More than half of BBC festive shows are repeats this year

During the festive season, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) will air notable repetition of content across its channels. Specifically, an analysis of the Christmas programming indicates that more than half of the shows scheduled on BBC1 and BBC2 will be reruns. Recent data reveals that 35% of the festive content on BBC1 consists of previously aired programming, which is a slight increase from the 32% noted the previous year. Meanwhile, BBC2's repeat rate has risen to a significant 72%, up from 69% in the past year. Collectively, this means that nearly 54% of programming across both channels has been presented to audiences before, which also reflects an increase from 49% the year before. The line-up of repeats features popular shows such as Dad’s Army, Keeping Up Appearances, and classic films like Shrek and The Sound of Music. This trend highlights the BBC's reliance on established content during the festive period. In contrast to its programming trend, BBC1 has introduced some new highlights for Christmas Day. Noteworthy additions include the return of beloved characters Wallace & Gromit and the airing of the highly anticipated Gavin and Stacey finale, which will compete against ITV's Downton Abbey: A New Era at 9pm. BBC1 will also present viewers with fresh episodes of long-standing series such as Doctor Who, Call the Midwife, and Mrs Brown’s Boys. This effort to incorporate new content serves to blend tradition with fresh storytelling during a time recognized for its viewing habits of families gathered around the television. While BBC is planning a combination of both repeats and new episodes, the competition from other networks remains strong. An analysis of ITV's holiday programming reveals that approximately 35% of their lineup will consist of repeats as well. Among ITV's offerings on Christmas Day are fan-favorite programs such as The Chase Celebrity Christmas Special, Coronation Street, and Emmerdale. Clearly, the trend of airing familiar content isn’t limited to the BBC, reflecting a wider industry pattern in festive programming. The BBC has defended its choices surrounding festive programming, stating its commitment to investing in British content more than any other broadcaster. They assert that 90% of BBC1's prime-time Christmas week shows are newly produced. Nevertheless, the increased reliance on reruns raises questions about the overall innovation in holiday television programming. As viewers prepare for the holiday season, the balance between cherished programs and fresh narratives continues to be a topic of discussion, highlighting the evolving landscape of holiday entertainment in Britain.