The same time slot on ITV will be filled by Paul O’Grady For The Love Of Dogs At Christmas, followed by Coronation Street. The programme's scheduled running time has been extended by five minutes in recent days from a previous start time of 7.45pm, giving the BBC a small but important head-start in capturing viewers’ attention. Call the Midwife will air on BBC One from 7.40pm to 9pm.
According to confirmed schedules, it will be broadcast at 7.45pm to 9pm, bringing back old contestants to compete for Christmas-themed challenges. The Great British Bake Off will be aired on Channel 4 for the first time this festive season, after its shock move from the BBC this year. This year, Channel 4 is to enter the fray, as it pitches the Great British Bake Off against the BBC’s most-watched show last Christmas, Call the Midwife.
For years, the Christmas Day television ratings battle has been more or less a straight contest between the BBC and ITV, with tried-and-tested staples from the Queen’s speech to EastEnders and Strictly dominating the schedules.
