Good Morning Britain Viewers Slam ‘Worst ITV Schedule Ever’ on Christmas

Good Morning Britain Viewers Criticize ITV’s Christmas Day Programming

On Christmas Day, many loyal viewers of Good Morning Britain (GMB) were left frustrated and disappointed by ITV’s festive schedule, which deviated significantly from their usual live morning broadcasts. Instead of the customary live shows hosted by Susanna Reid and Richard Madeley starting at 6am, ITV shifted the GMB start time to 7am and aired pre-recorded holiday specials featuring presenters like Cat Deeley, Ben Shephard, and Lorraine Kelly. This change did not go unnoticed by the audience, who quickly took to social media to voice their dissatisfaction.

The primary complaint centered around the fact that the Christmas morning lineup consisted almost entirely of pre-recorded content, which many felt lacked the spontaneity and festive spirit that live broadcasts typically bring. One viewer vented, “Pre-recorded rubbish all morning of the same shows which are on 52 weeks of the year. How about something different for a change? Christmas TV used to be special.” Another user bluntly declared, “Worst schedule I’ve ever seen ITV,” highlighting the widespread disappointment.

The absence of fresh, family-friendly programming on Christmas morning was another sore point. Viewers lamented the lack of children’s shows or special holiday-themed content, with one fan questioning, “Why did ITV decide to have ZERO children’s or family-friendly TV for the whole of Christmas morning, in fact the entire day?” This sentiment was echoed by others who suggested that airing classic Christmas films would have been a better alternative to the pre-recorded shows that were broadcast.

Social Media Backlash and Viewer Reactions

The reaction on social media was swift and overwhelmingly negative. Many viewers expressed confusion about when the shows had been recorded, with one asking, “What day did you actually record this?” Others were more scathing, calling the schedule “the worst, laziest programme schedule ever” and urging ITV executives to reconsider their approach. The criticism wasn’t limited to just the Christmas Day lineup; some viewers also expressed concern about the overall direction of ITV’s daytime programming.

Despite the backlash, ITV’s festive evening schedule offered some consolation with special episodes of popular soaps like Emmerdale and Coronation Street, followed by quiz shows such as Bullseye and The 1% Club. However, for many, the disappointment of the morning schedule overshadowed the evening’s programming.

Upcoming Changes to ITV’s Morning Schedule

The controversy around ITV’s Christmas Day schedule comes amid broader changes planned for the network’s morning programming starting January 2026. ITV has announced a restructuring that will affect several flagship shows, including Good Morning Britain, Lorraine, and Loose Women.

Lorraine’s airtime will be reduced to a 30-week seasonal schedule, airing only from 9.30am to 10am. In contrast, Good Morning Britain will see an extension of its broadcast hours, running for three and a half hours on weekdays, and even four hours when Lorraine is off-air. Loose Women will also adopt a 30-week schedule, similar to its format prior to 2016.

Kevin Lygo, Managing Director of ITV’s Media and Entertainment Division, explained that these changes are designed to streamline production and generate savings that can be reinvested in other programming genres. He emphasized the importance of daytime television for ITV and highlighted the network’s commitment to delivering trusted news, debate, and discussion through familiar presenters.

Additionally, This Morning will continue its regular weekday broadcasts from 10am to 12.30pm but will relocate production to a new central London studio. Lygo acknowledged the impact these changes will have on behind-the-scenes staff and assured that ITV would support employees through the transition.

What This Means for Viewers

For viewers, these scheduling adjustments signal a shift in how ITV approaches its daytime content. The extension of Good Morning Britain’s airtime suggests a greater focus on news and current affairs, while the reduced presence of Lorraine and Loose Women may reflect changing audience preferences or budget considerations.

While some fans may welcome more in-depth morning programming, others remain concerned about the potential loss of variety and entertainment value. The Christmas Day backlash serves as a reminder that viewers expect festive programming to feel special and engaging, not recycled or pre-recorded content.

Conclusion

The reaction to ITV’s Christmas Day schedule, particularly the pre-recorded Good Morning Britain shows, has sparked a significant debate among viewers about the quality and originality of festive programming. As ITV prepares to implement major changes to its morning lineup in 2026, the network faces the challenge of balancing cost-saving measures with audience expectations for live, engaging, and family-friendly content.

If you’re a fan of Good Morning Britain or ITV’s daytime shows, stay tuned for the upcoming schedule changes and share your thoughts on how the network can improve its festive and everyday programming. Don’t forget to follow us for the latest updates and insights into your favorite TV shows!