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Terrestrial TV Xmas shambles

(21 Posts)
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Sashabel Fri 31-Dec-21 12:12:38

Did the schedulers who planned the Xmas TV packages for BBC, ITV and Channel 4 just give up the ghost this year? Apart from a very small amount of original programming that was worth watching, the rest seems to be back to back cartoons during the day, followed by very old (and not very good) movies, or comedy shows dating back to the 1970's and 80's. Seeing as we are all being extra careful about mixing and a lot of us are staying at home, I have had to rely on my pay to view packages more and more to find something even half decent to watch. I know covid has made producing new programming difficult, but surely they could have come up with something a little more imaginative.

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Namsnanny Fri 31-Dec-21 12:46:52

Yes I tend to agree. A Very British Scandal and Mezzotint were the only high points I remember (yes it's only a few days ago!).
We are forced to buy other streaming services.
I stored up a couple of series to bing watch over the period, which goes for Netflix ect as well.
I find the old 80's programs, (well those they choose to put on) depressing. rarely is it a quality repeat.

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JaneJudge Fri 31-Dec-21 12:49:24

It has been terrible hasn't it?

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JaneJudge Fri 31-Dec-21 12:50:00

Loads of game shows, though family argument broke out during Lingo and it was fun spelling out insults to one another

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Teacheranne Fri 31-Dec-21 12:57:17

I’ve been watching programmes I recorded earlier in the year so I’ve just caught up with The Bay and Call the Midwife among others.

My sister from the US has been staying with me for Christmas and she thought our programmes were excellent, we enjoyed A Very British Scandal, Susan Colman’s cruise to Norway, Around the World in 80 Days and the Christmas specials of a few dramas.

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Mapleleaf Fri 31-Dec-21 13:09:06

The tv programming has been dreadful, overall. A few programmes worth a watch, but predominantly stupid game shows, cartoons and not very good old films (there are some good old films, but, no, we given dreadful ones, mainly. Jason and the Argonauts, anyone? no? Oh well, never mind, that’s what you’re having).

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Calistemon Fri 31-Dec-21 13:12:49

Sashabel

My theory is that they have all got together to put on old films, repeats etc with just one technician waking up occasionally, pressing a switch as he/she munches mince pies.

Everyone else has gone home to enjoy Christmas and New Year.

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Sashabel Fri 31-Dec-21 14:08:40

I used to work in television (an administration role) and they would start planning the Xmas programming in September. The people who put this trash together deserve the sack!!

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Beswitched Fri 31-Dec-21 14:18:15

Normally I would have loads of things highlighted for recording in the Radio Times. Didn't bother this year. The one or two things worth watching were easy to remember.

Has terrestrial TV just given up and let streaming services and Netflix win?

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Sashabel Fri 31-Dec-21 15:23:42

Yes, Beswitched, I think that may be the case.
Oh goody, goody, The Great Escape has just started on C4. It was only made 49 years ago and I've lost count of how many times I've seen it!!

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aonk Fri 31-Dec-21 15:57:12

I agree that the Christmas tv offerings were disappointing but we shouldn’t forget how hard it must be to produce new programmes at the moment.

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Blinko Fri 31-Dec-21 16:00:14

I’d agree with all that’s been said so far. Endless game shows and cartoons for children. They did however show Witness for the Prosecution, my absolute fave b/w film. Brilliant twist at the end!

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Visgir1 Fri 31-Dec-21 16:23:25

Agree totally rubbish over Christmas.
I just don't understand why Mrs Brown's Boys gets Christmas day, that really has, had its day. Plus too many game shows. Thank god for Netflix et al.

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Anniebach Fri 31-Dec-21 16:34:12

6 series of Downton Abby for 3rd time, and 11 series of Call
The Midwife for 2nd time, thank you BritBox.

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NotTooOld Fri 31-Dec-21 16:38:19

I agree. TV has been pretty rubbishy over Christmas. We have been reduced to watching DVDs of It Ain't Half Hot Mum as we don't have Netflix. I say reduced, but IAHHM is really funny even though we are watching it for the second time. I do resent paying for a TV licence when the BBC can't come up with any decent programmes.

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DiscoDancer1975 Fri 31-Dec-21 16:39:16

I think most people just at home stuff on line nowadays, all the time, not just Christmas.

So we have Netflix, Amazon Prime, Cartoon channels, YouTube, Spotify, plus DVD’s and a set top box with loads of things recorded.

Can’t remember the last time we watched live broadcasts, but you’re right, when we looked at the ‘ guide ‘ for stuff to tape over the Christmas period, there wasn’t much.

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DiscoDancer1975 Fri 31-Dec-21 16:40:40

‘Just watch stuff on line’....goodness knows where that other rubbish came from!

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MiniMoon Fri 31-Dec-21 17:17:29

I am seriously considering not renewing my tv license. The BBC has been dire for several years. I much prefer channel 5 news.
The only things I have enjoyed over Christmas have the been Only Connect and University Challenge Christmas specials, and Vienna Blood.

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BlueBelle Fri 31-Dec-21 17:23:48

Discodancer well that’s fine if you can afford all those extras a lot of us rely on ordinary freeview tv and pay a heavy licence fee to watch it
And yes it was dire

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aggie Fri 31-Dec-21 17:24:43

Did anyone enjoy the “ Lost ‘ Morecambe and Wise show ? It should have stayed lost !

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Calendargirl Fri 31-Dec-21 17:29:45

I’m looking forward to the Downton Abbey film tomorrow night. Have never seen it. Expect it will be a disappointment though.

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