At least ITV aren't offering virtually exactly the same line up as they've offered for the last few years, unlike the BBC.
So how pathetically early do we think the Christmas idents will arrive on the BBC this year. Saturday 18th December the obvious option, but were they not even earlier than that last year?
They always seem to like to launch them before the Strictly final or more recently, the Strictly semi-final. It's therefore slowly become one day earlier for years. I'm under the impression we're at the point (with Christmas Day being on Saturday this year) that we'd be looking at the ridiculous date of 11th December. I think we must have reached a point where it can now go back to 18th.
I've just checked on tv-live.org.uk that last year's did indeed launch on Saturday 12th December.
With Christmas Day being a Saturday, have the channels confirmed if there will be soaps?
Didn't ITV not air soaps the last time that it came around on a Saturday, was it in 2004? Didn't they opt to show World Idol, Creature Comforts, etc.
The Cube & Benidorm sound good for Christmas Day. I suppose it's a shame that they don't have a Christmas Special of The X Factor doing Christmas songs. In a way they could do a live show on the Saturday before Christmas, have voting lines closing some point mid week & air the results on Christmas Day, even though it'd be outside of the main competition, surely viewers would watch.
I like the idea of ITV having more entertainment on this Christmas, especially if they're going for Paul O'Grady, The Cube & Benidorm. It's better than endless murder mysteries, and it's a time for the family to get together around the sofa.
The Cube & Benidorm sound good for Christmas Day. I suppose it's a shame that they don't have a Christmas Special of The X Factor doing Christmas songs. In a way they could do a live show on the Saturday before Christmas, have voting lines closing some point mid week & air the results on Christmas Day, even though it'd be outside of the main competition, surely viewers would watch.
Simon Cowell risk not getting Christmas number one? Unlikely...
In a way they could do a live show on the Saturday before Christmas, have voting lines closing some point mid week & air the results on Christmas Day, even though it'd be outside of the main competition, surely viewers would watch.
Viewers might watch, but what about the advertisers ? The ad space around the X Factor final is the most lucrative 4 hours of the year for ITV in terms of ad spend, and it's timing is crucial in the run up to Christmas, when the shops are still open and people are still spending.
On Christmas Day, or after Christmas just wouldn't bring in the same numbers. As we know, it's only DFS and SCS that spend on advertising over Christmas.
At least ITV aren't offering virtually exactly the same line up as they've offered for the last few years, unlike the BBC.
Well, that's because ITV's line up flops every year and the BBC's doesn't. You may as well complain they show the same thing at 7.30 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Apart from 'stEnders the programme that's been on consecutive Christmasses the longest is Doctor Who, first shown in 2005.
ITV did show the soaps on Christmas Day 2004, in fact apart from 1993 they've shown Corrie on every Christmas Day since 1987, and Emmerdale since 1997.
EastEnders not even mentioned in that version yet.
I can't see The One Ronnie staying at 8pm Christmas Day as it says in the pullout - I would imagine EastEnders will air at 8pm, followed by The Royle Family then The One Ronnie. Plus I don't think the Strictly special was listed for Christmas Day either.
I always liked it when they split the EastEnders Christmas Day episode over two parts, but I don't think they've done that recently, and opt for the single 1-hour installment.
:-(
A former member
I cant see STV showing Maple again? on the Wednesday before hand,
