Christmas telly is a turn-off for viewers: Families pick DVDs and computer games instead
The total peaktime audience was 26.6million, down from 29.1million last year.
The Albert Square drama drew an average 9.9million viewers. That was 1.5million fewer than last year � and less than half the number who watched Only Fools and Horses take the No1 spot ten years ago.
BBC insiders blamed the year-on-year fall on families heading out in the mild weather. But an industry source said: "A lot decided to play computer games and watch DVDs."
It was EastEnders' third Christmas Day win in a row.
Downton � which also started at 9pm and saw Matthew Crawley, played by Dan Stevens, finally propose to Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) � came fourth with 8.1million.
Coronation Street was second on 9million with Doctor Who on 8.9million � well down on last year's 10.3million. Strictly Come Dancing's special drew 7.5million compared to last year's 9.4million.
BBC1 controller Danny Cohen said: "BBC1 had the most popular show and the most viewers overall." ITV said the ratings battle was the closest in more than a decade.
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