It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas TV: But is this the best we can do?
This year’s Christmas TV schedule will make Gemma Collins’ snowman building seem like fun.
The Only Way Is Essex’s star, aged 41, will be featured on Channel 4’s The Greatest Snowman. Here, she will compete against other ‘celebs to build snow and create ice sculptures under the snowy climes Austria.
Sue Perkins presented the show. The guide, which began to emerge today, includes many other Christmas shows.
As the Geordie duo launch their first Christmas edition of Limitless Win, it will be joined by a Strictly Come Dancing special featuring Anton Du Beke on BBC and more Ant and Dec on ITV.
This year’s Christmas TV schedule will make Gemma Collins’s snowman building seem like fun. The Only Way Is Essex, 41-year-old star, will appear on Channel 4’s The Greatest Snowman
The BBC will air a special Strictly Come Dancing with Anton Du Beke (pictured), and the rest of their judging panel this Christmas
These are the best Christmas movies to stream on streaming services
While much of the traditional broadcasters offer one-off specials or repeats, streaming services this year will show some of the latest Hollywood blockbusters – as well as their own original productions.
Christmas CaroleSky Max)
If you are looking for something festive and fun, this is the flick for you. This remake of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol stars Suranne Jones (a British favorite) as a unashamedly wealthy businesswoman. Nish Kumar and Taj atwal star together.
Glass Onion – A Knives Out Mystery – Netflix
This murder mystery, available to stream starting December 23, is a sequel of the dark comedy Knives Out. It was a huge hit in 2019, and will be streamed live. Starring Daniel Craig and Kate Hudson as Benoit Blanc, alongside Edward Norton.
Top Gun: Maverick, (Paramount+).
Tom Cruise returns to his iconic role as Maverick in this sequel. He stars alongside Jennifer Connelly, and he also plays the part of a recruiter. Available starting December 22.
The Banshees Of Inisherin – Disney+
Martin McDonagh directs this black tragedyomedy movie about lifelong friends Colin Farrell (director) and Brendan Gleeson (writer). Their relationship abruptly ends when one of them suddenly leaves. Available starting December 21.
Other regular specials include The Graham Norton Show (EastEnders), Antiques Roadshow (Antiques Roadshow), and Call The Midwife (Calling The Midwife).
ITV Daytime, Lorraine and Good Morning Britain are among the other shows ITV Daytime offers.
There will also be one-off festive shows for big hits such as BBC’s Motherland or Sir David Attenborough’s Dynasties II or Frozen Planet II.
Blankety Blank and The Weakest Link will be featured on the game show specials.
The BBC will also award viewers with two festive specials featuring Mrs Brown’s boys.
One viewer joked via Twitter that he hoped for power cuts during the specials. A second said: ‘There’s two things that are inavoidable… death and Mrs Browns Boys Christmas Day BBC 1’
Another jibed on Facebook: ‘Mrs Browns Boys? Is the nation still suffering enough?
Another person compared the BBC schedule to “some very thin gruel”, while another stated: “As always the BBC show what’s on at Christmas, and as has been so many years, there’s no one I fancy, there’s even a Dr Who!”
However, the BBC was quick defend its line-up.
Charlotte Moore, BBC Chief Content Officer, stated that “Nothing brings people together like Christmas on BBC” and that this year’s line-up is unrivaled.
“Get ready for a great escape with a wide range of exciting festive shows, live and on demand. There’s something for everyone.
A part of this ‘world-class lineup’ is The Great British Sewing Bee Celebrity Christmas Special. Here, familiar faces will attempt to transform unsolicited materials into something festive.
Cliff Richard fans rejoice! The King of Christmas will perform a special one-hour on BBC Two.
Cliff At Christmas will present some of Cliff’s classics to a church in east London. Cliff also has some new material.
Ant and Dec will continue to be on ITV Christmas with the launch of the Christmas edition by the Geordie duo of their new Limitless Win gameshow
Top Gun: Maverick will air on Paramount+ this Christmas. (Pictured in the sequel by Tom Cruise)
You can also expect festive one-offs of big hits such as BBC’s Motherland (pictured) and two Sir David Attenborough shows, Dynasties II & Frozen Planet II.
Another Twitter user said, “Thank God for Amazon and Netflix,” after having read the schedules.
Another called the list of programming a horror story.
Some were more excited about the schedule. One said: “Finally, some great Christmas specials by the BBC this year!” We look forward to this.
“Thank God for Amazon, Netflix”: Viewers react to Christmas TV schedule announcement
On Channel 4, comedian Nish Kumar will host Celebrity Legomasters At Christmas. This will feature three celebrity teams competing in the ultimate Lego-building contest.
The broadcaster will show, just like in the past few years a celebrity edition.
Vardy v Rooney, a courtroom drama, is its most original offering.
Michael Sheen plays the role of Wagatha Christie in the series. This trial, also known as the ‘libel case of the century’ between WAGs Coleen and Rebekah Vardy captured the nation’s imagination.
