
The best Christmas TV to watch this year
Our guide to the best TV shows, Christmas specials and returning favourites on television over Christmas 2016
Christmas is a time for presents, overindulgence and really good telly. This year we’ve got detective dramas like ‘Witness for the Prosecution’ and ‘Maigret’s Dead Man’, Christmas classics like ‘Doctor Who’ and ‘Call the Midwife’, and returning favourites with ‘Outnumbered’, ‘Charlie Brooker’s 2016 Wipe’ and ‘Inside No 9’. Not forgetting the start of ‘Sherlock’ series four on New Year’s Day. These TV treats are guaranteed to keep you glued to the box from Christmas Eve until 2017.
RECOMMENDED: The best films on TV this Christmas
The best Christmas TV

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt
Channel 4 is bringing Michael Rosen’s charming kids’ story to the small screen this Christmas, with Olivia Colman and Pam Ferris lending their voices to the animation. Expect to feel fantastically festive. And five again.
Christmas Eve, 7.30pm, Channel 4.

Carols from King’s
Christmas Eve, 5.45pm, BBC2.

Granchester
Christmas Eve, 9pm, ITV.

Gogglesproggs Christmas Special
Small humans have their say on the weird and not-so-wonderful events of 2016. If we can’t get our adult heads around it, god knows what this little lot will think.
Christmas Eve, 8pm, Channel 4.

Top of the Pops Christmas
Christmas Day, 1.50pm, BBC1.

The Great Christmas Bake Off
Christmas Day, 4.45pm and Boxing Day, 7pm, BBC1.

Doctor Who
Christmas Day, 5.45pm, BBC1.

The Last Dragonslayer
Christmas Day, 5.45pm, Sky1.

Call the Midwife
Christmas Day, 8pm, BBC1.

Maigret’s Dead Man
Christmas Day, 9pm, ITV.
Fancy a festive film instead?
The 50 best Christmas movies
From psycho Santas and home-invading thieves to feelgood fireside frolics and cockle-warming cosiness, our cinematic sack is bulging with treats.
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