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Programmes
Mog's Christmas Animation of Judith Kerr's much loved children's story, featuring the voices of Benedict Cumberbatch and Tacy Kneale (Kerr's daughter). Sunday 24 December, Channel 4 19:45 (30mins)
Barry Humphries: The Last Laugh A look back at the late comic's life, using archive footage and with contributions from Nick Cave and Sharon Osbourne. Monday 25 December, ITV1 22:00 (60mins)
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Charles III: The Coronation Year A behind-the-scenes look at the coronation and the king's day-to-day work. Tuesday 26 December, BBC One 18:50 (95mins)
Royal Institution Christmas Lectures: The Truth about AI This year's series is given by Prof Mike Wooldridge, who explores the roots and impact of AI. Tuesday 26, Wednesday 27 and Thursday 28 December, BBC Four 20:00 (60mins each)
Mad About the Boy: The Noël Coward Story The writer, actor, director and singer's life is recounted through his own words, music and home movies. Tuesday 26 December, BBC Two 21:00 (90mins)
Murder Is Easy Two-part adaptation of Agatha Christie's novel. A young Nigerian arrives, in 1954, to take up a job at Whitehall, and is drawn into a mystery in the village of Wychwood. Wednesday 27 and Thursday 28 December, BBC One 21:00 (60mins each)
Imagine… French & Saunders: Pointed, Bitchy, Bitter Profile of the trailblazing comic duo – who met at drama school, and then together forged stellar careers in the previously male preserve of British comedy. Wednesday 27 December, BBC One 22:30 (90mins)
Attenborough and the Giant Sea Monster David Attenborough investigates the discovery of a 150-million-year-old ocean predator's fossilised skull in a cliff in Dorset. Monday 1 January, BBC One 20:00 (60mins)
Mr Bates vs The Post Office Dramatisation of one of the biggest miscarriages of justice in British history, in which hundreds of subpostmasters were falsely accused of stealing. With Toby Jones and Monica Dolan. Monday 1, Tuesday 2, Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4 January, ITV1 21:00 (60mins each)
Peaky Blinders: Rambert's The Redemption of Thomas Shelby The renowned dance company adapts Steven Knight's gangster drama for the stage, with live music and narration by the late Benjamin Zephaniah. Monday 1 January, BBC One 21:25 (105mins)
Truelove Six-part drama about a group of older friends who make a pact that should they one day be facing a horrible decline, they will help each other to die. Clarke Peters and Lindsay Duncan star. Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4 January, Channel 4 21:00 (60mins each)
Films
It's a Wonderful Life (1947) It wouldn't be Christmas without Frank Capra's evergreen heartwarmer about an angel sent to Earth, starring James Stewart. Saturday 23 December, Channel 4 16:30 (150mins)
The Magnificent Seven (1960) Classic western about a group of gunslingers hired to save a village from bandits. Yul Brynner leads an all-star cast. Monday 1 January, BBC Two 14:30 (130mins)
Florence Foster Jenkins (2016) Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant star in this jolly film about a real life New York heiress with no talent for singing who was determined to become an opera singer. Thursday 4 January, BBC One 00:05 (105mins)
New to subscription TV
Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget In this "uproarious sequel", said The Daily Telegraph, rebellious teenage chook Molly (voiced by Bella Ramsey) escapes on her own adventure. On Netflix
Fool Me Once Bingeable mystery based on Harlan Coben's novel. A mother is drawn into a conspiracy when her murdered husband appears on a secret nanny-cam. From 1 January, on Netflix
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How Utah became a media focal pointIn Depth From #MomTok to reality TV gems, Utah has emerged as a media powerhouse
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‘The security implications are harder still to dismiss’Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
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Sudoku: January 2026Puzzles The daily medium sudoku puzzle from The Week
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Striking homes with indoor poolsFeature Featuring a Queen Anne mansion near Chicago and mid-century modern masterpiece in Washington
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Golden Globes affirm ‘One Battle,’ boost ‘Hamnet’Speed Read Comedian Nikki Glaser hosted the ceremony
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Film reviews: ‘No Other Choice,’ ‘Dead Man’s Wire,’ and ‘Father Mother Sister Brother’Feature A victim of downsizing turns murderous, an angry Indiana man takes a lender hostage, and a portrait of family by way of three awkward gatherings
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Courgette and leek ijeh (Arabic frittata) recipeThe Week Recommends Soft leeks, tender courgette, and fragrant spices make a crisp frittata
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Avatar: Fire and Ash – third instalment feels like ‘a relic of an earlier era’Talking Point Latest sequel in James Cameron’s passion project is even ‘more humourless’ than the last
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The Zorg: meticulously researched book is likely to ‘become a classic’The Week Recommends Siddharth Kara’s harrowing account of the voyage that helped kick-start the anti-slavery movement
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The Housemaid: an enjoyably ‘pulpy’ concoctionThe Week Recommends Formulaic psychological horror with Sydney Sweeney is ‘kind of a scream’
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William Nicholson: a ‘rich and varied’ exhibitionThe Week Recommends The wide-ranging show brings together portraits, illustrations, prints and posters, alongside ‘ravishing’ still lifes
