You may have noticed that television stations in the UK often dedicate their listings around a theme, back-to-back episodes of a TV series or a set of movies. I have noticed that this has become common practice, particularly during the weekends and on bank holidays.
Christmas day is certainly no exception!
Whilst taking a look at the traditional double issue TV listings for the Christmas period, I couldn't help noticing that a few of the UK TV stations have applied the above criteria for their Christmas day listings. In particular, one channel peaked my interest with their dedication to Queen.....
Sky Arts, the UK TV channel that is a 24-hour channel dedicated to highbrow arts, including theatrical performances, movies, documentaries and music has dedicated Christmas Day to all things Queen.
For 24 hours, starting from 6am, the channel will feature Queen's archive library of live concerts and documentaries.
The following programmes are scheduled:
06:00 - 07:45 - Queen Live At The Rainbow
The early hits, recorded at the Rainbow Theatre in 1974
07:45 - 08:45 - Queen: Classic Albums
The story of how Queen created their seminal fourth album, A Night at the Opera
08:45 - 10:45 - Queen Rock Montreal
The live concert performed to a crowd of over 18,000 at the Montreal Forum in 1981
10:45 - 11:45 - Queen: Live At Milton Keynes
The 1982 concert, filmed live at the National Bowl in Milton Keynes
11:45 - 13:00 - Queen: Live in Rio
The legendary Rio concert, performed to a crowd of over 300,000 in January 1985
13:00 - 15:00 - Queen: Live In Budapest Hungarian Rhapsody
The legendary Magic tour of 1986 arrives in Budapest, entertaining over 80,000 fans
15:00 - 16:15 - Queen: Live At Wembley
The iconic and electrifying concert at Wembley Stadium, part of the 1986 Magic tour
16:15 - 17:30 - Queen: The Magic Years
Documentary
17:30 - 18:00 - Bohemian Rhapsody: Special
Sky Cinema takes a special look at foot-stomping Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody
18:00 - 19:45 - Freddie Mercury: Tribute Concert
Live recording of the famous 1992 tribute concert for the late Queen singer Freddie Mercury
19:45 - 21:00 - Queen: The Phenomenon
Documentary
21:00 - 22:45 - Freddie Mercury: The Great Pretender
Award-winning documentary offers a compelling insight into the solo work of Freddie Mercury
22:45 - 00:00 - Queen: From Rags to Rhapsody
Documentary charting the rise of Queen from pub gigs to world domination
00:00 - 01:45 - Queen & Adam Lambert: The Show Must Go On
Documentary telling the story of Adam Lambert's front-man role, with rare concert footage and interviews with band members
01:45 - 02:15 - Queen: Video Killed The Radio Star
Members of Queen reflect on their iconic music videos
02:15 - 04:00 - Freddie Mercury: Tribute Concert
Repeat - The famous 1992 tribute concert for the late Queen singer Freddie Mercury
04:00 - 05:00 - Queen: Classic Albums
Repeat - The story of how Queen created their seminal fourth album, A Night at the Opera
05:00 - 06:00 - Discovering: Queen
Friends and fans discuss their admiration for Queen and reflect on their remarkable career and enduring hit songs.
Sky Arts is a subscription channel available in the UK and Ireland via Sky, Virgin Media, Talk Talk TV and Now TV on channels:
Sky - 122
Virgin - 123 (UK) 141 (Ireland)
Talk Talk - 303
That is certainly a feast of Queen programmes scheduled, some of which I will certainly be setting up to record to enjoy after Christmas.
However you spend your Christmas, I hope you all have a good one and create happy long lasting memories.