It’s common in the UK to have a special episode on Christmas Day, something that’s only slowly being adopted in the U.S.
There is, however, the “Call the Midwife Holiday Special” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings), special for the day, in which Sister Mildred arrives with four Chinese orphans.
Orphans are also involved in the special movie-length Christmas episode of “When Calls the Heart” (Hallmark, 8 p.m.) enlivening that series.
They’re trying to make Christmas Day NBA action a thing so there are a lot of games scheduled including Milwaukee at New York (EPN, noon), Oklahoma City at Houston (ABC, 3 p.m.), Philadelphia at Boston (ABC, 5:30 p.m.), Lakers at Golden State (ABC, ESPN, 8 p.m.) and Portland at Utah (ESPN, 10:30 p.m.).
There’s a double dose of the original 1966 animated “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (NBC, 8 p.m.) and the Jim Carrey live action 2000 “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (NBC, 8:30 p.m.).
The iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2018 (CW, 8 p.m.) gets a replay.
Korean War veterans look for their old comrades on “We’ll Meet Again” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings).
“Monster Encounters” (Travel, 11 p.m.) is in Alaska seeking the Mega Bear.
Rachel tries to get Albie to commit on “Unanchored” (Bravo, 10 p.m.).
Last call for Christmas movies, with replays of the 1951 “A Christmas Carol” (FXM, 6:40, 8:30 and 10:20 p.m.), “Country Christmas Album” (ION, 7 p.m.), “Office Christmas Party” (Showtime, 7:10 p.m.), “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (AMC, 7:30 p.m.), “Bad Santa” (Comedy Central, 8 p.m.; WGN, 9 p.m.), “Four Christmases” (HBO, 8 p.m.), “Every Day is Christmas” (Lifetime, 8 p.m.), “A Royal Christmas Ball” (ION, 9 p.m.),”Love Actually” (TNT, 9 p.m.), “Christmas at the Palace” (Hallmark, 9:30 p.m.), “The Polar Express” (AMC, 9:45 p.m.), “Jingle Belle” (Lifetime, 10 p.m.), “A Bad Moms Christmas” (Showtime, 10 p.m.), “A Christmas Kiss” (ION, 11 p.m.) and “Christmas Next Door” (Hallmark, 11:30 p.m.).
It’s comedies for Christmas on Turner Classic Movies with “Love Finds Andy Hardy” (6 a.m.), “3 Godfathers” (8 a.m.), “Bundle of Joy” (10 a.m.), “Bachelor Mother” (noon), “Fitzwilly” (1:30 p.m.), “The Man Who Came to Dinner” (3:30 p.m.), “It Happened on 5th Avenue” (5:45 p.m), “Some Like It Hot” (8 p.m.), “Monkey Business” (10:15 p.m.), “Lover Come Back” (12:15 a.m.), “Mr. Deeds Goes to Town” (2:15 a.m.) and “Never Give a Sucker an Even Break” (4:30 a.m.).
In men’s college basketball, the Diamond Head Classic winds up with Colorado vs. Charlotte (ESPNU, 1 p.m.) in the seventh place game; Hawaii vs. Rhode Island (ESPNU, 3 p.m.) for fifth place, UNLV vs. Bucknell (ESPNU, 6:30 p.m.) for third place, and Indiana State vs. TCU (ESPN2, 9 p.m.) for the championship.
Daytime Talk
All reruns: Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest: Hugh Jackman, Brett Eldridge. The Talk: Regina Hall, Jameela Jamil, Camila McConaughey. Ellen DeGeneres: Leah Remini, Timothy Fletcher, Malik Perry. Wendy Williams: Rob Shuter.
Late Talk
Reruns all: Stephen Colbert: Jeff Daniels, Emily Mortimer. Jimmy Kimmel: Gwen Stefani, Jimmy Tatro. Jimmy Fallon: Jerry Seinfeld, Brian Regan, Robert Irwin. Seth Meyers: Josh Meyers, Hilary & Larry Meyers. James Corden: Kermit the Frog, Minka Kelly, Peter Krause, Sampha. Carson Daly: Jameela Jamil, T-Pain, Lily Allen, Brooks Wheelan.