How many seasons does Alternative Christmas Message have?

Alternative Christmas Message has 33 seasons with 34 episodes.

What network is Alternative Christmas Message on?

Alternative Christmas Message airs on Channel 4.

When did Alternative Christmas Message premiere?

Alternative Christmas Message premiered on December 25, 1993.

Alternative Christmas Message

Channel 4 Running

33 Seasons · 34 Episodes · Premiered December 25, 1993

A alternative message for the festive period, hosted by a figure who has had particular prominence in the past year.

Where to Watch: Channel 4

Official Site

Next Air Time: No upcoming air date

Seasons & Episodes

Season 1993

1 episode

E01

Alternative Christmas Message 1993

Sat, Dec 25 1993 3:00 PM GMT+0000 10 min

In 1993, Channel 4 presented a very distinctive alternative to the queen's speech - a heartfelt Christmas message from New York's famous British émigré Quentin Crisp

Season 1994

1 episode

E01

Alternative Christmas Message 1994

Sun, Dec 25 1994 2:05 PM GMT+0000 10 min

Former US presidential candidate Rev Jesse Jackson calls for an end to petty politics and hypocrisy, and delivers a message to British politicians

Season 1995

1 episode

E01

Alternative Christmas Message 1995

Mon, Dec 25 1995 2:05 PM GMT+0000 10 min

Brigitte Bardot discusses animal rights as she delivers Channel 4's Alternative Christmas Message

Season 1996

1 episode

E01

Alternative Christmas Message 1996

Wed, Dec 25 1996 2:05 PM GMT+0000 10 min

Season 1997

1 episode

E01

Alternative Christmas Message 1997

Thu, Dec 25 1997 2:05 PM GMT+0000 10 min

A Belfast schoolgirl who broadcast a plea for peace in Northern Ireland

Season 1998

1 episode

E01

Alternative Christmas Message 1998

Fri, Dec 25 1998 2:05 PM GMT+0000 10 min

Neville and Doreen Lawrence, the parents of murdered black teenager Stephen Lawrence, deliver Channel 4's Alternative Christmas Message

Season 1999

1 episode

E01

Alternative Christmas Message 1999

Sat, Dec 25 1999 2:05 PM GMT+0000 10 min

Season 2000

1 episode

E01

Alternative Christmas Message 2000

Mon, Dec 25 2000 2:05 PM GMT+0000 10 min

Helen Jeffries, who lost her 14-year-old daughter Zoe to vCJD, reflects on a tragic year, when she was betrayed by bureaucracy and officialdom but heartened by the overwhelming support of the public

Season 2001

1 episode

E01

Alternative Christmas Message 2001

Tue, Dec 25 2001 2:05 PM GMT+0000 10 min

Genelle Guzman was the last survivor to be rescued from the rubble of the Twin Towers. She describes her ordeal and its aftermath, and how it has strengthened her faith.

Season 2002

1 episode

E01

Alternative Christmas Message 2002

Wed, Dec 25 2002 2:05 PM GMT+0000 10 min

Gunther Von Hagens explains why a public autopsy he conducted and his Body Worlds exhibition are a vital part of freedom of expression, and demonstrates his unique approach to dissecting a turkey

Season 2003

1 episode

E01

Alternative Christmas Message 2003

Thu, Dec 25 2003 2:05 PM GMT+0000 10 min

Barry and Michelle Seabourne from Wife Swap share their Christmas with viewers. Let's hope Barry's bought Michelle a present!

Season 2004

1 episode

E01

Alternative Christmas Message 2004

Sat, Dec 25 2004 2:05 PM GMT+0000 10 min

Marge Simpson was chosen to give the message due to Channel 4's recent acquisition of rights to broadcast The Simpsons.

Season 2005

1 episode

E01

Alternative Christmas Message 2005

Sun, Dec 25 2005 2:05 PM GMT+0000 10 min

Season 2006

1 episode

E01

Alternative Christmas Message 2006

Mon, Dec 25 2006 2:05 PM GMT+0000 10 min

Season 2007

1 episode

E01

Alternative Christmas Message 2007

Tue, Dec 25 2007 2:05 PM GMT+0000 10 min

A British soldier who lost his arm fighting in Afghanistan

Season 2008

1 episode

E01

Alternative Christmas Message 2008

Thu, Dec 25 2008 2:05 PM GMT+0000 10 min

With relations between Iran and the West playing a central role in world affairs, Channel 4's 2008 Alternative Christmas Message is delivered by the President of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

Season 2009

1 episode

E01

Alternative Christmas Message 2009

Fri, Dec 25 2009 2:05 PM GMT+0000 10 min

Acid attack survivor Katie Piper delivers Channel 4's traditional alternative to the Queen's Christmas Day broadcast

Season 2010

1 episode

E01

Alternative Christmas Message 2010

Sat, Dec 25 2010 2:05 PM GMT+0000 10 min

The message was delivered by a team of midwives as part of One Born at Christmas, a festive special based around Channel 4's hit documentary series One Born Every Minute.

Season 2011

2 episodes

E01

Alternative Christmas Message 2011: Just Be Yourself

Sun, Dec 25 2011 1:55 PM GMT+0000 10 min

Inspirational people from 2011's most powerful and celebratory factual programming give their unique take on Christmas in a festive message titled Just Be Yourself. Featuring Katie Piper.

E02

Alternative Christmas Message 2011: Educating Essex

Sun, Dec 25 2011 4:15 PM GMT+0000 10 min

Vic Goddard and Stephen Drew, who featured in 2011's most powerful factual programming, give their unique take on Christmas in a festive message titled Educating Essex Christmas Special.

Season 2012

1 episode

E01

Alternative Christmas Message 2012

Tue, Dec 25 2012 2:05 PM GMT+0000 10 min

Comedian Adam Hills helped challenge perceptions of disability as part of Channel 4's Paralympic coverage. Now he presents Channel 4's alternative to the Queen's Christmas Message.

Season 2013

1 episode

E01

Alternative Christmas Message 2013

Wed, Dec 25 2013 2:05 PM GMT+0000 10 min

Whistleblower Edward Snowden, who revealed the mass surveillance programmes organised by the US and other governments, gives this year's The Alternative Christmas Message

Season 2014

1 episode

E01

Alternative Christmas Message 2014

Thu, Dec 25 2014 2:05 PM GMT+0000 10 min

William Pooley, the NHS trained nurse who survived Ebola, delivers 2014's Alternative Christmas Message, speaking about the epidemic that has so far cost the lives of over 7000

Season 2015

1 episode

E01

Alternative Christmas Message 2015

Fri, Dec 25 2015 3:35 PM GMT+0000 10 min

Abdullah Kurdi, the father of Alan Kurdi, the drowned Syrian boy whose body was photographed on a Turkish beach, delivers Channel 4's 2015 Message

Season 2016

1 episode

E01

Alternative Christmas Message 2016

Sun, Dec 25 2016 2:05 PM GMT+0000 10 min

Brendan Cox, the widowed husband of MP Jo Cox, delivers Channel 4's 2016 Alternative Christmas Message

Season 2017

1 episode

E01

Alternative Christmas Message 2017

Mon, Dec 25 2017 2:10 PM GMT+0000 5 min

Five children who survived the Grenfell Tower disaster deliver a moving message, urging other families to love and respect each other, and calling for everyone to be given a home

Season 2018

1 episode

E01

Danny Dyer's Alternative Christmas Message

Tue, Dec 25 2018 3:50 PM GMT+0000 10 min

Danny Dyer delivers the 2018 Alternative Christmas Message. What does Danny think of our leaders in Westminster and Donald Trump, and who are his heroes?

Season 2019

1 episode

E01

John Bercow's Alternative Christmas Message

Wed, Dec 25 2019 2:25 PM GMT+0000 5 min

John Bercow delivers the 2019 Alternative Christmas Message: a pro-democracy and pro-Parliament message of tolerance and respect

Season 2020

1 episode

E01

Alternative Christmas Message 2020

Fri, Dec 25 2020 3:25 PM GMT+0000 5 min

A comedic parody which serves as a stark warning about misinformation and fake news in a digital age. The Queen speaks 'plainly and from the heart'. Is what we see and hear always as it seems?

Season 2021

1 episode

E01

Alternative Christmas Message 2021

Sat, Dec 25 2021 5:00 PM GMT+0000 5 min

Olympic champion Tom Daley addresses the nation with a heartfelt message of inclusion and acceptance

Season 2022

1 episode

E01

Alternative Christmas Message 2022

Sun, Dec 25 2022 5:25 PM GMT+0000 5 min

Ameca, one of the world's most advanced AI robots, delivers Channel 4's Alternative Christmas Message to the nation for 2022

Season 2023

1 episode

E01

Alternative Christmas Message 2023

Mon, Dec 25 2023 5:15 PM GMT+0000 5 min

Stephen Fry delivers an impassioned plea for us all to recognise and call out antisemitism, following its alarming rise in the UK since the 7 October Hamas attacks and subsequent response from Israel

Season 2024

1 episode

E01

Alternative Christmas Message 2024

Wed, Dec 25 2024 4:50 PM GMT+0000 5 min

Comedian Chris McCausland calls for an end to discrimination against disabled people, and for employers and the government to support their access to jobs.

Season 2025

1 episode

E01

The Alternative Christmas Message 2025

Thu, Dec 25 2025 5:45 PM GMT+0000 5 min

US chat show host Jimmy Kimmel shares a deeply personal message with the nation, after being briefly taken off the air following comments made in the wake of the murder of Charlie Kirk

User Reviews

Rate this show

Your star rating (required)

★ ★ ★ ★ ★