Christmas TV Nostalgia

Kaitlin Dryburgh

As this is the final newsletter of the year, I’ll do my best to keep it upbeat and cheerful, with a festive Christmas theme throughout. One of the best elements of the holiday season is, undoubtedly, the Christmas TV line-up. The Radio Times TV Guide is out and remains as popular as ever—a nostalgic and endearing part of Christmas, especially when streaming services seem to dominate the conversation about what we want to watch.

Nostalgia and Christmas go hand in hand: family traditions, cherished memories, and the cosy comfort of familiarity. It's no wonder that much of our Christmas TV programming is filled with beloved favourites. However, this year seems to be taking nostalgia to the next level. Some of the most talked-about festive shows include Gavin and Stacey, Wallace and Gromit, and the return of the early-2000s family comedy Outnumbered, along with the usual Call the Midwife and Strictly Christmas specials. These programs are ones we've enjoyed for years, some for more than 40 years. It’s definitely a Christmas packed with nostalgic TV.

Now, I’m a self-professed superfan of Gavin and Stacey. The public needs to know how the story of Nessa and Smithy ends, and who wouldn’t want to see Uncle Bryn enjoying another Baileys at Christmas while Pam has a meltdown about something in the corner (apologies if you haven’t watched it—none of that will make sense). This sitcom, which began almost 20 years ago, is one I know I can watch once a year (if not more), have a laugh, and feel just a little bit better. There’s never any nasty surprises when you’re watching a show you’re familiar with.

Then there’s Wallace and Gromit. The bumbling, cheese-loving inventor and his clever dog have been a family favourite since 1989, delighting generations of viewers. Their lovable antics are like a warm hug—like your granny welcoming you in for a cup of tea.

While Outnumbered’s somewhat surprising but low-key return will show how the Brockman family has fared as the kids have grown up, it’s clear that Christmas TV is embracing its nostalgic roots in full force.

What does all of this say about what the public is craving to watch, and about the state of terrestrial TV, particularly the BBC, Channel 4 and ITV? Well, I think it’s safe to say that viewers are seeking as much security, reassurance, and escapism as possible. That calming, nostalgic feeling this Christmas may offer brief relief from what has been, at times, a very difficult year. Your favourites reappearing on the TV is something you can rely on. It’s not going to let you down; it’s welcomed into your home like an old friend.

This is exactly what many of us need right now. I won’t list all the difficult things happening in our communities and around the world, but it’s been a year of turmoil in many respects, and politically, uncertainty lingers in the air—leaving anyone feeling uneasy. I did say I was going to keep it upbeat but looking overseas this year has been utterly heart wrenching. So, if we pop on Gavin and Stacey and see Gwen making one of her famous omelettes (again, apologies if you haven’t seen it), everything seems alright for at least a little while.

It’s the escapism we all need. And this Christmas, more than ever, we’ll be enjoying some of our absolute favourites, especially if we can share it with the rest of the family.

However, there’s another angle to consider. There’s a financial saving to be made when channels revert to programs that carry little risk and are already a hit. The TV production industry has been under pressure for some time, with many struggling to stay afloat due to cash-strapped broadcasters cutting budgets for new shows.

A survey conducted by Indielab, which works with many of the small independent production companies that make up 85% of the industry, found that many are merging, shutting down, unable to hire new staff, and increasingly relying on their back catalogues to keep cash flowing.

The era of big budgets for broadcasters like the BBC and ITV is behind us, and production companies are taking the hit. This year, ITV and Channel 4 collectively let go of 440 staff members in restructuring moves. Unfortunately, this means that as viewers, we might not see as many new shows on our screens. Even production companies lucky enough to have a new project greenlit aren’t immune. Euston Films, for example, recently produced the BBC1 hit drama Nightsleeper, but had to let go of all their staff at the end of this year.

The effect of inflation, a decline in advertising revenue, and the continued rise of streaming services has placed immense pressure on broadcasters. Traditional TV viewing has been changing for some time, and this shift is directly impacting art and culture.

So, it’s little wonder we’re seeing a wave of reruns and channels polishing-off older content.

That said, TV is not dead. It’s evolving, but it's not over. After all, what’s happening with streaming services? We’re seeing a rise in ads and episodes being released weekly, just like traditional TV.

We are a nation that cherishes our TV stars and gets excited by TV comebacks. We also pay far too much attention whenever a TV star finds themselves in a scandal—pick your favourite, because I’m losing count. We do love TV.

So, whatever you’re watching this Christmas, I hope it brings you plenty of laughs, gives you that comforting feeling, and provides you with a much-needed break.