Christmas comes early to ITV as festive shows stream on ITV Hub ahead of broadcast

Katie Archer
·Entertainment Reporter
·2-min read
From Objective Fiction / Genial Productions The Larkins: Christmas Special on ITV and ITV Hub Pictured: Back row: Montgomery Larkin [Liam Middleton], Mariette [Sabrina Bartlett], Pop Larkin [Bradley Walsh] and Ma Larkin [Joanna Scanlan] and Primrose Larkin [Lydia Page]. Front row: Petunia Larkin [Rosie Coleman], Victoria Larkin [Lola Shepelev] and Zinnia Larkin [Davina Coleman]. This photograph is (C) Objective Fiction / Genial Productions and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms For further information please contact: james.hilder@itv.com / 0207 157 3052n
'The Larkins' will stream early. (Objective Fiction/Genial Productions)

Christmas is set to come early on ITV as the broadcaster has announced plans to stream shows on ITV Hub over the festive period from the morning of their main broadcast.

Viewers will not have to wait in to watch their favourite programmes over Christmas, as many of them will be made available to view on ITV Hub from 7am on the day they are scheduled to be broadcast on ITV's channels.

Read more: BBC iPlayer to make record number of boxsets available at Christmas

One of those that will be included in the first look list is The Larkins Christmas special, which will air on Christmas Day at 9pm on ITV but will be available on the Hub from 7am, starring Bradley Walsh and Joanna Scanlan.

'The Larkins' will be back for Christmas Day. (ITV)
'The Larkins' will be back for Christmas Day. (ITV)

Details of the festive special have been released, with the village all focussed on the pantomime they're putting on when a spate of burglaries throws everyone into chaos.

At home, Ma and Pop Larkin are hit by an untimely power cut just as Mariette and Charley arrive with Charley's family for a Christmas visit.

Soap fans will also be able to see the Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day episodes of Coronation Street and Emmerdale from 7am on their day of broadcast and they will be available to watch throughout the day at any time.

From Multistory Media PAUL O'GRADY FOR THE LOVE OF DOGS AT CHRISTMAS Saturday 25th December 2021 on TV Pictured: Paul OÕGrady with Pancake the Pug It's Christmas at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, but not everyone's feeling festive. Paul OÕGrady helps a lonely beagle whose Christmas wish is to find a new friend, an excitable cross breed with a short attention span, and comforts a Patterdale Terrier cross who needs a serious operation following a past injury. (C) Battersea Cats and Dogs Home For further information please contact Peter Gray Mob 07831460662 / peter.gray@itv.com This photograph is (C) ITV and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme PAUL O'GRADY FOR THE LOVE OF DOGS AT CHRISTMAS or ITV. Once made available by the ITV Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the Transmission date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itvpictures.com
Paul O'Grady is always popular at Christmas. (Battersea Cats and Dogs Home)

Other Christmas Day specials that will be on ITV Hub from 7am before they are broadcast that evening are Paul O'Grady: For the Love of Dogs at Christmas which will be on ITV at 5.30pm, followed by The Masked Singalong at 6pm.

Christmas Eve highlights which will be available to stream early include festive versions of Tipping Point, The Chase, Gino's Italian Family Adventure and Bradley and Barney: Breaking Dad, as well as Christmas Comedy Club with Lost Voice Guy.

Read more: ITV releases star-studded new season drama line-up

On Boxing Day, scheduled programmes that will be available to view early include Saturday Night Takeaway, The Chase, Celebrity Catchphrase, All Star Musicals and Billy Connolly: My Absolute Pleasure.

The change in format mirrors the different schedules used for the soaps over the summer, when Coronation Street and Emmerdale episodes were made available to stream early so as not to clash with the scheduled Euros matches.

Watch: Bradley Walsh plans to retire 'in a couple of years'

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