We outline the best TV to watch this Christmas 2015 on the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, Sky, Virgin and BT Sport. Plus: how to watch TV on your phone, tablet, laptop or PC.
See also: How to track the ISS on Christmas Eve.
Best TV to watch at Christmas: BBC
Highlights of the BBC's Christmas Day 2015 programming include:
4:45pm - Stick Man on BBC One
5:15pm - Doctor Who on BBC One
6:15pm - Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special on BBC One
7:30pm - Call the Midwife Christmas Special on BBC One
8:45pm – Eastenders on BBC One
Then at 10:25pm you can catch Michael McIntyre's Big Christmas Show on BBC One.
Of course, don't forget to tune in to the live Christmas Day service from Bath Abbey at 10am on Christmas Day on BBC One, and then The Queen's Speech at 3pm.
How to watch BBC TV on your phone, tablet, laptop or PC
BBC Channels are available on all UK digital, satellite and cable TV systems. You can watch live or catch-up via the BBC iPlayer. iPlayer is available online, or as an app native to most digital TV platforms including Sky TV. You can also use the iPlayer app via games consoles such as the PlayStations 3 and 4, and the Xbox One and Xbox 360.
There are BBC iPlayer apps for iPhone and iPad, as well as many recent Android devices. BBC content is free to view, but UK users must have a valid TV Licence in the house in which they live. (See also: How to watch UK TV when abroad.)
Best TV to watch at Christmas: ITV
ITV tends not to compete with the BBC at Christmas, as it makes all its money from advertising and no-one really wants to advertise at Christmas. ITV's big shows include Christmas episodes of Emmerdale (6:45pm) and Coronation Street (7:45pm). Also watch:
5pm – Paul O'Grady: For the love of dogs at Christmas
8:45pm – Downton Abbey – the Finale
On Boxing Day, be sure to tune in to Surprise Surprise at 7pm, particularly if you're a One Direction fan.
You might also like: Best Christmas TV ads 2015
How to watch ITV on your phone, tablet, laptop or PC
ITV channels are available on all UK digital, satellite and cable TV systems. You can watch live or catch-up via the ITV Player. ITV Player is available online, or as an app native to most digital TV platforms, including Sky TV.
There are ITV Player apps for iPhone and iPad, as well as many recent Android devices. ITV content is free to view and ad supported, but UK users must have a valid TV License in the house in which they live. (See also: How to connect a laptop to TV with HDMI and more.)
Best TV to watch at Christmas: Channel 4
Like ITV, Channel 4 tends to take it relatively easy over the Christmas period itself. You can catch the Alan Carr: Chatty Man Christmas Special at 9pm followed by the 8 out of 10 Cats special at 11pm, though.
Channel 4 is showing some great movies over Christmas including The Snowman, The Muppet Christmas Carol, Scrooged, Home Alone 2 and Ferris Bueller's Day off. Find out more about the best films to watch at Christmas here.
How to watch Channel 4 on your phone, tablet, laptop or PC
Channel 4 is available on all UK digital, satellite and cable TV systems. You can watch live or catch-up via the 4oD app. 4oD is available online, or as an app native to most digital platforms including Sky TV.
There are 4oD apps for iPhone and iPad, as well as many recent Android devices. Channel 4 content is free to view and ad supported, but UK users must have a valid TV Licence in the house in which they live.
See also: Best free Christmas apps for Android
Best TV to watch at Christmas: Channel 5
Channel 5 is bringing its own more specialist stylings to the Christmas period, with Michael Buble's Christmas 2015 special at 5:10pm, followed by Britain's Favourite Christmas Songs Countdown until 8:50pm when Chas & Dave's Xmas Knees Up begins.
How to watch Channel 5 on your phone, tablet, laptop or PC
Channel 5 is available on all UK digital, satellite and cable TV systems. You can watch live or catch-up via the Demand5 app. Demand 5 is available online, or as an app native to most digital TV platforms including Sky TV.
There are Demand5 apps for iPhone and iPad, as well as many recent Android devices. Channel 5 content is free to view and ad supported, but UK users must have a valid TV Licence in the house in which they live. (See also: Do I need a TV Licence?)
Best TV to watch at Christmas 2015: Sky TV / Virgin / BT Sport
Sky, Virgin and the rest are principally about movies and sport. Over Christmas the Sky Sports and BT Sport channels will be focused primarily on football. Sky in particular is big on movies, with hundreds of new movies available to watch on demand or live.
Sky's own channels also have their fair share of original programming, including the Stella: Christmas Special at 9pm on Sky 1.
Read next: How to make personalised Christmas videos
How to watch Sky TV / Virgin / BT Sport on your phone, tablet, laptop or PC
To watch Sky TV on your television, you need either a cable or satellite system or web-connected set-top box, and you need a subscription to Sky TV or to pay one-off for Sky Now. If you subscribe to BT or Virgin, you van also access some or all of Sky's TV channel via your ISP subscription, depending on who that is with and how much you pay. Content is viewable live or on-demand.
Sky subscribers can also (or instead) watch TV online or on mobile devices via the Sky Go apps, or online. Sky Now allows you to pay for daily or weekly access to Sky programming, viewable online or via mobile device.
To access BT Sport programming, you need a compatible set top box. BT Sport is free to BT broadband subscribers, but requires a monthly subscription for Sky- and Virgin TV subscriber s. BT Sport subscribers can also (or instead) watch TV online or on mobile devices via the BT Sport apps, or online. See also: Best smartphones of 2016.
Read next: How to create a Christmas playlist on YouTube
Best TV to watch at Christmas 2015 and how to watch TV on your phone, tablet, laptop or PC including BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 & Sky
Best TV to watch at Christmas 2015 and how to watch TV on your phone, tablet, laptop or PC including BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 & Sky
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