[JMT1985]

The British channels are going the way the American channels have gone - the American networks do nothing for the Christmas period.

All Christmas specials for them are placed in early to mid December, where all the ad revenue can be gained from, and that has been the case now for decades. Putting their big hit shows Christmas specials on air between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day was/is financial hell for them, so you find their Christmas specials (if they bother to do any) placed in the first three weeks in December.

BBC however do try at least a bit more than ITV - ITV of course never really bother with Christmas, they have the American attitude, where they focus their shows around when naturally the ad revenue will be large, which is usually September until mid December.

BBC are still the only ones who every year produce new Christmas idents, I think since they are publicly funded, they feel they have to do it - however they have seen the rapid decline in Christmas audience ratings, and so the attitude will always be why should they bother?

Why put big dramas, big comedies on Christmas slots, and then get a third of the audience they would achieve say in October or March?