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Friday, Dec. 19
College Football
ABC & ESPN, beginning at 11am Live
Bowl game coverage on ESPN features Kennesaw State vs. Western Michigan in the Myrtle Beach Bowl in South Carolina and Memphis vs. NC State in the Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl in Tampa, Florida. The College Football Playoff begins with No. 9 Alabama at No. 8 Oklahoma in a first-round game on ABC and ESPN.
The Seduction
HBO Max
Season Finale!
This drama from France, freely adapted from the 18th century novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, concludes its first season. Anamaria Vartolomei stars as the Marquise de Merteuil and Vincent Lacoste plays Valmont.
The Great Flood
Netflix
Original Film!
Set on the last day on Earth, this South Korean sci-fi disaster film unfolds as a catastrophic flood submerges the world and leaves a handful of survivors stranded in a sinking apartment building.
Faith MOVIES!
MOVIES!, beginning at 6:20am
Catch a Classic!
Some of Hollywood’s best-loved religious films fill the screen on this day in the run-up to the holidays. First, Loretta Young and Celeste Holm are French nuns who help build a New England children’s hospital in the 1949 dramedy Come to the Stable. That’s followed by familiar epic fare: John Huston directs, narrates and leads an all-star cast, playing Noah in 1966’s The Bible: In the Beginning; Robert Powell plays the title role and costars with Olivia Hussey and Anne Bancroft in Part I of 1977’s Jesus of Nazareth, followed by Part II; then, Richard Burton and Jean Simmons costar in 1953’s The Robe, inspired by the story of Christ, followed by a sequel, the 1954 drama Demetrius and the Gladiators, starring Victor Mature and Susan Hayward.
Happy’s Place: “Izzy and the Professor”
NBC, 8pm
Guest Star Alert!
When Isabella starts dating again, Bobbie (Reba McEntire) can’t wait to meet her new man until she learns Isabella (Belissa Escobedo) is dating her professor. Christopher Lloyd guest-stars as Clive, a gentleman who has lost his phone at Happy’s Place and comes back to retrieve it. Carol Kane guest-stars as Theresa, a free-spirited woman in pursuit of justice, excitement and her husband, Clive.
Sheriff Country
CBS, 8pm
Midseason Finale!
After a father and son flee a secluded ranch run by one of Edgewater’s most powerful families, Mickey (Morena Baccarin) investigates disturbing allegations of abuse and uncovers dangerous secrets in the midseason finale episode “Crucible, Part 1.”
Yogi’s First Christmas
The CW, 8pm
In this 1980 animated special, the gang wakes Yogi Bear (voice of Daws Butler) out of his winter sleep during Christmas to help convince Mrs. Throckmorton (Janet Waldo) to keep Jellystone Lodge open.
Holiday Inn
FMC, 8pm
Catch a Classic!
Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire showcase their song-and-dance act in a country inn that is only open for the holidays. This winning 1942 musical also stars Marjorie Reynolds and Virginia Dale and boasts the first filmed version of Irving Berlin’s timeless classic “White Christmas.”
Twelve Dates ’Til Christmas
Hallmark Channel, 8pm
Series Finale!
The charming rom-com comes to a close tonight. As Kate (Mae Whitman) finishes up her 12 dates before the holiday, she makes some important discoveries about herself.
Sweet Holiday Romance
Lifetime, 8pm
Original Film!
Amanda (Erin Karpluk), a world-renowned pastry chef, is looking to reclaim her title as the Queen of Christmas Cookies, so she enters a competition that requires bakers to work with a local business to create the best confections. She decides to pair with The Little Shop of Fudge, but little does she know that the owner left her handsome nephew, Simon (Christopher Russell), in charge of operations, and he doesn’t have a clue about making fudge.
Fire Country
CBS, 9pm
Midseason Finale!
In the midseason finale episode “Who Owns the Dirt?,” a red flag warning sets the stage for a turf war between Station 42 and neighboring Drake County.
My Lottery Dream Home: David’s Happy Ending
HGTV, 9pm
In this one-hour special, HGTV star David Bromstad will begin a fairy tale-inspired renovation on his new home — with plans to update the kitchen and add an extension with a main bedroom, walk-in closet and theater — but he never expects to embark on a four-year-long journey. After a massive storm causes the house to flood, David will demo the entire house down to the studs, but when the stress and pressure become too much, he’ll make the tough decision to pause the project for a year due to its mental and physical toll. During a healing trip to Norway, he draws inspiration from the architecture in his ancestral homeland and shifts gears away from the fairy tale design. Instead, to create his forever dream home, he’ll lean into something even more unique that represents this new chapter in his journey.
Boston Blue
CBS, 10pm
Midseason Finale!
Mae (Gloria Reuben) faces public and family backlash over the consequences of her past decisions in the fall season finale “Collateral Damage.”
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Saturday, Dec. 20
College Football: CFP First Round
ABC, ESPN & TNT/truTV, beginning at 12pm Live
The College Football Playoff first round wraps up with No. 10 Miami at No. 7 Texas A&M on ESPN and ABC, followed by No. 11 Tulane at No. 6 Ole Miss and No. 12 James Madison at No. 5 Oregon on TNT/truTV. Winners advance to the quarterfinal round beginning Dec. 31.
College Basketball
CBS & ESPN, beginning at 12:30pm Live
The CBS Sports Classic in Atlanta has Kentucky vs. St. John’s and North Carolina vs. Ohio State on CBS. Houston takes on Arkansas in the Never Forget Tribute Classic in Newark, New Jersey, also on CBS. Then, catch Texas Tech vs. Duke in the SentinelOne Classic at New York City’s Madison Square Garden on ESPN.
Marilyn Monroe Icon-a-Thon
MOVIES!, beginning at 3:20pm
Catch a Classic!
Enjoy five movies featuring the incomparable Marilyn Monroe. The Icon-a-Thon begins with O. Henry’s Full House (1952), a film anthology of five stories from author O. Henry. Monroe plays an early 20th century streetwalker in the first story, “The Cop and the Anthem.” Then, enjoy Monroe in several comedy and musical films that catapulted her to superstardom. She stars with Lauren Bacall and Betty Grable in 1953’s How to Marry a Millionaire, playing a sometimes-glasses-wearing gold digger. The next films feature some of Monroe’s most memorable musical performances, including “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” in Gentleman Prefer Blondes (1953), costarring Jane Russell; “My Heart Belongs to Daddy” in Let’s Make Love (1960), a film also featuring French actor Yves Montand, with whom Monroe had an affair during filming; and “Heat Wave” in 1954’s There’s No Business Like Show Business.
NFL Football
FOX, beginning at 5pm Live
Saturday NFL action on FOX has two key divisional matchups with the Philadelphia Eagles at the Washington Commanders in an NFC East showdown and the Green Bay Packers at the Chicago Bears in a classic NFC North rivalry clash.
Family Film and TV Awards
CBS, 8pm
The 28th annual awards ceremony that shines a spotlight on excellence in family-oriented entertainment returns. Last year’s Icon Award went to Jerry Mathers, best known for his iconic role as Beaver Cleaver on Leave It to Beaver. Another legend also took the stage last year, as Dick Van Dyke accepted the award for Best Iconic Film on behalf of Mary Poppins. Julie Chen Moonves hosts.
Ordinary Girl in a Tiara
The CW, 8pm
Original Film!
This Harlequin book adaptation is a tale of style and moxie that proves opposites not only attract but can also enrich the lives of anyone willing to take a chance on themselves and on true love.
A Make or Break Holiday
Hallmark Channel, 8pm
Original Film!
Liv (Hunter King) and Daniel (Evan Roderick) are hosting their families for the first time this Christmas, and stress is at an all-time high. When things finally reach a boiling point, they find themselves at odds and decide to take a break from each other. Not wanting to ruin Christmas for their other family members, they decide to pretend to be a happy couple while everyone is under one roof.
A Pickleball Christmas
Lifetime, 8pm
Original Film!
Fresh off the biggest win of his career, tennis star Luke Hollis (James Lafferty) heads home to Florida for Christmas, only to discover his family’s racquet club is on the verge of being sold. Teaming up with Caroline (Zibby Allen), the club’s pickleball coach, Luke reluctantly agrees to compete in a high-stakes holiday tournament that could save the club.
A CNN Special Event: Roy Wood Jr.’s Very Very Very Merry Holiday Special
CNN, 8pm
This one-night holiday event brings acclaimed comedian Roy Wood Jr. to Washington, D.C., for a festive variety special filled with music, comedy and seasonal spirit. Filmed in front of a live audience in the nation’s capital, Wood dives into the joy and occasional chaos of the holiday season with his signature blend of sharp wit and warm humor, complete with surprise guests and the U.S. Air Force Band.
Sunday, Dec. 21
Ma and Pa Kettle at Home
FETV, 3pm
Catch a Classic!
This is the seventh movie in the 10-film comedy franchise that starred Marjorie Main and Percy Kilbridge as Ma and Pa Kettle (the couple was first introduced in 1947’s The Egg and I), a country couple (she works hard, he likes to win contests) raising 15 boisterous children in rural Washington. In this 1954 release, their son Elwin enters a contest with an essay that describes the family farm as much more modern and efficient than it really is. Ma and Pa try to keep up appearances when the judges come to visit.
Women’s College Volleyball: Championship
ABC, 3:30pm Live
The NCAA Division I championship match in women’s volleyball takes place today at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
The Bells of St. Mary’s
TCM, 5:45pm
Catch a Classic!
Few films capture the heart and optimism of postwar America quite like The Bells of St. Mary’s. Released in 1945, this cherished sequel to Going My Way reunited audiences with Bing Crosby’s genial Father O’Malley — this time assigned to a struggling parochial school under the care of the devoted Sister Benedict, portrayed with luminous grace by Ingrid Bergman. On the surface, it’s a gentle story about faith and perseverance. But what keeps The Bells of St. Mary’s ringing after all these years is its quiet humanity.
The Sound of Music
ABC, 7pm
Catch a Classic!
Based on the great 1959 Rodgers and Hammerstein stage musical of the same name, this big-screen adaptation of The Sound of Music celebrates its 60th anniversary. One of the finest movie musical dramas ever produced, the hugely entertaining and practically flawless film won five of the 10 Oscars for which it was nominated, including Best Picture and Best Director (Robert Wise). It’s filled with a nonstop string of iconic and hummable tunes like “Edelweiss,” “My Favorite Things,” “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen,” “The Lonely Goatherd” and “The Sound of Music,” and these songs are all big parts of why audiences made the movie a blockbuster that was, for a few years, the highest-grossing film of all time. The other big reasons The Sound of Music succeeds so effectively are the engaging performances from its terrific cast members, led by Best Actress Oscar nominee Julie Andrews, who plays Maria von Trapp in a story based on von Trapp’s memoir. In the late 1930s, Maria, a young novitiate, is sent by her convent to Austria to become a governess to the seven children of widowed naval officer Captain von Trapp (Christopher Plummer in the role that made him a film star). Maria brings love and music into the lives of the von Trapp family, even as the rise of Nazism in neighboring Germany begins to cast an ominous shadow.
Christmas With the Knightlys
UPtv, 7pm
Original Film!
Georgia Jackson hopes to put on a Christmas showcase with her students but finds herself in the spotlight when in exchange for a new community center she agrees to pose as the girlfriend to the son of a famous billionaire.
Chasing Christmas
Great American Family, 8pm
Original Film!
A wish tree unites a morning show host (Trevor Donovan) and an artist (Jillian Murray) as they race across Buffalo with the host’s daughter and the artist’s son to find the season’s hottest toy, discovering love and family along the way.
The Christmas Baby
Hallmark Channel, 8pm
Original Film!
When a baby boy shows up on their doorstep days before Christmas with a note written specially for them, Erin (Ali Liebert) and Kelly (Katherine Barrell) must learn how to navigate their new relationship and career dynamics while unexpectedly caring for a newborn.
Happiness
PBS, 8pm
This musical comedy from New Zealand continues with two new episodes. Charlie Summers (Harry McNaughton) champions composer Gloria’s (Marshayla Christie) vision, unintentionally encouraging the ensemble to look to Charlie as their new director. Rehearsals start to flourish with Charlie taking charge.
NFL Football: New England at Baltimore
NBC, 8:15pm Live
The NFL’s flexible scheduling option for Sunday Night Football was put to good use by replacing the Cincinnati Bengals at Miami Dolphins game with the New England Patriots at the Baltimore Ravens.
Rob Reiner — Scenes From a Life
CBS, 8:30pm
As an actor, director, filmmaker and humanitarian, Rob Reiner impacted and inspired the lives of millions. CBS celebrates his life and work through the eyes of those who knew him in this one-hour CBS News special. Kathy Bates, Annette Bening, Albert Brooks, Michael Douglas, Kiefer Sutherland, Jerry O’Connell and Mandy Patinkin are among Reiner’s friends who open up in new, emotional interviews about his extraordinary career and legacy. The special will also feature Reiner’s own thoughts on his work from CBS News’ vast archive of interviews with the Hollywood legend, including his last sit-down with Lesley Stahl on 60 Minutes this past fall. The special will look at Reiner’s life through his films The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, Misery, This Is Spinal Tap, The American President and Stand by Me, as well as his work as a star in the classic sitcom All in the Family. Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were found dead in their Los Angeles home on Sunday, Dec. 14. Their son, Nick Reiner, has been arrested in connection with their deaths.
The 2025 FOX Winter Preview
FOX, 8:30pm
The Masked Singer’s Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg hosts this special preview of the new (Memory of a Killer, Best Medicine and Fear Factor: House of Fear) and returning (Doc, Going Dutch, Extracted and Animal Control among them) shows airing on FOX this winter.
I Love LA
HBO, 10:30pm
Season Finale!
This scripted comedy series about a group of codependent friends in their 20s who face the challenges of life, careers and relationships in Los Angeles finishes its first season. Rachel Sennott, Jordan Firstman and Josh Hutcherson star.
Monday, Dec. 22
Classic Christmas Marathon
TCM, beginning at 6:30am
Catch a Classic!
This is an unusual mix-up of films that don’t immediately come to mind when you think of holiday classics, but settle in for some heartwarming tales filled with nostalgia, laughter and a touch of mischief. The lineup begins with the tear-jerker Blossoms in the Dust (1941), a moving story starring Greer Garson that captures the true spirit of giving. Then indulge in the drama The Daughter of Rosie O’Grady (1950), where family, music, Christmas trees and presents take center stage. Our Vines Have Tender Grapes (1945) brings small-town warmth in Wisconsin and childhood wonder into the story, while the Oscar-nominated Metropolitan (1990) adds a modern twist with witty conversations and Christmas-party charm. Feel the sparkle of youth where mischief meets heart in stories of friendship and growth with Peter Sellers in The World of Henry Orient (1964) and Rosalind Russell and Hayley Mills in The Trouble With Angels (1966). Love takes a holiday turn in Never Say Goodbye (1946), and generosity shines bright in It Happened on Fifth Avenue (1947), a timeless story of kindness at Christmastime. Finally, wrap up the night with The Man Who Came to Dinner (1941), Fitzwilly (1967), Lady on a Train (1945), Miracle on Main Street (1939) and Roadblock (1951).
College Football: Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
ESPN, 2pm Live
Two fortunate college football teams — Washington State and Utah State — get a trip to Boise to play on the unmistakable blue turf of Albertsons Stadium in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
“The Santa Clause” Marathon
Freeform, beginning at 3:15pm
Catch Tim Allen in the role of a divorced dad who is transformed into a reluctant Santa Claus as Freeform presents The Santa Clause (1994), The Santa Clause 2 (2002) and The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause (2006).
NFL Football: San Francisco at Indianapolis
ESPN, 8pm Live
Two of the NFL’s most explosive running backs are on display in Week 16’s Monday Night Football matchup as Christian McCaffrey and the San Francisco 49ers visit Jonathan Taylor and the Indianapolis Colts.
Everybody Love Raymond: 30th Anniversary Reunion Pt. 2
CBS, 8pm
This one-hour show gives viewers who loved the first Everybody Loves Raymond reunion special another opportunity to reminisce and revisit the laughter and joy from the original CBS series. Hosted by Ray Romano and series creator Phil Rosenthal, this fresh hour brings fans closer than ever to the original series, with exclusive stories and heartfelt memories shared by beloved cast members gathered together to honor one of TV’s most iconic sitcoms. Romano and Phil share their thoughts on the magic of being back on set and reuniting with the cast. Additionally, viewers can enjoy never-before-seen content, outtakes and behind-the-scenes footage. Plus, guest stars, writers and producers will provide unique insights into the creation and legacy of this beloved series.
The Daughter of Rosie O’Grady
FMC, 8pm
Catch a Classic!
This heartwarming musical with plenty of song-and-dance numbers is set at the turn of the century and finds widower Dennis O’Grady (James Barton) struggling to protect his three daughters — Patricia (June Haver), Katie (Marcia Mae Jones) and Maureen (a young Debbie Reynolds) — from the tempting world of vaudeville, believing it contributed to his late wife Rosie’s death. When Patricia falls for vaudeville impresario Tony Pastor (Gordon MacRae) and secretly joins his show, a clash of love, ambition and family pride ensues.
The Paper: “I Love You”
NBC, 8:30pm
The Peacock comedy continues on NBC with “I Love You,” in which Marv (Allan Havey) is camped out in the newsroom and the staff’s unresolved attitudes toward authority bubble up.
A “Saturday Night Live” Christmas
NBC, 9pm
Enjoy two hours of the most memorable Christmas-themed sketches from SNL’s long history.
Christina Aguilera: Christmas in Paris
CBS, 9pm
This new holiday special marks the 25th anniversary of Christina Aguilera’s holiday album, My Kind of Christmas, featuring magical live performances from the City of Love and a look into Aguilera’s remarkable career. Filmed in front of an intimate audience above the Musée du Quai Branly, Aguilera performs both holiday classics and her career hits against the backdrop of the Eiffel Tower, fashioned into a shimmering Christmas tree. The spectacle includes exquisite costume changes and appearances from special guests Sheila E. and Yseult. Between songs and Parisian vignettes, Aguilera shares her thoughts on love, motherhood, reinvention and her career’s artistry.
Tuesday, Dec. 23
College Football
ESPN, beginning at 2pm Live
Toledo vs. Louisville in the Bush’s Boca Raton Bowl in Florida, Western Kentucky vs. Southern Miss in the New Orleans Bowl in Louisiana and UNLV vs. Ohio in the Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl in Texas are on ESPN’s college bowl game schedule.
NHL Hockey
TNT & truTV, beginning at 4pm Live
Before the NHL breaks for Christmas, catch three matchups on TNT and truTV: Pittsburgh at Toronto, Dallas at Detroit and Philadelphia at Chicago.
Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch
Freeform, 7:45pm
He’s a mean one! Benedict Cumberbatch is the voice of the Grinch in this 2018 animated retelling of Dr. Seuss’ classic holiday tale. The voice cast also includes Rashida Jones, Angela Lansbury, Pharrell Williams, Kenan Thompson and Cameron Seely.
Kennedy Center Honors
CBS, 8pm
The Kennedy Center Honors recognize and celebrate individuals whose unique contributions have shaped the way we see ourselves, each other and our world. This year’s recipients include country music icon George Strait, legendary rock band Kiss (Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Peter Criss and the late Ace Frehley), Tony Award-winning stage and screen star Michael Crawford, Grammy Award-winning disco pioneer Gloria Gaynor, and Hollywood icon Sylvester Stallone.
NBA Basketball
NBC, 8pm Live
Eastern viewers will see the Denver Nuggets at the Dallas Mavericks and Western viewers get the Houston Rockets at the L.A. Clippers for NBC’s NBA Coast 2 Coast regional game.
The Temptations
MOVIES!, 10:20pm
Catch a Classic!
Forty-five million viewers tuned in over two nights in November 1998 to watch this miniseries about one of Motown’s greatest vocal acts. The Temptations produced hits like “My Girl,” “I Can’t Get Next to You,” “Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)” and “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” over their decades-long career that started in 1961 in Detroit when two rival singing groups combined forces. Both parts, two hours each, air back-to-back. The show about the Rock & Roll Hall of Famers was based on the autobiography of the now-last-surviving original member of the group, Otis Williams, who still performs today as a Temptation!
Wednesday, Dec. 24
Goodbye June
Netflix
Original Film!
Kate Winslet makes her directorial debut! It’s nearly Christmas when an unexpected turn in their mother’s health thrusts four adult siblings (Winslet, Andrea Riseborough, Toni Collette and Johnny Flynn), and their exasperating father (Timothy Spall), into chaos as they navigate messy family dynamics in the face of potential loss. But their quick-witted mother, June (Helen Mirren), orchestrates her decline on her own terms — with biting humor, blunt honesty and a lot of love.
Classic Christmas Marathon
TCM, beginning at 7am
Catch a Classic!
Spend Christmas Eve immersed in the golden age of Hollywood, where holiday magic comes from love, laughter and redemption. The day begins with Three Godfathers (1936), a rugged Western about outlaws discovering the power of kindness, followed by the screwball charm of Bachelor Mother (1939), where Ginger Rogers navigates romance and mistaken identity. Heartstrings tug with All Mine to Give (1957), a true story of family and legacy in the 1850s, while The Shop Around the Corner (1940) with James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan offers tender romance between secret pen pals unaware of their workplace rivalry. Generosity takes center stage in It Happened on Fifth Avenue (1947), as a millionaire’s mansion becomes a respite for the homeless, and Holiday Affair (1949), starring Robert Mitchum and Janet Leigh, captures postwar love with warmth and charm. Christmas in Connecticut (1945) delights with culinary chaos and romantic entanglements, while The Bishop’s Wife (1947), starring Cary Grant, Loretta Young and David Niven, brings angelic guidance and heartfelt joy. Plenty of other films continue through Christmas evening.
“The Simpsons” Christmas Marathon
FXX, beginning at 7pm
A marathon of The Simpsons’ Christmas episodes begins with the first episode of the series, 1989’s “Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire,” in which the family gets their dog, Santa’s Little Helper. Other highlights include 1995’s “Marge Be Not Proud” (Bonestorm!), 1999’s “Grift of the Magi” (Funzo!) and 2000’s “Skinner’s Sense of Snow” (Nibbles!).
Home Alone
ABC, 8pm
ABC presents a Christmas Eve airing of the 1990 holiday classic following the exploits of young Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) and his ingenious defenses against bumbling but determined burglars Harry and Marv (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern).
College Football: Sheraton Hawaii Bowl
ESPN, 8pm Live
The Cal Bears and Hawaii Rainbow Warriors spend Christmas Eve in “the land where palm trees sway” for the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl in Honolulu.
It’s a Wonderful Life
NBC, 8pm
Catch a Classic!
NBC is once again the exclusive broadcast home for Frank Capra’s beloved 1946 holiday classic. It stars Best Actor Oscar nominee James Stewart as George Bailey, a discouraged and despairing building-and-loan manager who contemplates suicide before a guardian angel named Clarence (Henry Travers) intervenes and allows him to see what George’s small town of Bedford Falls would be without him — and all that is right in his world. Donna Reed and Lionel Barrymore also star.
24 Hours of “A Christmas Story”
TBS, beginning at 8pm; TNT, beginning at 9pm
Catch a Classic!
This holiday favorite from 1983 airs on TBS and TNT in a traditional Yuletide marathon. Peter Billingsley stars as Ralphie, the little boy who yearns to find a Red Ryder BB gun under the Christmas tree. Not just a Christmas story, it’s about parents, little brothers, bullies, decoder rings, dares and, most of all, the workings of a youthful mind. The writing by Jean Shepherd (who also narrates) captures it all perfectly. Darren McGavin and Melinda Dillon also star.
Christmas Eve Mass
NBC, 11:30pm Live
Watch Pope Leo XIV lead his first Christmas Mass from St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
Thursday, Dec. 25
Adventure Time: Fionna & Cake
HBO Max
Season Finale!
Fionna (voice of Madeleine Martin) and shape-shifting cat Cake (Roz Ryan) wrap up their Season 2 exploits in this animated series set in the Adventure Time universe (or multiverse).
Christmas MOVIES!
MOVIES!, beginning at 6am
Catch a Classic!
’Tis the season to be joyously watching (or rewatching) a slate of some of the most beloved film nuggets ever produced. An 11-movie day features a wealth of highlights. They include Judy Garland and Margaret O’Brien fronting the magical 1944 musical Meet Me in St. Louis; Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin starring in the 1964 Rat Pack musical Robin and the 7 Hoods; Albert Finney in the title role of the 1970 musical Scrooge; Alastair Sim starring in what many consider the definitive version of the tale, 1951’s A Christmas Carol; and Charles Bronson beautifully playing against type as a sad newspaperman lifted by a letter from an 8-year-old girl in the 1991 TV movie Yes Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus.
40th Anniversary Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade
ABC, 10am
Disney’s annual celebration returns Christmas morning with magical star-studded performances from Florida’s Walt Disney World Resort, California’s Disneyland Resort and Hawaii’s Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa.
NBA Basketball
ABC & ESPN, beginning at 12pm Live
The NBA’s star-studded Christmas Day showcase returns with five games airing on ABC and ESPN: the Cleveland Cavaliers at the N.Y. Knicks, the San Antonio Spurs at the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Dallas Mavericks at the Golden State Warriors, the Houston Rockets at the L.A. Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Denver Nuggets.
NFL Football
Netflix & Prime Video, beginning at 1pm Live
Christmas Day NFL action is a streaming exclusive with the Dallas Cowboys at the Washington Commanders and the Detroit Lions at the Minnesota Vikings on Netflix. Primetime belongs to Prime Video with the Denver Broncos at the Kansas City Chiefs.
Ghosts
CBS, 8pm
Ghosts from Christmases past and present visit CBS tonight with encore presentations of 2024’s “A Very Arondekar Christmas,” in which a leaky water mishap threatens to ruin holiday plans, and this year’s “It’s a Wonderful Christmas Carol,” in which Sam’s (Rose McIver) national TV appearance on Christmas Eve is complicated by a possession.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
NBC, 8pm
Catch a Classic!
In this original 1966 animated TV special based on Dr. Seuss’ classic story, Boris Karloff narrates and voices the Grinch, who schemes to steal every material vestige of Christmas from the Whos of Whoville. But the Grinch ultimately discovers he can’t remove the spirit of Christmas from the Whos’ hearts.
Stranger Things
Netflix, 8pm
New Episodes!
The fifth and final season of the hit horror adventure series continues with three new episodes released tonight. The final episode is released on New Year’s Eve.
Call the Midwife: “Holiday Special 2025”
PBS, 8pm
This year’s holiday episode follows senior members of the convent as they embark on a mercy mission, swapping the snowy East End of London for the sun-drenched terrain of Hong Kong. The rise in hospital births, and wider changes in the NHS, have clipped their wings. But their mission to the Far East is a chance to take flight and work out what really matters. For her part, Sister Julienne (Jenny Agutter) suddenly finds herself excited about their future. After years of battling change, she decides to embrace it and see what love can do.
A Christmas Story Christmas
TBS, 8pm
TBS wraps up its 24-hour A Christmas Story marathon with an airing of this 2022 sequel that finds an adult Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) returning to his childhood home.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
NBC, 8:30pm
Jim Carrey plays Dr. Seuss’ titular meanie in this 2000 live-action adaptation directed by Ron Howard.
Friday, Dec. 26
College Football
ESPN, beginning at 1pm Live
College football’s bowl season continues on ESPN with Central Michigan vs. Northwestern in the GameAbove Sports Bowl in Detroit, New Mexico vs. Minnesota in the Rate Bowl in Phoenix and Florida International vs. UTSA in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl in Dallas.
NBA Basketball
Prime Video, beginning at 7:30pm Live
Catch a Boxing Day NBA doubleheader on Prime Video with the Philadelphia 76ers at the Chicago Bulls and the L.A. Clippers at the Portland Trail Blazers.
Popstar! Best of 2025
The CW, 8pm
Host Elizabeth Stanton counts down the most memorable moments and trends from 2025, based on polls from Popstar! Magazine.
In Memoriam
TCM, beginning at 8pm
Catch a Classic!
TCM continues its tribute to beloved stars we’ve lost this year, showcasing some of their more memorable films. Remembered tonight will be Robert Benton with the 1979 weeper he directed and wrote, Kramer vs. Kramer; film legend Val Kilmer in 1984’s Top Secret!; and Western great Joe Don Baker in 1973’s Walking Tall, which makes its TCM premiere. Later in the evening, tribute airings are for Claude Jarman Jr., the young star of 1946’s The Yearling, who died at 90; British actress and Tony Award winner Joan Plowright (widow of Laurence Olivier), who died at 95 and will be remembered in The Entertainer (1960); and composer Lalo Schifrin whose music is featured in 1967’s Cool Hand Luke.
Junk or Jackpot?
HGTV, 9:30pm
New Series!
Designer, television host and bestselling author Bobby Berk (Queer Eye) helps collectors turn chaos into dream spaces that honor their prized possessions. Bobby will hear the emotional stories behind the stockpiles, bring in experts to appraise the items and then counsel his clients on what they’ll sell to fund a much-needed makeover.
Saturday, Dec. 27
The Thin Man
FMC, 10:15pm
Catch a Classic!
The first in a series of six films following retired detective Nick Charles (William Powell) and his clever wife Nora (Myrna Loy) dives into a missing-inventor mystery. The duo never misses a chance for banter — or a cocktail — in this 1934 classic. Packed with twists, laughs and the irresistible chemistry of Powell and Loy, it’s a classy whodunit that’s as fun as it is clever.
College Football
ABC, The CW & ESPN, beginning at 11am Live
The final college football Saturday of 2025 features Pittsburgh vs. East Carolina in the Go Bowling Military Bowl (ESPN), Penn State vs. Clemson in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl (ABC), UConn vs. Army in the Wasabi Fenway Bowl (ESPN), Georgia Tech vs. BYU in the Pop-Tarts Bowl (ABC), Miami of Ohio vs. Fresno State in the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl (The CW), North Texas vs. San Diego State in the Isleta New Mexico Bowl (ESPN), Virginia vs. Missouri in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl (ABC) and LSU vs. Houston in the Kinder’s Texas Bowl (ESPN).
NFL Football
NFL Network & Peacock, beginning at 4:30pm Live
Week 17’s two Saturday games are Houston Texans at the L.A. Chargers on NFL Network, followed by the Baltimore Ravens at the Green Bay Packers streaming on Peacock.
Recipe for Romance
The CW, 8pm
Original Film!
Would-be enemies turn to lovers in this story of two warring businesses in Little Manila. Sari (True O’Brien) is given the long overdue opportunity to prove herself when her parents head for vacation, placing the family’s coffee shop in her hands. Sari’s big plans are derailed when a bakery run by the annoyingly handsome and charming Gabe (Alex Mallari Jr.) opens right next door. This launches a prank war to end all prank wars, bringing Sari and Gabe together in a story of love, family, community and irresistibly delicious pastries.
Two for One: Robert Townsend
TCM, beginning at 8pm
Catch a Classic!
In tonight’s Two for One re-airing, TCM primetime host Ben Mankiewicz is joined by filmmaker, actor and humanitarian Robert Townsend, who introduces two films of his choosing. Townsend will offer commentary on each title’s cultural significance and its influence on other films, behind-the-scenes stories, and his own personal reflections on them. His first selection is 1941’s Here Comes Mr. Jordan, which Heaven Can Wait was based on, and Townsend reminds how this classic is often overlooked in favor of the Warren Beatty remake. The second film is 1976’s iconic satire Network, in which a veteran news anchor (Peter Finch) who learns that he’s going to get canned initially threatens the network with plans to kill himself on live TV, but thankfully instead opts to do a live angry rant that leads to some outrageous outcomes.