- Fans are disappointed by the 2025 Christmas TV line-up, saying it falls short compared to previous years
- Criticism focused on the BBC’s and ITV’s schedules, with repeats and uninspiring programming causing frustration
- Amandaland’s Christmas special is seen as a highlight, praised amidst a generally criticised line-up
All the major UK channels have rolled out their festive TV schedule, and 2025’s line-up hasn’t quite lived up to expectations.
The most wonderful time of the year is almost upon us, when families eat their fill of Christmas dinner with all the trimmings before hunkering down for a night of TV specials.
Last year was truly packed with back-to-back delights, including the record-breaking Gavin and Stacey, a classic Doctor Who special, a new Wallace and Gromit and Outnumbered – and that was just on the BBC.
Over on ITV, soap fans sat down for Emmerdale and Corrie, followed by a helping of The Chase: Celebrity Special, while on Channel 4 there was the usual alternative Christmas message, a Bake Off special and plenty of movies in between.
Although there are still plenty of those elements for fans to look forward to, people have shared their disappointment over a more lacklustre line-up this year.
The BBC is offering up Celebrity Gladiators and Strictly, ITV has Bullseye, and not much has changed when it comes to Channel 4.
Why are TV fans so angry about Christmas TV this year?
Very little seems to compare to the highs of last year.
‘This is truly awful. There is not one programme on all three channels I want to watch,’ Michael Wood claimed on X.
‘Its all a bit bleak isn’t it,’ neptunestardust shared.
‘BBC Christmas TV used to have Nigella, an expensive six-part Andrew Davies period drama adaptation or a gritty Agatha Christie, what happened?’ Amelia Hockey asked.
‘Absolutely zero Christmas specials of any interest this year,’ Liam Hall lamented.
‘Oi man TV is dying a FAST death,’ DeOne declared.
‘This is just a normal ITV schedule with the word Christmas slapped on it,’ TharriesYT added.
‘The days of Christmas TV being an event is long gone isn’t it. Last year on the BBC being an anomaly,’ Bendrix shared.
‘The terrestrials have given up on Xmas. Everyone’s moved to streaming. It’s inevitable, but I miss the days when you could sit in front of one channel all day at Xmas if you wanted to,’ Benet Catt reflected.
And there was plenty of woe of the heavily criticised Mrs Browns Boys making the cut, again.
‘Mrs’ Browns Boys ruining my Christmas Day again,’ Alan Hartnett said.
‘Ending Christmas day with Mrs Browns Boys is diabolical behaviour,’ Linds echoed.
The one festive special fans are already calling a ‘clear hit’
Although if there’s one exception to the rule, it seems to be the highly anticipated Amandaland Christmas special.
After a hugely successful first season, the Motherland spin-off focused on Lucy Punch’s hoity-toity character Amanda, is back with a festive treat starring AbFab icons Joanna Lumley and Jennifer Saunders.
‘At least we have Amandaland to look forward to,’ Allan Yonge wrote.
‘Amandaland being the only clear hit,’ masseduction shared.
‘Literally one thing there I will bother with…Amandaland,’ sassycassyl added.
‘The way Amandaland is saving an absolute flop of a Christmas,’ Rebecca echoed.
‘Amandaland and Two Doors Down are delightful! But other than that, yeah,; PJ Benney agreed.
‘Amandaland is the only thing I’ll be watching,’ HTheCritical said.
What to look forward to on TV for Christmas 2025
Of course, there are some who are still looking forward to Christmas TV.
From Two Doors Down to Channel 4’s classic schedule to Call The Midwife and beyond, there is still a lot to look forward to across the board through the week.
A Ghost Story for Christmas: The Room in the Tower starring Mark Gatiss and, yet again, Joanna Lumley, will air on BBC Two on Christmas Eve.
The cast of Peep Show will be fronting Channel 4’s Bake Off special, and they’ll also be releasing Lenny Rush and James Buckley’s comedy, Dear Father Christmas over the bank holiday.
Meanwhile, soap fans will be offered the usual festive drama whether tuning into Albert Square or Weatherfield.
For those reminiscing on the days of yore, the Gavin and Stacey special will even re-run on December 24.
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