@TV4 Despite the real-life changes to the Broadcasting Act 1989, commercial breaks would likely be reduced and some of which are classified as ‘high-quality, public service programmes’ without commercials, similar to that of Opus and Mobil Masterpiece Theatre from the old TVNZ era (1989).
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CHRISTMAS DAY ON PTV GOLD
@TV4 Below is a schedule for Christmas Day on PTV Gold. Despite the real-life changes to the Broadcasting Act 1989, the schedule includes reduced commercial breaks throughout.
8.00am: PTV GOLD CHRISTMAS MOVIE MARATHON. We open our Christmas Day transmission with a curated selection of the finest cinematic classics. Settle in for a day of nostalgia with these timeless favourites:
- 8.00am: Scrooge (1951). Alastair Sim delivers the definitive performance as Ebenezer Scrooge in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol. (G)
- 9.40am: Miracle on 34th Street (1947). An old man going by the name of Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) fills in for an intoxicated Santa in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, claiming to be the real thing. (G)
- 11.25am: Meet Me in St Louis (1944). In the year leading up to the 1904 St Louis World’s Fair, the four Smith daughters learn lessons of life and love. Featuring Judy Garland performing the original version of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”. (G)
- 1.30pm: White Christmas (1954). A successful song-and-dance team (Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye) become romantically involved with a sister act and team up to save the failing Vermont inn of their former commanding general. (G)
- 3.45pm: The Bishop’s Wife (1947). An angel in human form (Cary Grant) enters the life of a bishop (David Niven) in order to help him build a new cathedral and repair his fractured marriage. (G)
6.00pm: The Snowman. A PTV Gold tradition. Raymond Briggs’ classic picture book, wordless and beautiful, is brought to life with the music of Howard Blake. A young boy builds a snowman that comes to life at midnight, taking him on a magical journey to the North Pole. Featuring the soaring vocals of Aled Jones on “Walking in the Air”. (G)
6.30pm: The Snowman and the Snowdog. The enchanting sequel to the festive classic. When a young boy moves into the house where the original Snowman was built, he finds a hidden box under the floorboards containing a snowman-making kit. What follows is a night of friendship, loss and love. (G)
7.05pm: All Creatures Great and Small Christmas Special 2025. Express from the UK. First broadcast on Channel 5 on Christmas Eve, we transport you to the Yorkshire Dales for a heart-warming visit to Skeldale House. James and Helen are preparing for their first Christmas with their young family, but the demands of the veterinary practice - and the eccentricities of Siegfried and Tristan - ensure that nothing goes quite to plan. A festive treat full of community spirit. (PG)
8.20pm: Beyond Paradise Christmas Special 2025. Express from the UK (first broadcast on BBC TV on 21 December). In this festive special of the hit Death in Paradise spin-off, DI Humphrey Goodman (Kris Marshall) and the team at Shipton Abbott are faced with a baffling mystery when a local resident claims to have been attacked by a folklore legend on Christmas Eve. Meanwhile, Martha tries to organise the perfect community feast. (M)
9.30pm: HM the King’s Christmas Message (R). Repeated from PTV. His Majesty King Charles III delivers his annual address to the Commonwealth, reflecting on the year past and sharing his hopes for the future.
9.40pm: A Ghost Story for Christmas: The Room in the Tower. Express from the UK (first broadcast on BBC TV on Christmas Eve). Mark Gatiss, the master of the macabre, continues the BBC tradition of chilling Christmas stories for a cold winter’s night. In this adaptation of the EF Benson classic, Roger (Tobias Menzies) has been haunted by a recurring dream, a mysterious house and an unseen terror. He becomes disturbed as the dream begins to bleed into reality. What is lurking in the room in the tower? Also starring Joanna Lumley. (M)
10.15pm: The Madame Blanc Mysteries Christmas Special 2024. We return to the beautiful French village of Sainte Victoire. Jean White (Sally Lindsay), the antique dealer with a knack for solving crimes, finds herself investigating a murder at a festive masquerade ball. Can she unmask the killer before the clock strikes midnight? (M)
11.15pm: Songs of Praise: A Christmas Celebration (R). Repeated from PTV. A traditional celebration of the season, featuring favourite carols and hymns performed in stunning cathedral settings, reminding us of the spiritual heart of Christmas Day. (G)
11.50pm: LATE MOVIE - It’s a Wonderful Life (1946). There is no better way to end Christmas Day than with Frank Capra’s ultimate masterpiece. George Bailey (James Stewart), a man who has given up his dreams to help others, begins to lose hope on Christmas Eve. It takes the intervention of his guardian angel, Clarence, to show him what life would have been like if he had never been born. A film that defines the spirit of the season. (PG)
2.15am: Closedown
NEW YEAR’S EVE & NEW YEAR’S DAY ON PTV
@TV4 @Damo Below are the schedules for New Year’s Eve (after 6pm) and New Year’s Day on PTV.
NEW YEAR’S EVE
6.00pm: The Tom and Jerry Show. The iconic cat and mouse duo return in their modern take on the classic cartoon. (G)
6.15pm: PTV Local News. Stay connected with your community on the final evening of 2025, live from Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. PTV Local News delivers the most relevant stories, local sport updates and regional weather forecasts tailored specifically to where you live.
6.30pm: PTV National News and Sport. Join us for the network’s flagship bulletin - comprehensive coverage of the day’s major national and international headlines as the world prepares to ring in 2026, plus sports news and a national weather forecast.
7.00pm: PTV NEWS SPECIAL - 2025: The Year That Was. As the sun sets on another year, PTV News presents a comprehensive retrospective of the past 12 months. From the political shifts in Wellington to the global events that shaped our world, this hour-long special revisits the triumphs, tragedies and defining moments of 2025.
8.00pm: NEW YEAR’S EVE MOVIE - Moulin Rouge! (2001). Baz Luhrmann’s spectacular, kinetic musical comes to PTV to ring in the New Year with style. The year is 1899 and Christian (Ewan McGregor), a young English writer, travels to Paris to join the Bohemian revolution. He finds himself in the city’s dark, glamorous underworld at the Moulin Rouge night club. There, he falls hopelessly in love with the club’s star performer and most famous courtesan, Satine (Nicole Kidman), only to find their romance threatened by a jealous Duke (Richard Roxburgh). A visual feast featuring modern pop hits reimagined for the turn of the century. Also starring Natalie Mendoza, John Leguizamo, Jim Broadbent, Jonathan Hardy. Directed by Baz Luhrmann. (M)
10.40pm: PTV Late News. Before the party begins in earnest, tune in for the final news update of the year. The PTV News team provide a concise wrap of the national and international headlines, late breaking stories and a final check on the weather.
10.50pm: PTV NEW YEAR’S EVE SPECIAL - 26 for the Kicks. It is the biggest party on television! Live from the Auckland waterfront, 3:45 Live! hosts Storme Hitaua and Caitie Houghton join forces with Showdown presenter Yasmina Coe and Game On presenter Cal Payne to anchor PTV’s New Year’s Eve celebration.
- Party-cam crosses: We go live and unfiltered to the biggest hotspots in the country (Rhythm and Vines [Gisborne], The Strand [Tauranga], The Octagon [Dunedin] etc).
- Guests and music: Featuring celebrity interviews, a look back at the “Best of 25” viral moments and exclusive acoustic performances from the year’s breakout Kiwi artists.
- The countdown: All eyes turn to the Sky Tower for live coverage of the SkyCity Fireworks display (at approx 11.59pm) as we welcome 2026.
(Note: Simulcast from PTV Shake, where the party began at 9.35pm.)
12.10am: LATE MOVIE - Can’t Stop the Music (1980). Keep the party atmosphere alive with this cult classic musical extravaganza. A faux-biopic of the disco group, Village People, the film follows a songwriter (Steve Guttenberg) who roommates with a retired model (Valerie Perrine) and a group of colourful characters in Greenwich Village (including Bruce Jenner as a lawyer) as they strive for musical stardom. Featuring iconic disco hits and campy fun, it is the perfect late night watch to kick off the New Year. Directed by Nancy Walker. (PG)
2.20am: Weather Outlook
2.22am: Closedown
NEW YEAR’S DAY
8.00am: PTV News (8AM SUMMARY). We start the first day of 2026 with a concise summary of the latest national and international news. Catch up on any overnight developments, the latest sporting headlines and a check on the weather for New Year’s Day.
8.05am: PTV SPORT - ANZ Summer of Cricket: Dream11 Super Smash 2025/26 (BRAVE v FIREBIRDS, H/Ls). Highlights from the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. Catch all the boundaries, wickets and big hits from yesterday’s Men’s Super Smash clash between the Northern Brave and the Wellington Firebirds.
9.05am: NAT GEO WILD ON PTV - Snow School. A heart-warming and fascinating look at nature’s toughest survivors. Catch up with baby walruses, otter pups and polar bear cubs as they learn how to thrive in the coldest climates on Earth. With the help of home-schooling, dedicated parents and a lot of trial and error, these young animals master the skills needed to survive the ice. Documentary. (G)
10.05am: Crikey! It’s the Irwins. Join the Irwin family - Terri, Bindi and Robert - as they continue Steve Irwin’s mission to bring people closer to the animal world. Set at the Australia Zoo, the family faces the daily challenges of caring for more than 1,200 animals - from tigers and crocodiles to koalas and kangaroos. (PG)
11.00am: Everyday Gourmet with Justine Schofield. Justine Schofield presents a series of simple, yet delicious recipes perfect for the home cook. Whether you are recovering from a big night or planning a New Year’s lunch, Justine offers tips and tricks to elevate everyday meals. (G)
11.30am: Farm to Fork. Explore the journey of our food from the paddock to the plate. This series celebrates the farmers, producers and chefs who are passionate about fresh, high-quality ingredients, offering inspiration for healthy and sustainable eating. Hosted by MasterChef Australia judge and acclaimed chef Andy Allen with Michael Weldon and Courtney Roulston. (G)
Noon: PTV News (MIDDAY SUMMARY). The PTV News team return for a midday update. We deliver a summary of breaking national and international stories, sports news and the afternoon’s weather forecast.
12.05pm: David Attenborough’s Conquest of the Skies (PART 3, FINAL). In the final episode of this landmark three-part series, Sir David Attenborough turns his attention to the creatures that dominate our skies today: the birds and the bats. Using cutting-edge filming technology, Attenborough reveals the complex mechanics of flight and the evolutionary journey that allowed these vertebrates to conquer the air. (G)
1.05pm: The Middle. Join the Heck family for hilarious relatable family chaos in suburban Indiana. (PG)
1.30pm: PTV SPORT - TAB Racing Special: New Year’s Day Racing. Coverage begins live from Ellerslie Racecourse in Auckland for one of the premier days on the New Zealand racing calendar. The feature race is the SkyCity Eclipse Stakes (Group 2) over 1200m (race starts at approx 1.45pm).
2.00pm: PTV NEWS SPECIAL - 2025: The Year That Was (R, ENCORE PRESENTATION). If you missed it last night, catch this encore presentation of PTV News’ comprehensive review of 2025. A detailed look back at the major national and international events that defined the year.
3.00pm: Monkey Life. Follow the dedicated team at Monkey World in Dorset as they rescue and rehabilitate primates from around the globe. From chimps to orangutans, witness the emotional and uplifting stories of these intelligent animals finding a new lease on life. (PG)
3.30pm: The Tom and Jerry Show. More animated antics with everyone’s favourite cat and mouse. (G)
3.45pm: PTV SPORT - TAB Racing Special: New Year’s Day Racing. We return live to Ellerslie for a massive afternoon of high-stakes racing action. The feature races are (all times approximate):
- 4.05pm: Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (Group 2) - 2000m
- 4.40pm: Queen Elizabeth II Cup (Group 3) - 2400m
- 5.15pm: Rich Hill Mile (Group 2) - 1600m
- 5.50pm: SkyCity Handicap - 1200m
Also included are highlights of the day’s earlier action (including the TAB 1200, the SkyCity Eclipse Stakes and the Horizon by SkyCity 1600).
6.15pm: PTV Local News. The first local bulletin of 2026. Catch up on the day’s news, sport and weather from across your region.
6.30pm: PTV National News and Sport. We cover the major stories of New Year’s Day, provide a comprehensive wrap of the day’s sport and look ahead to the weather for the remainder of the holiday week.
7.00pm: PTV SPORT - Sport 25: The Best of 2025. PTV Sport presents an adrenaline-fuelled review of the year’s biggest sporting moments. From the All Blacks’ campaigns to Kiwi success on the world stage - we relive the victories, the heartbreaks and the records broken in New Zealand and international sport during 2025.
8.30pm: NEW YEAR’S DAY MOVIE - Sleepless in Seattle (1993). Wind down your New Year’s Day with one of the most beloved romantic comedies of all time. After the death of his wife, Sam Baldwin (Tom Hanks) moves to Seattle with his son, Jonah (Ross Malinger). When Jonah calls into a national radio talk show to find his dad a new wife, Sam reluctantly gets on the line and touches the hearts of women across the country - including Annie Reed (Meg Ryan), a reporter in Baltimore who feels destined to meet him. Also starring Rita Wilson, Bill Pullman, Rob Reiner. Directed by Nora Ephron. (PG)
10.35pm: PTV Late News. A final wrap of the day’s news, sport and weather.
10.50pm: PTV SPORT - ANZ Summer of Cricket: Dream11 Super Smash 2025/26 (KINGS v STAGS, H/Ls). Highlights from Hagley Oval in Christchurch. We bring you the best action from today’s Men’s Super Smash encounter between the Canterbury Kings and the Central Stags.
11.50pm: LATE MOVIE - Withnail and I (1987). A cult classic of British cinema. London, 1969: Two unemployed actors, the flamboyant Withnail (Richard E Grant) and the anxious “I” (Paul McGann), live in squalor and destitution. Desperate for a change of scene, they borrow a cottage in the Lake District from Withnail’s eccentrically gay Uncle Monty (Richard Griffiths). However, their holiday is beset by terrible weather, hostile locals, and the unexpected arrival of Monty himself. Also starring Ralph Brown, Michael Elphick. Directed by Bruce Robinson. (16)
1.55am: Weather Outlook
1.57am: Closedown
What do you think of the mock New Year’s schedules?
NEW YEAR’S EVE & NEW YEAR’S DAY ON PTV SHAKE & PTV GOLD
@TV4 @Damo Below are the schedules for New Year’s Eve (after 6pm) and New Year’s Day on PTV Shake and PTV Gold.
PTV SHAKE
NEW YEAR’S EVE
6.00pm: Austin & Jessie & Ally All Star New Year. Get the party started early with this massive crossover event bringing together the stars of Austin & Ally and Jessie! (All G)
- Austin & Ally (PART 1). Austin Moon (Ross Lynch) has a dream to perform in Times Square on New Year’s Eve. It seems within reach, but obstacles like Trish’s (Raini Rodriguez) faulty app and the chaos of New York City threaten to derail everything. Enter Jessie Prescott (Debby Ryan) and the Ross kids, who might just be the solution Austin needs.
- Jessie (PART 2). After saving the day in NYC, the crew heads to Miami for a concert at the mall. Jessie is thrilled to perform a duet with Austin, but complications arise when it’s revealed her lyrics were actually written by Zuri (Skai Jackson). Meanwhile, Austin tries to dodge the enthusiastic advances of Emma (Peyton List).
7.00pm: The Simpsons. Tonight: Homer finds himself in deep trouble after attempting to bribe his way out of a series of fines. To avoid a lengthy sentence, he agrees to go undercover for the FBI as “Nicky Bluepants” to infiltrate Fat Tony’s mob. A hilarious and perilous adventure ensues as Homer navigates the criminal underworld. (PG)
7.30pm: Modern Family. The Pritchett-Dunphy clan rings in the New Year with typical chaos. Jay tries to hold his own in a poker game with the smooth Billy Dee Williams. Phil and Claire’s attempt to reignite their romance falls flat, while Mitch and Cam go on a quest to find a bar where they feel young and hip. Back at home, Haley and Alex are stuck on babysitting duty. (PG)
8.00pm: Lotto (LIVE DRAW). Live from Auckland, the final Lotto draw for 2025 is here! Get your tickets ready and tune in to see if the six lucky numbers will make you a winner before the year is out.
8.05pm: The Office. Tonight: Michael is on edge when Holly returns from her holiday break without an engagement ring - but still with her boyfriend. As he spirals, Pam tries to rally the office to stick to their New Year’s resolutions, with varying degrees of success and enthusiasm from the Dunder Mifflin staff. (PG)
8.35pm: 30 Rock. Tonight: Jack regrets a drunken New Year’s Eve voicemail he left for Nancy and enlists Kenneth to help him erase it. Jenna engages in a ‘faux-mance’ with James Franco to boost her publicity while Liz deals with the fallout of outing her visiting cousin. Meanwhile, Tracy is convinced his wife is pregnant with a girl, sending him into a panic. (PG)
9.05pm: Family Guy. Tonight: Peter’s paranoia hits an all-time high as the millennium approaches. Convinced the world is ending, he forces the family to cancel their New Year’s Eve plans. For once, Peter’s fears aren’t entirely unfounded and lead the Griffins on a bizarre post-apocalyptic journey. (M)
9.35pm: PTV SHAKE SPECIAL - 26 for the Kicks. It is the biggest party on television! Live from the Auckland waterfront, 3:45 Live! hosts Storme Hitaua and Caitie Houghton join forces with Showdown presenter Yasmina Coe and Game On presenter Cal Payne to anchor PTV’s New Year’s Eve celebration.
- Party-cam crosses: We go live and unfiltered to the biggest hotspots in the country (Rhythm and Vines [Gisborne], The Strand [Tauranga], The Octagon [Dunedin] etc).
- Guests and music: Featuring celebrity interviews, a look back at the “Best of 25” viral moments and exclusive acoustic performances from the year’s breakout Kiwi artists.
- The countdown: All eyes turn to the Sky Tower for live coverage of the SkyCity Fireworks display (at approx 11.59pm) as we welcome 2026.
(Note: Simulcast on both PTV and PTV Shake from 10.50pm.)
12.10am: Radio with Pictures: New Year’s Day Special. PTV Shake rocks into 2026 with a special all-night music marathon, featuring the hottest video clips to keep the vibe alive and the party going until dawn. (Note: When RWP ends at 5am, PTV Shake continues with an hour of special early morning programming until normal transmission opens at 6am [see below].)
NEW YEAR’S DAY
5.00am: Even Stevens (G)
5.30am: The Proud Family (G)
5.55am: Peppa Pig (G)
6.00am: The Fairly OddParents (G)
6.25am: Danny Phantom (G)
6.50am: TUFF Puppy (G)
7.15am: Star vs the Forces of Evil (G)
7.40am: DuckTales (G)
8.05am: Littlest Pet Shop (G)
8.30am: Teen Titans Go! The superheroes you know and love show us what life is really like as a teen hero… when the cape comes off. (PG)
8.45am: The Dumping Ground. Drama and comedy from the Tracy Beaker universe, following the lives of the children in care at the Dumping Ground. (PG)
9.15am: Good Luck Charlie (G)
9.40am: Austin & Ally (G)
10.05am: Jessie (G)
10.30am: ANT Farm (G)
11.00am: NEW YEAR’S EVE MATINEE DOUBLE - Teen Beach Movie (2013). Surfing sweethearts Brady (Ross Lynch) and Mack (Maia Mitchell) are riding the last wave of summer when they are mysteriously swept into a classic 1960s beach movie musical, “Wet Side Story”. Trapped in a world of bikers versus surfers, they must find a way to get back home without changing the movie’s plot - or their own destiny. Also starring Grace Phipps, Garret Clayton, Jordan Fisher, Chrissie Fit, Kevin Chamberlin, Steve Valentine. Directed by Jeffrey Hornaday. (G)
1.10pm: NEW YEAR’S EVE MATINEE DOUBLE - Teen Beach Movie 2 (2015). Months after their adventure, Mack (Maia Mitchell) and Brady (Ross Lynch) receive a surprise visit in the real world from Lela (Grace Phipps), Tanner (Garrett Clayton), Butchy (John DeLuca) and their friends from “Wet Side Story”. The retro characters are thrilled by the modern world, but Mack and Brady must help them return to the movie universe before they disappear forever. Also starring Chrissie Fit, Piper Curda, Jordan Fisher. Directed by Jeffrey Hornaday. (G)
3.20pm: KIDS NEW YEAR’S DAY - The NeverEnding Story (1984). A timeless classic for a new generation. Bastian (Barret Oliver), a lonely boy escaping bullies, hides in an old bookstore and discovers a magical book. As he reads about the land of Fantasia being devoured by “The Nothing”, he realises he is not just an observer, but a key part of the story. A journey of imagination, courage and luck dragons. Also starring Noah Hathaway, Tami Stronach, Patricia Hayes, Sydney Bromley, Gerald McRaney, Moses Gunn. Directed by Wolfgang Petersen. (G)
5.30pm: SpongeBob SquarePants (G)
6.00pm: Hannah Montana (G)
6.30pm: Wizards of Waverly Place (G)
7.00pm: THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISNEY - Lilo & Stitch (2002). A tale of family (ohana) and redemption. Stitch (voiced by Chris Sanders), a chaotic and destructive alien experiment, crash-lands on Hawaii and is adopted by a lonely girl named Lilo (voiced by Daveigh Chase), who mistakes him for a dog. As Stitch learns to surf, play guitar and understand the meaning of family, he must also evade the galactic authorities hunting him down. Featuring the music of Elvis Presley and also starring the voices of Tia Carrere, Jason Scott Lee, David Ogden Stiers. Directed by Chris Sanders, Dean DeBlois. (G)
8.55pm: PTV SHAKE’S NEW YEAR’S DAY MOVIE - Zoolander (2001). Derek Zoolander (Ben Stiller, who also directs) is the world’s most beautiful male model - or he was, until Hansel (Owen Wilson) took his crown. Down on his luck, Derek is brainwashed by the evil fashion mogul Mugatu (Will Ferrell) to assassinate the Prime Minister of Malaysia. Can he break the spell, save the day and unleash his ultimate look, “Magnum”? Also starring Christine Taylor, Milla Jovovich, Jerry Stiller, Jon Voight. (M)
10.55pm: Family Guy. Another dose of animated satire from the Griffin family in Quahog. (M)
11.25pm: PTV SHAKE’S SUMMERTIME MOVIE - Scary Movie (2001). The spoof that started it all. A group of teenagers (including the sweet but dim-witted Cindy Campbell) are stalked by a bumbling serial killer a year after accidentally killing a man. Parodying “Scream”, “I Know What You Did Last Summer” and other teen horror tropes, this film delivers raunchy humour and endless gags. Starring Anna Faris, Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans. Directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans. (16)
1.25am: Closedown
PTV GOLD
NEW YEAR’S EVE
6.00pm: M-A-S-H. Classic comedy set in the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital during the Korean War. Hawkeye (Alan Alda) and the staff find humour and humanity amidst the chaos of war. (PG)
6.30pm: Cheers. Pull up a stool at the place where everybody knows your name. Sam Malone (Ted Danson) and the regulars at the Boston bar navigate life, love and cold beers. (Tonight’s episode is dedicated to the memory of George Wendt [as Norm], who died recently.) (PG)
7.00pm: Emmerdale. Tonight: Marlon is feeling uneasy about a developing situation while another resident faces a life-changing decision. Meanwhile, Jacob makes his unhappiness known, adding tension to the village dynamics. (Note: This episode covers the immediate aftermath of the Christmas Day special, which was shown on Boxing Day [NZDT].) (PG)
7.30pm: Coronation Street. Tonight: The residents are still reeling from the dramatic events of Christmas Day. Evelyn makes a shocking discovery in the ginnel and finds someone unconscious after a violent attack. Elsewhere, Theo’s well-meaning treat presents Todd with an incredibly awkward dilemma. (Note: This episode covers the immediate aftermath of the Christmas Day special, which was shown on Boxing Day [NZDT].) (PG)
8.00pm: EastEnders. Tonight: The Square is buzzing with festive spirit as Yolande’s carol concert kicks off, but drama is never far away. The Slaters try to lift Zoe’s spirits, while young Oscar accidentally reveals a truth that was meant to stay hidden. The night takes a turn when police swarm the Square following a major incident. (Note: The second half of the double episode covers the immediate aftermath of the Christmas Day special, which was shown on Boxing Day [NZDT].) (PG)
9.10pm: Death in Paradise Christmas Special 2025. Christmas in Saint Marie takes a dark turn. DI Mervin Wilson (Don Gilet) and his team face one of their most baffling cases yet when a man is found shot dead following a raucous office Christmas party. With a host of suspects and conflicting alibis, the team must unravel the mystery under the Caribbean sun. (M)
11.00pm: PTV GOLD SPECIAL - Torvill & Dean: The Last Dance. Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean are legends of the ice. After a remarkable 50-year career that captivated the world - most notably with their Boléro routine at the 1984 Winter Olympics - this magical documentary follows the duo on their final tour. It captures the rehearsals, the memories and the emotional final performance that marks the end of an era. (G)
11.59pm: New Year’s Eve Fireworks (LIVE). We cross live to the Sky Tower in Auckland for the official countdown as PTV Network New Zealand welcomes 2026 with the spectacular SkyCity Fireworks display.
12.05am: HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM PTV GOLD. The two ‘faces’ of PTV Gold, Dariel Dearlove (Miss Vintage Australasia 2023) and Miss Stella Moon (Miss Frankton Thunder 2024), take over to guide you into the New Year. Through bespoke channel idents and other promotional material, these Kiwi pinups welcome viewers to 2026 and introduce 18 hours of cinematic classics, running through until Richard Osman’s Festive House of Games at 6pm (see below).
NEW YEAR’S DAY
12.05am: HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM PTV GOLD begins with:
- 12.05am: The Poseidon Adventure (1972). The ultimate disaster movie to start the year. On New Year’s Eve, the luxury liner SS Poseidon is en route to Greece when it is struck by a massive tidal wave, flipping the ship upside down. A group of survivors, led by the rebellious Reverend Scott (Gene Hackman), must climb their way up to the bottom of the hull to escape before the ship sinks. Also starring Ernest Borgnine, Jack Albertson, Shelley Winters, Red Buttons. Directed by Ronald Neame. (PG)
- 2.20am: Von Ryan’s Express (1965). Set during WWII, Colonel Ryan (Frank Sinatra), a US Army Air Corps pilot, is shot down and taken to an Italian POW camp. Initially viewed as a coward by the British prisoners, Ryan redeems himself by leading a daring plan to hijack a German freight train and escape across the border to neutral Switzerland. Also starring Trevor Howard, Raffaella Carrà, Brad Dexter, Sergio Fantoni. Directed by Mark Robson. (PG)
- 4.35am: An American in Paris (1951). A visually stunning musical masterpiece. Jerry Mulligan (Gene Kelly) is an American GI who stays in Paris after the war to become a painter. He is courted by a wealthy heiress but falls for Lise (Leslie Caron), a young French woman. The catch? Lise is already engaged. Features the music of George Gershwin and a climactic 17-minute ballet sequence. Directed by Vincent Minnelli. (G)
- 6.45am: Cinderella (1950). Start the first morning of 2026 with Disney magic. Cinderella (voiced by Ilene Woods), mistreated by her cruel stepmother and stepsisters (voiced by Eleanor Audley, Rhoda Williams and Lucille Bliss respectively), dreams of attending the Royal Ball. With help from her animal friends Gus and Jaq (voiced by James MacDonald and Candy Candido respectively), and a “Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo” from her Fairy Godmother (voiced by Verna Felton), her rags are transformed into a beautiful gown. But she must return home before the stroke of midnight. Directed by Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske, Clyde Geronimi. (G)
- 8.20am: Pollyanna (1960). Hayley Mills stars as the orphan Pollyanna, who moves to a small, embittered town to live with her wealthy but stern aunt (Jane Wyman). Armed with her “Glad Game” - finding something to be glad about in every situation - Pollyanna’s infectious optimism begins to transform the community and melt her aunt’s cold heart. Based on the novel of the same name by Eleanor Porter and also starring Richard Egan, Karl Malden, Nancy Olson, Adolphe Manjou, Donald Crisp, Agnes Moorehead, Kevin Corcoran. Directed by David Swift. (G)
- 10.55am: Jason and the Argonauts (1963). A legendary adventure featuring the stop-motion wizardry of Ray Harryhausen. Jason (Todd Armstrong), the rightful heir to the throne of Thessaly, sets out on a perilous voyage to retrieve the magical Golden Fleece. Alongside his crew of Argonauts, he battles a giant bronze statue, harpies, the Hydra and an iconic army of skeleton warriors. Also starring Honor Blackman, Nancy Kovack, Gary Raymond, Laurence Naismith. Directed by Don Chaffey. (G)
- 1.05pm: Mary Poppins (1964). In turn-of-the-century London, the Banks children are in desperate need of a nanny who can reconnect them with their work-obsessed father. Enter Mary Poppins (Julie Andrews), who descends from the clouds with her parrot-headed umbrella. With a spoonful of sugar and a lot of magic, she takes the children on fantastical adventures and teaches the family the importance of love and laughter. Also starring Dick Van Dyke, David Tomlinson, Glynis Johns, Hermione Baddeley, Reta Shaw, Karen Dotrice, Matthew Garber. Directed by Robert Stevenson. (G)
- 3.50pm: Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971). Charlie Bucket (Peter Ostrum), a poor boy with a big heart, finds one of five ‘golden tickets’ hidden inside a chocolate bar. His prize is a tour of the secretive and magical chocolate factory run by the eccentric Willy Wonka (Gene Wilder). Inside, Charlie and four other children encounter a world of pure imagination - and a series of tests that reveal their true characters. Also starring Jack Albertson. Directed by Mel Stuart. (G)
6.00pm: Richard Osman’s Festive House of Games. A special festive edition of the show where celebrities test their general knowledge in a series of quirky trivia games. Tonight: Mathew Baynton, Mel Giedroyc, Harriet Kemsley and Charles Venn battle it out to win the coveted House of Games trophy (and perhaps a fondue set). (G)
6.35pm: Pointless Celebrities. It is the 2000th episode celebration! In this star-studded special with Alexander Armstrong and Richard Osman as hosts, contestants attempt to find the most obscure answers to general knowledge questions. Tonight’s line-up includes Suzie Lee, Shaun Williamson, Phil Tufnell, Steve Pemberton, Kelli Young, Helen Lederer, Charlie Higson and Cariad Lloyd. Who can score the elusive “Pointless” answer? (G)
7.35pm: Tipping Point: Lucky Stars. Hosted by Ben Shephard, this quiz show sees three celebrities taking on the famous Tipping Point machine to win money for charity. Tonight: Interior designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, model Penny Lancaster and maths genius Bobby Seagull use their wits and timing to drop tokens and push the jackpot over the edge. (G)
8.35pm: The Big Quiz 2025: Coronation Street vs Emmerdale. The ultimate soap grudge match returns with Stephen Mulhern as hosts. The casts of ITV’s biggest soaps, Coronation Street and Emmerdale, go head-to-head to determine who knows their own show - and their rivals’ - best. Expect high tension, big laughs and plenty of soap trivia as they battle for bragging rights. (PG)
9.35pm: Titanic Sinks Tonight (STARTING TONIGHT, PART 1). A gripping four-part BBC series recounting the maritime disaster minute by minute. Using vivid first-hand accounts from passengers and crew, this series reconstructs the tragedy with chilling accuracy. Tonight: The ‘unsinkable’ Titanic collides with an iceberg in the North Atlantic. As the initial shock subsides, the captain receives the devastating damage report and realises the impossible is happening: the ship is going to sink. (PG)
10.45pm: Father Ted. Join Father Ted Crilly (Dermot Morgan), Father Dougal McGuire (Ardal O’Hanlon), Father Jack Hackett (Frank Kelly) and Mrs Doyle (Pauline McLynn) on Craggy Island for surreal and hilarious misadventures. (M)
11.15pm: PTV GOLD SPECIAL - New Year’s Day Concert: Live from Vienna 2026. For the first time on New Zealand television, PTV Gold presents the Vienna Philharmonic’s traditional New Year’s Day Concert - 100% commercial free. Broadcast live via satellite from the Golden Hall of the Musikverein in Vienna and presented by Petroc Trelawny, this prestigious event features a lively and nostalgic programme from the Strauss family and their contemporaries. A perfect, elegant conclusion to the holiday.
1.45am: Closedown
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