BBC Four TV Guide

BBC Four dives into culture, history, arts and world cinema with thoughtful documentaries, acclaimed drama and curated film seasons. See what's on BBC Four on Saturday 20 December 2025 with full listings and upcoming programmes.

Heads up: you're viewing listings from Saturday 20 December 2025. Jump to today's schedule.

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The Story of Fairytale of New York

All eight members of The Pogues return to the studio where their biggest hit - and the nation's favourite Christmas single - was recorded, to tell the story behind the song.

Runtime: 1 hr

Top of the Pops

Jamie Theakston presents the pop chart programme, featuring Jay-Z, Manic Street Preachers, Bryan Adams and Melanie C, Brandy, LeAnn Rimes, Emilia, Robbie Williams and Cher.

Runtime: 30 min

Top of the Pops

Jayne Middlemiss presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 18 December 1998 and featuring The Beautiful South, Spice Girls, Honeyz, Billie Piper, REM and B*Witched.

Runtime: 30 min

Top of the Pops

Jayne Middlemiss, Kate Thornton and Jamie Theakston present the Top of the Pops Christmas special from 1998, featuring Spice Girls, Robbie Williams, B*Witched, Fat Les, LeAnn Rimes and Boyzone.

Runtime: 1 hr

This is BBC Four

Programmes start at 7.00pm.

Runtime: 2 hr

This is BBC Four

Daily from 7.00pm.

Runtime: 13 hr 28 min

This is BBC Four

Programmes start at 7.00pm.

Runtime: 2 min

From Andy Pandy to Zebedee: The Golden Age of Children's Television

Nigel Planer narrates the story of the struggle to make programmes for children in the days before everything went digital.

Runtime: 1 hr

Remembers...

Derek Griffiths Remembers... Bod

Derek Griffiths, himself an icon of children's broadcasting, looks back on the 1970s animated series Bod, a cult classic narrated by John Le Mesurier of Dad’s Army fame.

Runtime: 15 min

Bod

It's Christmas time, and Bod has a present to deliver to Aunt Flo. When heavy snow threatens to prevent the delivery, a special person lends a hand. Narrated by John Le Mesurier.

Runtime: 15 min

John Le Mesurier: It's All Been Rather Lovely

Candid portrait of actor John Le Mesurier, from his turbulent marriage to Hattie Jacques to his life-changing role as Sergeant Wilson in Dad's Army.

Runtime: 1 hr

Dad's Army

The Love of Three Oranges

A special Christmas episode from 1976. Three oranges are to be auctioned, and Captain Mainwaring is determined to get one for his wife.

Runtime: 35 min

Mike Yarwood at the BBC

Rory Bremner looks back at the life and career of Mike Yarwood, master of the imitation game and one of the BBC's most successful stars of the 1970s and 80s.

Runtime: 1 hr

Parkinson

Parkinson at Christmas with Peter Cook, Tommy Cooper, Dame Edna and Catherine Bramwell-Booth

In a Christmas special, first broadcast on 25 December 1979, Michael Parkinson talks to Peter Cook, Tommy Cooper, Dame Edna Everage and Catherine Bramwell-Booth.

Runtime: 1 hr 20 min

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is on BBC Four tonight?

Tonight (Saturday 20 December) on BBC Four, you can watch This is BBC Four, From Andy Pandy to Zebedee: The Golden Age of Children's Television, Remembers..., and Bod. Check the full schedule for more details.

How can I watch BBC Four live?

You can watch BBC Four live on the official bbc.co.uk website or app. Use the 'Watch Live' button to go directly to the player.

When does programming end on BBC Four today?

Today's programming on BBC Four ends at 00:25 with Parkinson.

Is this TV schedule shown in UK time or my local time?

All times shown on this page are automatically converted to your local device timezone for easy viewing, though the original UK broadcast time is also displayed.

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