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Original poster

AIBU to be shocked at how shit Xmas day telly is this year?

161 replies

Upholstery · 20/12/2025 18:49

40 year old films, Xmas specials from half a century ago, bake-off and the bloody McIntyre wheel? That's the best they can come up with? And as for ITV - what kind of self-loathing maniac wants to watch Lorraine on Xmas morning? The only thing that sounds half decent is Amandaland. What are they playing at?

OP posts:
GargoylesofBeelzebub · 22/12/2025 00:12

I got the radio times as I do every year and went through it yesterday to see what was on. Awful. Absolutely nothing of note to watch.

Efrogwraig · 22/12/2025 00:02

Ghosts Christmas Special would make my Christmas. (Yes l know it's totally over)

choc1cheese1 · 21/12/2025 22:43

@Theabrandt1 what Strictly we're you watching?? Lol

Sesma · 21/12/2025 22:08

Someone is bound to come to a bad end in Eastenders before the Christmas dinner is eaten so I look forward to that.

RaraRachael · 21/12/2025 22:05

Christmas Day telly this yer is even worse than usual.
Mrs Brown's Boys FFS. Does anybody actually like this as I've yet to meet anyone who does.
I'll watch Emmerdale as I normally watch it.

FancyBiscuitsLevel · 21/12/2025 22:01

Ahh! Obviously they’ve got a Julia Donaldson on but not a big book that will be”event” to watch. So they’ve lost that “family event” slot.

FancyBiscuitsLevel · 21/12/2025 21:59

Most years the BBC can be relied upon to have 2 or 3 main shows that they’ve then done cheap filler tv round. So there’s often a Dr Who special, a comedy special, a kids tv special (a new Wallace and Grommit or Julia Donaldson adaptation), a game show special. And for some unknown reason, call the midwife is still popular.

I think they’ve not got the Dr Who special or the kids tv special, and they’ve not filled the gap with anything similar level, just more of the cheap filler tv. Plus their comedy special being Amandaland isn’t as popular as the shows they’ve used for their Christmas special in the past, so that also doesn’t feel “event” even though they’ve got Jennifer Saunders in it.

their family tv viewing is all just game shows (and yes, strictly is a game show).

Obviously ITV is shit but ITV is always shit at Christmas.

Sesma · 21/12/2025 21:45

I struggle to find much on Netflix, it's bundled in with Sky so it's there anyway, we have to pay a bit extra or there are ads which is annoying, the Harlem Coben thing will probably be alright though on New Years.

Elmspringwater · 21/12/2025 21:41

Ive not owned a tv in years, never got the hype for netflix.

I watch what i want on youtube Westream and other platforms, and to my amazment is better, free, and i theres more choice, i can skip the bloody adds to.

I did enjoy changing ends, friend watched it once a week, i cleared the whole series in one night.
Cant wait for season 4.

Sesma · 21/12/2025 21:41

I'm looking forward to the next episode of Landman on Sunday and Plur1bus final episode on Wednesday now. I didn't like that Knives Out film.

cleowasmycat · 21/12/2025 21:38

Streaming services pick up new tv/movies or make them themselves. When they do make then they do it better that terrestrial tv. They cat compete anymore.

JohnTheRevelator · 21/12/2025 21:19

Call the Midwife is on on Christmas day and Boxing day!

Sartre · 21/12/2025 21:03

Same! We always watch the Julia Donaldson special but even that’s crap this year, I always hated that weird book and I’m astounded they chose that one when they could have done The Baddies or Jonty Gentoo.

We had the new Wallace and Gromit last year and Mog’s Christmas the year before to look forward to. Definitely looking forward to Amandaland but that’s it.

glowfrog · 21/12/2025 21:01

Sesma · 20/12/2025 22:06

Call the Midwife, at least that's new, I doubt there is anything good on Netflix or Disney

There’s volume 2 of the last season of Stranger Things! We are mad excited about that in our house.

PatriciaRocks · 21/12/2025 20:35

cardibach · 21/12/2025 20:13

Not sure what your point is then.

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Just talking about Christmas telly. It's no biggie.
Can we have a conflict free chat on any thread at all? I'm really not here for an argument.
Merry Christmas everyone, and enjoy your telly watching! 🎁

cardibach · 21/12/2025 20:13

PatriciaRocks · 21/12/2025 20:13

Yes. I know.

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Not sure what your point is then.

PatriciaRocks · 21/12/2025 20:13

cardibach · 21/12/2025 20:12

You can watch free stuff without being tied to live tv.

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Yes. I know.

cardibach · 21/12/2025 20:12

PatriciaRocks · 21/12/2025 17:43

Yes! I have no streaming. I only watch free stuff.
I like McIntyre's The Wheel.
I think it's funny!

Show quote history

You can watch free stuff without being tied to live tv.

Usesomewords · 21/12/2025 20:08

Why is it that people can't use better words than "shit" and "crap" to describe things they don't like? Those words are used so often now that the impact of what they want to say is watered down, which is a shame because often the complaint is spot on.

cornflakecrunchie · 21/12/2025 19:59

Think I'll be mainly watching american crime, as usual.. the rest sounds dire.

PatriciaRocks · 21/12/2025 17:44

AgentPidge · 21/12/2025 13:51

Ooh, that's good to know! The new one was so good last year! Really made us laugh.

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Bloody love that 😁!

PatriciaRocks · 21/12/2025 17:43

Scarlettpixie · 20/12/2025 19:04

Do people still watch live telly? I watch stuff on catch up, now tv, disney + etc.

Yes! I have no streaming. I only watch free stuff.
I like McIntyre's The Wheel.
I think it's funny!

AgentPidge · 21/12/2025 13:51

Dramatic · 20/12/2025 22:32

All of the Wallace and Grommit's are on on Christmas Day

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Ooh, that's good to know! The new one was so good last year! Really made us laugh.

xmasstress12 · 21/12/2025 13:33

I was a little disappointed with the new knives out.

OttersMayHaveShifted · 21/12/2025 12:46

We haven't really watched scheduled tv for years. The kinds of things I used to watch over the Christmas period are all on streaming now anyway. Lame comedy series, soppy period dramas, game shows and talent shows - no thanks. We don't watch tv on Christmas Day anyway, but will no doubt be warching a film or two at some point between Christmas and NY.

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