England still reveres the holiday and puts out special episodes (rather than reruns and basketball that dominate U.S. TV). Still, we get a couple of their Christmas episodes on the actual day.
The two hour one for “Doctor Who” (BBC America, 9 p.m.) is even more special as it marks the end of the run of the 12th Doctor’s run — Peter Capaldi, includes a meet up with the first Doctor and a returning Bill Potts, and almost certainly will introduce the new doctor, Jodie Whittaker.
“The Call the Midwife Holiday Special 2017” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings) has the nurses working despite tough wintery weather.
Runners up from past seasons return for another try at the “Holiday Baking Championship” (Food, 9 p.m.).
Monday Night Football has Oakland at Philadelphia (ESPN, 8:15 p.m.). Earlier, it’s Oakland at Philadelphia (ESPN, 8:30 p.m.).
The NBA is making a point by providing a lot of games: Philadelphia at New York (ESPN, noon), Cleveland at Golden State (ABC, 3 p.m.), Washington at Boston (ABC, 5:30 p.m.), Houston at Oklahoma City (ABC, 8 p.m.) and Minnesota vs. Lakers (TNT, 10:30 p.m.).
NBC goes full Grinch tonight with both the original cartoon “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (NBC, 8 p.m.) and the Jim Carrey “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (NBC, 8:30 p.m.) live action remake.
“Showtime at the Apollo: Christmas” (Fox, 8 p.m.) with Snoop Dogg, Boyz II Men, Fifth Harmony and DMX, is rerun.
Echo is wronged by a wealthy fool on the first of two episodes of the animated “Tarantula” (TBS, 10 p.m.).
Turner Classic Movies begins prime time with an 11-movie “Holidays with Hitchcock” that starts with “Rear Window” (8 p.m.), “North by Northwest” (10 p.m.), “Dial M for Murder” (12:30 a.m.), “The Birds” (2:30 a.m.) and “Vertigo” (4:45 a.m.). Earlier, though, it’s Christmas classics and shorts including “Meet John Doe” (6:45 a.m.), “Babes in Toyland” (9 a.m.), “Scrooge” (10:30 a.m.), “Love Finds Andy Hardy” (noon), “Fitzwilly” (2 p.m.), “Bundle of Joy” (4 p.m.) and “The Shop Around the Corner” (6 p.m.).
In men’s college basketball, the Diamond Head Classic winds up in Hawaii with Southern California vs. New Mexico State (ESPN2, 6 p.m.) in the championship game; Middle Tennessee vs. Miami (ESPNU, 8:30 p.m.) in the third place game, Princeton vs. Hawaii (ESPNU, 2:30 p.m.) in the fifth place game and the day starting with Akron vs. Davidson (ESPNU, 12:30 p.m.) in the seventh place game.
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest: Lidia Bastianich, Daniel Boulud. The Talk: Carrie Ann Inala, Terry Crews (rerun).
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Joe Scarborough, Mika Brzezinski, Andy Serkis, Scarborough (rerun). Jimmy Kimmel: Kim Kardashian, Linkin Bridge, Jennifer Lawrence. Jimmy Fallon: Zendaya, Billy Crudup, Big Sean and Metro Boomin. Seth Meyers: Josh Meyers, Hilary and Larry Meyers. James Corden: Miles Teller, Whitney Cummings, Fergie (rerun). Carson Daly: Sarah Wayne Callies, Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness, Ross Lynch. Conan O’Brien: Bob Newhart, Tom Segura, Sheryl Crow (rerun).