This December, television viewers in the UK are in for a festive treat, with a veritable avalanche of holiday programming set to premiere across streaming services, cable, and broadcast networks. From the moment the month begins, there's a new premiere nearly every day, offering a diverse mix of animated specials, heartwarming rom-coms, musical extravaganzas, and timeless classics.
A December to Remember: Daily Highlights
The festive season kicks off on December 1st with The Wonderful World of Disney: Holiday Spectacular on ABC, hosted by Derek Hough and featuring performances from stars like Nicole Scherzinger and Gwen Stefani. The very next day, December 3rd, brings two major events: Reba McEntire hosts the iconic Christmas in Rockefeller Center tree lighting on NBC, featuring a 50,000-light Norway spruce, while Netflix offers a glimpse into the Duchess of Sussex's holiday world in With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration.
As the month unfolds, the schedule remains packed. Apple TV+ debuts The First Snow of Fraggle Rock on December 5th, and Hallmark Channel favourite Lacey Chabert returns in She's Making a List on December 6th. For those seeking intrigue, UPtv presents A Christmas Murder Mystery on December 7th, and Acorn TV offers a bomb-defusing festive case in The Madame Blanc Mysteries special on December 15th.
Star-Studded Specials and Returning Favourites
Music and comedy take centre stage with several high-profile specials. Kevin Costner narrates the biblical story in Kevin Costner Presents: The First Christmas on December 9th, while December 11th sees a repeat of Jimmy Fallon’s Holiday Seasoning Spectacular, featuring the Jonas Brothers and Justin Timberlake. The beloved animated classic A Charlie Brown Christmas streams free on Apple TV+ on December 13th and 14th.
Rom-com fans are particularly well-served. Prime Video offers Merv, starring Zooey Deschanel and Charlie Cox, on December 10th. Hallmark delivers A Suite Holiday Romance on December 13th and the interfaith Hanukkah story Oy to the World! on December 14th. Even the sports comedy gets a festive twist with Lifetime's pickleball-themed A Pickleball Christmas on December 20th.
Classic Films and Festive Finales
No December would be complete without the perennial favourites. AMC hosts an eight-hour marathon of Elf on December 12th. The iconic The Sound of Music airs on ABC on December 21st, followed by the family favourite Home Alone on Christmas Eve. For a different kind of tradition, Netflix serves up a double-header of NFL games on Christmas Day, featuring the Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Commanders and the Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings.
With such an abundant and varied selection, this year's festive TV schedule truly offers something for every taste, ensuring that viewers can enjoy a cosy and entertaining holiday season from the comfort of their sofas.
