To ask what mumsnetters think of the BBC1 and ITV Christmas Day TV scheduling this year ?

[SaintlyLady]

I’m just focusing on these 2 channels cuz I was born early 70s and everyone says

‘remember when we had 3 channels’ and I be like -

“excuse me? We had 2! No one really watched bbc2 or Channel 4!’

so - I grew up with TWO channels - main ones BBC1 and ITV.

i don’t use Netflix or any other streaming services which are now to many to mention - just 2 channels for me - BBC1 and ITV.

So what do people think of what’s on offer this Xmas Day on these 2 channels?

We won't watch anything on Xmas day, but I'll likely watch Amandaland and the rest of the family will watch Gladiators at some point.

For me it's Eastenders. I can't wait for Christmas day tv. First time in years I won't have to spend it with my miserable in laws or STBX husband. They can put any amount of repeats on and I shall be happy as a pig in the proverbial. Bring on 2026.

Can honestly say we rarely watch TV on Christmas day. Maybe put on some Christmas films from a streaming platform with the kids after dinner but that's about it. Anything worth watching such as Gavin & Stacey last year etc I usually watch on catch up in the days following Christmas day rather than live. I've long stopped watching soaps - all far too depressing, and yeah as someone up thread said BBC don't do themselves any favours every year putting out rubbish such as Mrs Brown's Boys.

Oh God, I remember years ago an Irish teacher where I worked in support put on an episode as a "treat" for the upcoming school Christmas holidays. I think the students would rather have done their college work!

Every comment I have ever seen about Mrs Brown’s Boys has been negative. Not just negative, but vitriolic. Judging from the comments on this thread, everyone agrees. So who is it that prompts the BBC to put out this rubbish year on year. They must be determined to lose licence payers.

We always have guests on Christmas day so don't have the TV on.

The only thing I will catch up on is Call the Midwife. Nothing else if interest at all. I do watch Strictly, but the Christmas version just doesn't match up.

I always imagine the decision making at the BBC with their insistence with Mrs Brown's Boys is similar to how the BBC producers were implied on Extras with the sitcom When the Whistle Blows - a lowest-common-denominator comedy that relies on a multitude of catchphrases, cringey stereotypes and silly costumes/wigs for cheap laughs.

I think that it is awful. I haven't watched any of the soaps for 15 years. I might watch call the midwife but it isn't as good as what it use to be.

Just Call the Midwife though the Xmas episode is usually super syrupy.

Looking forward to The Scarecrows Wedding - one of my favourite Julia Donaldson books. Will also watch Amandaland but probably not on the day itself.

Surely complaining about shit TV at Christmas is a Christmas tradition in itself!

I could’ve written this post in December 2016 with the exception that my in-laws were pleasant.
2017 was a happy and positive year! I hope that 2026 will be similar for you.

The only thing I’ll watch from all those is Amandaland and probably not on the day.

We generally have on some sort of Christmas movie in the morning after present opening, but will likely stream one. Then no TV really the rest of the day. From around 8pm I’ll be on my own and will probably just watch whatever series I’m on at the time, like a usual night.

We love Gladiators, so that's a definite. Probably watch Strictly and Shaun the Sheep. Quite like 1%club. I usually love the Julia Donaldson, but I can't watch/read Scarecrow's Wedding because it reminds too much of a bad time

I wouldn’t watch any of the programmes listed even if you paid me. Absolutely dire. Netflix, Apple TV and Prime for me.

Raiders of the Lost Ark, I mean, come on, are they serious?

Mrs Brown’s Boys is popular and not with the type of people that work at the BBC, so it’s not like it’s a project they champion. It’s one of those programmes that gets terrible reviews but lots of people love.

I don’t, it’s awful, but at least the bbc is giving the audience what they want, which it’s sometimes criticised for not doing.

I haven't looked at the Radio Times yet, not sure it's out yet, it's free on PressReader from the library but I watch Call the Midwife and Eastenders so that's all good for me

I doubt there is much on the streaming channels either though, probably a few old Christmas films and the usual cheap made rubbish. A lot of current series have Christmas breaks.

Looking forward to the Christmas tv guides coming out. Reminds me of Christmas with my nan!

Never watch terrestrial TV unless there's a good series.

I love strictly and one percent club that’s about it.

I love Strictly but the Christmas Day one is lame.

Looks dire. But I guess we were spoilt last year with the final Gavin and Stacey and the Wallace and Gromit.

Call the Midwife I’ve never watched, tbh the sentimental trailers put me off. And I don’t get the love for Motherland, just a load of middle class underemployed whiny mums. so I guess Amandaland won’t be my thing.