BBC forced to defend Christmas schedule as angry Brits fume over selection

The BBC has defended their Christmas schedule as some are fuming over the selection.

In between gift-opening and turkey-eating, families up and down the country love to whack on a bit of festive TV at some point in the day.

In and amongst the most-watched channels is BBC One which is bringing back the usual suspects - the King’s Christmas Broadcast, a feature film and a Strictly special.

Viewers will be also treated to a brand new episode of Doctor Who (complete with a new Doctor played by Ncuti Gatwa), the final ever episode of the sitcom Ghosts, new documentary Attenborough and the Giant Sea Monster and Nigella Lawson is set to show us how they do Christmas in Amsterdam.

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Talking about this year’s schedule, Charlotte Moore, BBC Chief Content Officer said: “This year’s Christmas line-up on the BBC is an extravaganza of must watch shows!

“Join us as we welcome a brand new Doctor and wave goodbye to our beloved sitcom Ghosts. Alongside a spectacular range of entertainment, drama, comedy and factual programming across the festive fortnight.

“It’s essential viewing for everyone as we bring friends and families together across the UK.”

However, not everyone is totally on board.

Taking to X (Twitter) one user shared a photo of suspected horse s**t alongside the caption: "If you were wondering, here is the BBC’s schedule for TV over Christmas."

"It's disappointing that they lack creativity and fail to provide engaging content. I won't be tuning in on Christmas Day," a second added.

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And some aren't happy with the return of Mrs Brown's Boys.

“Mrs Brown’s Boys is back with two episodes as Mammy tries to enjoy a nice, peaceful Christmas before the whole gang start the New Year by attempting a tough new health and fitness regime,” the BBC said.

One wrote: “Not Mrs Brown's Boys I’VE HAD ENOUGH the most unfunny show ever.”

Another said: “Can someone just end Mrs Brown’s Boys…”

Defending the Xmas schedule, Moore told The Telegraph: “They are all new episodes of what we know are the audience’s favourite shows from the year.

“The new Doctor Who and the final ever episode of Ghosts are a big deal for our audiences, and we know they’re really special.

“We know that Beyond Paradise [on Christmas Eve] and Death in Paradise [Boxing Day] are two of our biggest dramas of the year, so we’ve got specials of those.

“They’re tried and tested. We know they’re what audiences want and that’s why we always do so well at Christmas.”

This year's Christmas film of choice will be the divisive Toy Story 4.

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“Over Christmas now, people choose to watch things together at different times. People have their Christmas dinner at different times. In the old days, people timed things around the schedule,” she said.

“Particularly younger people, but also older people, are watching much more on-demand now.

“But a lot of people still do watch the live schedule so we put a lot of time and thought into that. We have to be mindful of people who are watching live and also people who are watching on iPlayer. It’s a much more complex jigsaw puzzle than it ever used to be.

“There is infinite choice now - it’s not just about what’s on ‘the other side’. My job is to make people feel they get value for the BBC; that whoever you are, and whatever kind of programmes you like, there’s something that only the BBC will have, to make you feel satisfied.”