The BBC has announced an extended Christmas schedule for its HD channel, with broadcasting from noon until the early hours from Christmas Eve to New Year's Day. The lineup includes festive films, comedy specials such as Gavin and Stacey and The Royle Family, and original dramas like The 39 Steps and the horror series There Was a Crooked House.
Danielle Nagler, Head of HDTV at BBC Vision, confirmed that the Strictly Come Dancing Results show will be broadcast in HD next year. She also noted ongoing discussions about bringing programmes like Merlin, Top Gear, and Formula 1 to the HD channel, though no firm commitments have been made yet.
The channel will also feature a selection of the best programmes from the past year, including Lost Land of the Jaguar, Michael Palin's New Europe, and the Wimbledon Men's Singles Final. Additionally, a new daytime channel tape, featuring a return of the classic BBC test card in high definition, will go on air this weekend.
Viewers have expressed interest in MotoGP and other sports in HD, but the BBC has not confirmed any plans. The extended Christmas hours aim to provide more HD content for audiences during the festive period.
