It would be lovely if it was on Christmas Day but I think it'll be on Boxing Day.

It's a bit frustrating as we still don't really know the length(s) of virtually all the programmes.

Surprisingly the Guardian readers don't seem impressed.
Then again they don't seem to like much at all, do they ?

Obviously if it's in that rag you can't trust it but in the unlikely event he has actually said any of this then it's the second story about maybe leaving XFUK he's sold to the press within days, the man's beyond parody.


Decent performances all round.

Sounds to me like Mapp and Lucia is the three-parter then.


Nothing from BBC Films' multiple Oscar-nominated releases in 2013? Odd.

The Rick Mayall and Julie Walters tributes sound good though.

Possibly, at teatime, or Christmas Day morning. Can't really see it being used in a prime slot.

I think it'll be The Muppets on Christmas Day afternoon. I don't think the other films are big enough and The Muppets has massive cross generational appeal. Esio Trott has been mentioned a lot but I reckon that'll be in prime time on New Year's Day, or possibly Boxing Day.

Christmas Eve afternoon possibly and the Muppets on Christmas Day. I can see The Boy in the Dress going out on Boxing Day early evening with Atlantis on the middle Saturday

To be fair what are ITV doing that might go on such a list? BOAF and what else (I genuinely dont know btw).
Also Radio Times is nothing to do with the BBC now is it?

No sign of a Len Goodman special this year. Pity.

Skyfall looks to be the movie highlight of the Christmas period, to name one.

Still, whilst I appreciate H Of De Vil's frustration as it's something I've moaned about in the past, the best thing to do is to vote with your wallet and buy a copy of the vastly superior TV and Satellite Week which does a much better job of flagging up the content worth seeing, regardless of what channel it may happen to be on.

Noticed the BBC have Avengers Assemble, does this mean they have the Marvel films now with their Disney contract? If so they could see some nice premières at Easter, and if they have the back catalogue they can stop repeating Indiana Jones and Pirates of the Caribbean 10 times a year.

I think Muppets is perfect for Christmas Day, but where will they fit Avengers, as I think the flop "John Carter" will be the NYE film as it wont matter too much if it rates too badly.

Last year they showed a bunch of high-profile films on the 23rd and 24th so probably there. Maybe even late on Christmas Eve night, wouldn't surprise me.

There is but it's on BBC 4 A big band special.

I think Avengers Assemble will air primetime Saturday 27th. John Carter as you say, would fit well in the New Year's Eve schedule. The Muppets for Boxing Day and Puss in Boots for Christmas afternoon. Madagascar 3 on New Year's Day early evening. The Pirates: Adventures with Scientists on Christmas Eve afternoon. But, whilst it's fun speculating, the only ones who think they know best are the schedulers. only a week to go before schedules are provisionally released!

"On Christmas Eve, BBC One presents the world premiere of the animated feature film, On Angel Wings"

Sounds like its longer than 30 minutes then?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/lat...us-Programming

Birds Of A Feather press pack has been released (for 2 episodes only), with a festive special titled 'Birds On A Plane'

Benidorm also. I'm thinking Birds Of A Feather will launch on either Xmas Eve or Day, with Benidorm on NYD.

One thing that has struck me about the film lineup on terrestrial this year is that Netflix is better for films than I give it credit for. A lot of the big titles this Christmas have been on the service for months. And even some of next year's Christmas titles, if it's true about Brave being held back until 2015.

I but Total TV Guide for the listings because it's clear, unbiased and well laid out. I buy the Radio Times for my collection. I have every single one from 1980 onwards.

They do have a favourite channel, which is highlighted in their programming list.

At the moment ITV have: (although short at the moment)

Birds Of A Feather ep1 Birds on a Plane, + ep2
Benidorm
Downton Abbey
Paul O' Grady For The Love Of Dogs
Skyfall
All Star Family Fortunes

That's some collection !

Not tried Total TV Guide. But very very happy with the layout of TV & Satellite Week and think it would be hard to beat. Has all the features I want and is unbiased in its coverage.

On the contrary I want EastEnders to beat Corrie and encourage ITV to do something about their struggling soap. Of course I don't want EE to fail.

Thanks Dancc. I buy What's on TV which is less biased than the Radio Times.

Btw Gotham was fantastic yesterday. What a fantastic series Ch5 have got.

Worth noting that GMB's audience was only 550,000 viewers yesterday. This is the start of the peak weeks of Xmas shopping, when advertisers are desperate to reach housewives with children, which GMTV used to deliver in spades. This programme must be costing ITV a fortune in lost advertising revenue.

Delighted you're enjoying it.

Waiting for DS to update for the exact figure but it increased its overnight audience last night to around 1.3m.

You've forgotten Epic Christmas fails for some reason!


No they have a target audience. ABC1 viewers who are willing to pay a premium price for a listings magazine. Family Fortunes and Benidorm are not exactly loved by that demographic.

Also why would Sky fall be in a list of TV highlights? Film and tv has always been separate in the RT

Well I suppose the competition slackened a bit, but good to see it rise. Tbh It really should be doing 2m for the money its costing, and timeshift less. Its also unfortunate that the rpt on Saturday rated poorly and has now been shunted later.

Against Miranda and Mrs Brown? Dream on.