BBC One: Britain’s Most-Watched Channel Navigates Change and Celebrates Festive Season

26 December 2025 Television

BBC One Remains UK Television’s Premier Destination

BBC One is the BBC’s flagship television channel, offering a wide range of programming including drama, entertainment, news, sport, and documentaries. As the UK’s most-watched television channel, BBC One delivers high-quality British content to millions of viewers daily. In 2025, the channel continues to evolve whilst maintaining its position as a cornerstone of British broadcasting, delivering everything from breaking news coverage to beloved entertainment programmes.

Historic Changes to Match of the Day

One of the most significant developments for BBC One in 2025 was Gary Lineker ending his run as the longest-serving presenter of Match of the Day, having announced in November 2024 that he would be departing the Premier League highlights edition shows at the end of the 2024-25 season. Lineker bid an emotional goodbye as he signed off hosting Match Of The Day after 26 years, saying it had been an “absolute privilege” and “utterly joyous” to front the show. In January 2025, the BBC announced that Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan would share the presenting of Match of the Day, Match of the Day 2 and Match of the Day: Champions League following Lineker’s departure.

Christmas 2025: A Festive Television Spectacular

The Christmas and New Year schedules have been revealed for BBC One and BBC Two. BBC One’s Christmas Day lineup features an impressive array of programming designed to bring families together. The schedule includes beloved animations like Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl at 11.40am, Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical at 1.00pm, followed by festive entertainment including the Gladiators Christmas Special, Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special at 5.30pm, and Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel at 6.45pm.

Call the Midwife will be bringing another special two-parter for the holidays – this time set across both Poplar and Hong Kong. A 15th season of the BBC drama is also expected to follow, as usual, in early 2026. The festive programming also includes new comedy specials and the return of popular shows, ensuring viewers have plenty of entertainment throughout the holiday period.

Programming Excellence and Diverse Content

Mornings open with breakfast news and topical features, moving into daytime factual shows, property and antiques formats, and popular quizzes. Late afternoon leads into early evening magazines before prime-time drama, entertainment and live sport. The channel’s commitment to quality programming spans multiple genres, from the long-running soap EastEnders to investigative journalism and sporting coverage.

Looking Ahead: BBC One’s Continuing Relevance

As BBC One navigates an increasingly competitive media landscape, the channel faces both challenges and opportunities. With streaming services offering instant access to content, traditional broadcast television must continually reinvent itself. However, BBC One’s strength lies in its ability to bring the nation together for shared viewing experiences—from major sporting events to appointment television drama and festive specials that remain cultural touchstones for millions of British households.