BBC four

Dame Kiri Te Kanawa presents seasonal music, both classical and contemporary. From 1985.

Franz Lehár's laugh-out-loud operetta, The Merry Widow, is a work of pure theatrical pleasure: a cocktail of ravishing music, touching romance and madcap comedy. Glyndebourne's lavish new staging from award-winning West End director Cal McCrystal boasts all the opulence of classic Hollywood and stars Danielle de Niese as the glamorous, wealthy widow Hanna on a search for true love.

The Top of the Pops Christmas Hits compilation is made up of hits down the years, mostly performed on those classic episodes of Christmas Top of the Pops in a seasonal studio. We include songs that reached the charts in December, from Ian Dury and the Blockheads to Madness, East 17 and Coldplay. There are hits that made the enviable Christmas Number 1 spot from the likes of The Human League and Pe

Tony Blackburn and Noel Edmonds present the Christmas pop charts, originally broadcast in 1975. Featuring performances from Pilot, Ralph McTell, Mud, 10cc, David Essex, Johnny Nash, Guys & Dolls, the Tymes, Tammy Wynette, the Bay City Rollers, Telly Savalas, Art Garfunkel, the Stylistics and CCS, plus a dance performance from Pan's People.

In the heart of south east Asia lies the tropical island of Borneo. Twice the size of the British Isles, it is the third largest island on earth and home to possibly the greatest diversity of life of any island – from flying lizards sun bears to orangutans. Its huge variety of habitats, from bustling coral reefs and ancient jungles to towering mountains, has given rise to over 60,000 species of pl

Dame Kiri Te Kanawa presents seasonal music, both classical and contemporary. From 1985.

Christmas comes but once a year. Perhaps on the Grantleigh estate, that is just as well, as Audrey is determined to carry out her responsibilities as though she still lived at the manor.

In the heart of south east Asia lies the tropical island of Borneo. Twice the size of the British Isles, it is the third largest island on earth and home to possibly the greatest diversity of life of any island – from flying lizards sun bears to orangutans. Its huge variety of habitats, from bustling coral reefs and ancient jungles to towering mountains, has given rise to over 60,000 species of pl

Peter Powell presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on Christmas Day 1986. Featuring Billy Ocean, The Communards, a-ha, Europe, Doctor and the Medics, Cliff Richard & The Young Ones, Spitting Image, Boris Gardiner, Diana Ross, Berlin, Simply Red, Nick Berry, Falco, George Michael and Pet Shop Boys.

A laughter-packed holiday special starring Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise.

The Meldrews have a tarot reading that prophesies disaster for Victor. Patrick and Pippa sell their home, but a house clearance crew are mistaken for their removal men. Patrick and Victor get snowed in at an old house with a jealous boyfriend and a huge spider.

Dave Allen explores the many illogical aspects of life with his own unique wit.

Lenny Henry hosts a Christmas special of sketches and music, featuring favourite characters such as Deakus and Josh Yarlog and a trip down memory lane to 1970-ish. With special guests Robbie Coltrane and Terence Trent D'Arby.

Nervensäge Barbra Streisand treibt Ryan O'Neal zur Verzweiflung. Slapstickkomödie. Leben und Karriere des introvertierten Musikwissenschaftlers Howard Bannister (Ryan O'Neal) verlaufen in bürgerlich-geordneten Bahnen bis er auf einer Reise das personifizierte Chaos kennenlernt: Judy (Barbra Streisand), quirlig, zielstrebig und beängstigend anhänglich. Alle Versuche Howards, diese „Seuche“ wieder l

This is a journey across Hawaii's varied islands, discovering how they were made and the incredible wildlife that thrives there. Hawaii is the most remote island chain on earth, and its tropical shores are hard to reach. But for the hardy creatures that can make it here, like the waterfall-climbing fish, carnivorous caterpillar and Laysan albatross, a land of opportunity awaits. From newly formed

Peter Powell presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on Christmas Day 1986. Featuring Billy Ocean, The Communards, a-ha, Europe, Doctor and the Medics, Cliff Richard & The Young Ones, Spitting Image, Boris Gardiner, Diana Ross, Berlin, Simply Red, Nick Berry, Falco, George Michael and Pet Shop Boys.

This is a journey across Hawaii's varied islands, discovering how they were made and the incredible wildlife that thrives there. Hawaii is the most remote island chain on earth, and its tropical shores are hard to reach. But for the hardy creatures that can make it here, like the waterfall-climbing fish, carnivorous caterpillar and Laysan albatross, a land of opportunity awaits. From newly formed

A selection of hit Christmas songs from yesteryear.

Peter Powell, Tommy Vance, Richard Skinner, Gary Davies and Adrian John present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 29 December 1983. Features JoBoxers, Mike Oldfield, Thompson Twins, Tracey Ullman, The Cure, Phil Collins, The Belle Stars, Paul Young, Siouxsie & The Banshees, Spandau Ballet, Howard Jones, Rod Stewart, The Style Council and Culture Club.

Mark Goodier and Anthea Turner present a Top of the Pops Christmas Day special, including a review of the hits that topped the charts in 1990 and featuring performances by The Beautiful South, Elton John and Kylie Minogue.

Shirley Bassey's 1974 TV special with special guest Neil Diamond.

In the autumn of 1983, the Everly Brothers played their legendary reunion concerts in London. Of all the venues in the world, they chose the Royal Albert Hall because they had treasured memories of playing there with their father Ike, a guitar virtuoso in his own right. All London was there and it was such an event that the filming was fed live into the BBC 9 O'Clock News. After their acrimonious

The Everly Brothers were among the most successful and revered of all the giants of early rock 'n' roll. A determining influence on The Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel and The Beach Boys, they brought the ethereal harmonies of the Appalachian Mountains to the wild mix of rock 'n' roll. First broadcast in 1984 as part of their reunion after ten bitter years apart, Arena traces their fabulous career, t

Documentary which celebrates, over the period covering the end of the 1950s and the beginning of the 60s, the phenomenon of The Everly Brothers, arguably the greatest harmony duo the world has witnessed, who directly influenced the greatest and most successful bands of the 60s and 70s – The Beatles, The Stones, The Beach Boys and Simon & Garfunkel to name but a few. Don and Phil Everly's love of m

Peter Powell, Tommy Vance, Richard Skinner, Gary Davies and Adrian John present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 29 December 1983. Features JoBoxers, Mike Oldfield, Thompson Twins, Tracey Ullman, The Cure, Phil Collins, The Belle Stars, Paul Young, Siouxsie & The Banshees, Spandau Ballet, Howard Jones, Rod Stewart, The Style Council and Culture Club.

Mark Goodier and Anthea Turner present a Top of the Pops Christmas Day special, including a review of the hits that topped the charts in 1990 and featuring performances by The Beautiful South, Elton John and Kylie Minogue.

TV critic, writer and 1980s addict Grace Dent unwraps the TV schedules for 1984 and finds it was a case of Orwell that ends well, on another festive fun-packed dash through the BBC's archives, examining all the small screen content that viewers were glued to four decades ago. As Grace demonstrates, it was the Christmas that saw Band Aid first 'Feed the World', there was another big hit with a new

Actor Zoë Wanamaker recalls the BBC's 1999 star-studded adaptation of the Dickens classic.

First part of the adaptation of Charles Dickens' novel.

Adaptation of Muriel Spark's witty and macabre novel set in 1950s London, featuring a distinguished cast that includes Maggie Smith and Michael Hordern. "Remember you must die," says the anonymous voice on the telephone. Is it a practical joke or is there a more sinister purpose threatening the lives of the recipients, all part of an ageing coterie of friends who share guilty secrets from the past

Sir Derek Jacobi looks back on the filmed version of Franco Zeffirelli's famous 1960s production of Much Ado About Nothing – a performance that brought together Robert Stephens, in the role of Benedick, and his soon-to-be wife – the late, great Maggie Smith – in the key role of Beatrice. For years, this recording was considered to be "lost" by Shakespeare fans and TV historians, until a copy was f

1967 screen version of the exuberant National Theatre production of Shakespeare's comedy.

Today, they are at the centre of British cultural life and among our greatest exports – the acting dames, an exclusive club of stage and screen greats who were honoured for their services to drama. But, lurking in the BBC archives – from long before their talents were recognised by royal decree – we find the early work and some career defining moments of Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Diana Rigg and He

TV critic, writer and 1980s addict Grace Dent unwraps the TV schedules for 1984 and finds it was a case of Orwell that ends well, on another festive fun-packed dash through the BBC's archives, examining all the small screen content that viewers were glued to four decades ago. As Grace demonstrates, it was the Christmas that saw Band Aid first 'Feed the World', there was another big hit with a new

Illustrative film of the Christmas story A Child's Christmas in Wales, by Dylan Thomas.

Actor Anne Stallybrass reads a passage from A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens.

Deeply in love with the beautiful but immature Dora, David sets out to woo her.

Dr Chris van Tulleken follows the extraordinary journey food takes through our bodies – from the very first moment we see and smell a potential meal... until it finally emerges at the other end of our digestive tract. Be prepared for plenty of gross moments in this one-hour lecture! Prue Leith, the nation's favourite baker, drops by with some very confusing Christmas foods to help Chris crack the

Maria Callas sang in London for the first time in over eight years, and BBC cameras were in the Royal Festival Hall, London, for the occasion. She shares the programme with distinguished Sicilian tenor Giuseppe di Stefano, and they are accompanied by Ivor Newton on the piano.

Maria Callas, Greek opera singer and one of the world's outstanding sopranos, is interviewed in her Paris apartment by Lord Harewood.

In the second of two programmes, Maria Callas, the great soprano, talks to Lord Harewood about her approach to the major roles of her repertoire.