The Ellen DeGeneres Show has reached the highest ever ratings during the show's run.

Variety reports that DeGeneres' show has managed to average 4.4 million viewers during the week of Dec. 9.

According to Deadline, the record ratings have likely come up as the result of her yearly "12 Days of Giveaway," where audience members receive surprise gifts during the episode. The numbers had been trending up since Nov. 25-29, where her numbers had jumped to a household rating of 3.0 and 4.1 million viewers.

The numbers could possibly get even rosier as Ellen when the numbers are released for the week of Dec. 16 when the giveaway reached its climax.
During the increased ratings, Ellen has brought on such guests as Tom Hanks, Lea Michele and Jake Gyllenhaal, who all might have helped contribute to the numbers.

Ellen is preparing to host the Academy Awards on March 2 on ABC, and promotions have already begun coming out. In a video advertising the Oscars, Ellen and a bunch of backup dancers see the sights in the Warner Bros. backlot.

image: ABC