alan Carr: Chatty Man Xmas Special 50/1
Emmerdale 66/1
Blackadder The Third 66/1
The Queen's Christmas Speech 80/1
All Star Family Fortunes 100/1
Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow 100/1
Note: Settled on overnight figures from BARB

EastEnders v Downton Abbey
EastEnders 1/2
Dowton Abbey 6/4
Note: Settled on overnight figures from BARB