BBC Radio Christmas Launch 2015 - Radio 5 Live

Jonathan Wall, Controller of BBC Radio 5 live and 5 live sports extra, says: “Christmas Day on 5 live is all about the big personalities we have on the station. Listeners can wake up and open their presents with Al Murray, be entertained over lunch by Kermode and Mayo, tuck into Christmas dinner with Danny Baker, then spend their festive evening with Josh Widdecombe.

“We have dedicated New Year’s Day to our fantastic sports output. Following on from some extensive Boxing Day coverage of the football fixtures, we will be broadcasting a day of live sport along with six hours of special sports programming.”

The Power Of Star Wars – How A Film Changed Business

Star Wars is a film franchise that grosses three times as much money from its spin-offs and merchandise than it actually earns at the box office. The original movie completely changed the way the industry operated, and merchandising from its latest incarnation will generate an estimated $5 billion.

In this programme, Adam Parsons explores how Star Wars changed the film industry; the toy industry; marketing and product licensing. It also examines why Disney decided to swallow up one of its main rivals, Lucasfilm – the production company behind Star Wars, and how it has used The Force Awakens – the first film in the Star Wars sequel trilogy since Disney acquired Lucasfilm – to generate new ideas and excitement to make money from the franchise.

Saturday 19th December, 9pm-10pm
Producer: Justin Bones for the BBC

Nick Garnett

Nick Garnett is one of 5 live's reporters. In the past year, he's been sent to Berlin, Paris, Malta, Nepal, Calais, Tunisia, Hamburg, Budapest, Vienna, Jordan, Warsaw, Boston (Lincolnshire) and, most recently, back to Nepal.

Working on his own, he's broadcast live from some of the most difficult locations, including sending live video and radio reports around the world from a devastated village he managed to get through to in Nepal's border territories four days after the earthquake earlier this year. He broadcast live from Tunisia in the aftermath of the summer’s terrorist attack and followed migrants as they tried to break into the Channel Tunnel in the middle of the night.

In this programme, he’ll explain how he works and what happens when you run out of batteries 4,500 miles from home. He'll also explain how he managed to broadcast interviews with search and rescue teams on their way to Nepal when he was still 43,000 feet up in the air, and how much trouble he thought he was in when he left his mobile phone, wallet and passport in the back of a Parisian taxi - and how he got it all back!

Christmas Eve, 6pm-7pm
Producer: Nick Garnett for the BBC

2035

As 2015 draws to a close, this programme looks to the future and fast forwards to the year 2035.

Listeners will hear a fictional, dramatised account of the news of the moment – but 20 years in the future. We’ll join the presenters at the fictional News Feed First channel for the latest breaking news and the day’s biggest stories, with a different central topic - Health, Sport, Lifestyle and Global Affairs.

After the fictional package, Afternoon Edition, presenters Dan Walker and Sarah Brett will be joined in the studio by guests and experts as they discuss the programme and debate whether the scenarios could really happen, or not. This is a two-hour broadcast and a condensed version of the series which went out on Afternoon Edition across four weeks in November.

New Year’s Eve, 9pm-11pm
Producer: Mark Sharman for TBI Media

5 Live Formula 1: Review Of 2015

A review of the 2015 Formula 1 season, which saw Lewis Hamilton become only the second British driver in history to win the world championship three times.

New Year’s Day, 12.30pm-1.30pm
Producer: Rob Jones for USP Content

England’s Lionesses

Former England goalkeeper Rachel Brown-Finnis and the current England women's football team reflect on winning bronze at the FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada this year.

New Year’s Day, 1.30pm-2.30pm
Producer: Caroline Barker for Jibber Jabber Productions

Al Murray’s 7 Day Christmas

Al Murray and guests pull apart and take a lighter look at some of the big Christmas moments of 2015.

Christmas Day, 10am-11am
Producer: Avalon

Kermode And Mayo Film Review: Films Of The Year

Mark Kermode and Simon Mayo present some of the best bits from their film review programme in 2015, and compare their own top 10 films of the year to decide the “official” Wittertainment top 10 movies of 2015.

Christmas Day, 1pm-3pm
Producer: Robin Bulloch for Somethin’ Else Productions

The Day I Met The Queen

In the year when she became Britain's longest-serving monarch, 5 live presents another chance to hear people recall what it's like to meet Her Majesty The Queen.

Everyone from young children to the Prime Minister reflect on what meeting her means to them. There are recollections of famous meetings and sad encounters, as well as memories of meetings during periods of controversy for the monarchy and the country. In some instances, people talk about how meeting The Queen changed their lives while a hardened republican even admits to being impressed by Her Majesty's sense of duty.

Each era of her reign is represented with contributions from 1966 World Cup goal-scorer Sir Geoff Hurst, 1977 Wimbledon champion Virginia Wade, Falklands War veteran Simon Weston and relatives of the victims of the 9/11 atrocity.

Christmas Day, 3.30pm-4.30pm
Producer: Ashley Byrne for Made in Manchester

Best Of Danny Baker - The Guests

Danny Baker and Lynsey Hipgrave present highlights from some of their biggest and most entertaining guest interviews from 2015, including Chrissie Hynde, Paddy McGuiness, Lulu and Alan Davies.

Christmas Day, 4.30pm-6.30pm
Producer: Patrick Campbell for Campbell/Davison Productions

Fighting Talk

Josh Widdicombe hosts a special all-festive edition of Fighting Talk. Guests aim to gain points whilst discussing sporting stories from the past, present and future. Points are awarded for informed comment and wit but taken away for drivel and silly outbursts.

Christmas Day, 8pm-9pm
Producer: World’s End Productions

I Was There

Peter Allen looks back at moments where history was made, as he talks to the people who were there at the time.

Christmas Day, 10pm-midnight
Producer: Tim Levell for BBC

5 Live Sport

5 live Sport will broadcast back-to-back commentary from four Premier League fixtures including Stoke v Manchester United and Newcastle v Everton.

Boxing Day, 11.30am-10pm
Producer: various

Related BBC Links

• BBC Radio 5 Live