An audience of 7.3 million tuned in to watch Magic Light Pictures’ animated special, Tiddler on BBC iPlayer and BBC One, according to BARB 28-day figures.  Premiering on Christmas Day on BBC One, Tiddler had the highest audience share for a Magic Light Pictures film since The Gruffalo in 2009.

Tiddler is the latest animation to the multi-Oscar-nominated production company’s acclaimed line-up of specials based on picture books by the UK’s number one author Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler.  Tiddler is the story of a small grey fish with a big imagination who gets lost in the deep wide ocean, until he’s saved by his own storytelling. The animation launched on BBC iPlayer and BBC One, and made it into the top five most-watched Christmas Day programmes across all channels and streamers.

The entire Donaldson/Scheffler Magic Light animation back catalogue was repeated on BBC One over the festive period and remain available on BBC iPlayer.  They performed 20 per cent up year on year – with every special attracting over a million viewers, and The Gruffalo’s Child,  The Smeds and The Smoos, and Tabby McTat all securing around 2 million viewers each.

The half-hour animated special was voiced by a stellar cast led by Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso, Game of Thrones) as the narrator, Lolly Adefope (Ghosts, Saltburn) as Miss Skate, Jayde Adams (Ruby Speaking, Alma’s Not Normal) as Plaice and other characters, plus Rob Brydon (Gavin and Stacey, The Trip) – returning for his twelfth Donaldson and Scheffler adaptation – in the multiple voice roles of Fisherman, Whale, Starfish and Anchovy.

Martin Pope, Co-Founder Magic Light Pictures, commented: “We are delighted that so many families and children enjoyed Tiddler. It’s always an honour to have our films shown on Christmas Day and for them to become part of so many families’ Christmas traditions.  We’re also really pleased to be part of the BBC’s winning line up with a film which seems to have been enjoyed by audiences and critics alike.”

Tiddler is directed by Andy Martin and Alex Bain, adapted by Michael Bohnenstingl, and produced by Barney Goodland and Pope. The film was acquired by Charlotte Moore, BBC Chief Content Officer and Nawfal Faizullah, BBC Drama Commissioning Editor.

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Categories: Press Releases

Tags: BARB, BBC, Christmas