This Week on TV - Must-Watch Shows & Programmes

What to Watch on TV – November Week Three (15 – 21 Nov 2025)

This week's Freeview schedule delivers everything from nail-biting international football to glittering entertainment spectacles. Scotland faces Greece in a must-win Nations League clash, Strictly Come Dancing crowns another week 8 survivor, and Celebrity MasterChef turns up the heat in the kitchen. Expect celebrity globetrotting adventures in Celebrity Race Across the World, Michael McIntyre spinning his giant wheel of fortune, and classic British mysteries from Midsomer to Vera. Whether you're after sporting drama, sequined Saturday nights, or cozy Sunday evening comfort viewing, this week's Freeview lineup has you covered without spending a penny on subscriptions.

1. Greece v Scotland (BBC Two, Fri 15 Nov, 7:15pm)

Scotland's Nations League campaign reaches a critical juncture in Athens. With qualification hopes hanging by a thread, Steve Clarke's side faces a Greece team riding high on home advantage. This isn't just another friendly – Nations League points mean everything for seeding in future tournaments and potential playoff spots.

The match kicks off at 7:45pm, with comprehensive build-up coverage from 7:15pm featuring expert analysis and team news. Scotland showed fighting spirit in their previous qualifiers, but Greece's passionate home crowd creates one of European football's most intimidating atmospheres. Can Scotland's experienced squad handle the pressure and secure the vital points they need?

For football fans, this is essential Friday night viewing. The BBC's coverage includes in-depth tactics, player profiles, and all the drama of competitive international football. Whether you're a Tartan Army regular or casual supporter, this match could define Scotland's footballing fortunes for the next campaign. Grab your scarf, settle in with your takeaway, and prepare for 90 minutes of nerves.

2. Celebrity Catchphrase (ITV1, Sat 16 Nov, 7pm)

Saturday night kicks off with Stephen Mulhern's reliably entertaining gameshow. Tonight's celebrity lineup features comedian Axel Blake, broadcaster Richard Madeley, and presenter Sian Welby competing to solve those iconic animated puzzles. "Say what you see" has never been more competitive – or more amusing when celebrities spectacularly miss the obvious answer.

The format remains beautifully simple: spot the phrase hidden in the cartoon animation, bank cash for charity, and try not to look foolish when you shout "UMBRELLA!" for a puzzle clearly showing a raincoat. Mulhern brings his trademark warmth and mischief, gently teasing contestants while keeping the energy high.

It's comfort food television – familiar, undemanding, and perfect for Saturday teatime when you want light entertainment that doesn't require your full attention. The celebrity element adds extra fun as famous faces prove they're just as capable of brain freezes as the rest of us. Plus, it's all for charity, so everyone wins (except perhaps Richard Madeley's dignity when he inevitably says something unintentionally hilarious).

3. Michael McIntyre's The Wheel (BBC One, Sat 16 Nov, 8pm)

Michael McIntyre's spinning spectacular returns with a stellar celebrity lineup. Stacey Dooley, Maisie Adam, Oti Mabuse, Asim Chaudhry, and Ricky Wilson sit in those famous seats, waiting to help contestants win life-changing money. The Wheel's format remains brilliantly simple: answer questions correctly in the celebrity expert's category, survive on the wheel, and build your jackpot.

What makes The Wheel work is the combination of genuine tension (when the wheel spins, anything can happen), celebrity charm (the stars want contestants to win), and McIntyre's ability to turn question failures into comedy gold. When a contestant gets "Reality TV" and lands on Stacey Dooley, it's perfect matchmaking. When they get "Classical Music" and land on Asim Chaudhry... well, that's where the entertainment value skyrockets.

Tonight's episode promises big money potential as contestants navigate their way through categories, hoping the wheel gods smile favorably. Oti Mabuse brings Strictly expertise, Ricky Wilson delivers music knowledge, and Maisie Adam provides comedy insights. It's Saturday night television at its glossiest – big production values, likeable celebrities, and ordinary people getting a shot at extraordinary prizes. Perfect viewing before Strictly.

4. The 1% Club (ITV1, Sat 16 Nov, 8pm)

Lee Mack hosts Britain's most humbling quiz show. The concept sounds simple: answer logic puzzles that get progressively harder, starting with questions 90% of Britain can solve, working down to the fiendishly difficult 1% stumpers. No specialist knowledge required – just pure reasoning ability.

The genius lies in watching hundred contestants confidently press their answers, only for simple-sounding questions to eliminate dozens in one fell swoop. "Which number comes next in this sequence?" seems straightforward until you realize the pattern makes absolutely no sense to your brain. Contestants who cruise through the 60% questions often crash spectacularly at the 20% level.

Mack brings his quick wit to proceedings, sympathizing with wrong answers while gently mocking the overconfident. The studio audience gasps, groans, and occasionally erupts in applause when someone spots a particularly clever solution. It's compelling viewing that makes you shout answers at the screen, then feel smug when you're right and defensive when you're wrong.

The final 1% question usually breaks everyone – contestants and viewers alike. If you solve it, you're genuinely in Britain's smartest percentile (or you got very lucky). Either way, it's addictive Saturday night entertainment that proves intelligence comes in many forms.

5. Star Wars: The Force Awakens (ITV2, Sat 16 Nov, 8:40pm)

J.J. Abrams' blockbuster relaunch of the Star Wars saga makes its latest terrestrial appearance. Thirty years after Return of the Jedi, a new generation faces the remnants of the Empire, now reborn as the sinister First Order. Rey (Daisy Ridley), a scavenger from the desert planet Jakku, discovers her destiny intertwined with the legendary Skywalker family.

This is Star Wars for a new generation while honoring the original trilogy's magic. Harrison Ford returns as a grizzled Han Solo, still flying the Millennium Falcon with Chewbacca at his side. New faces bring fresh energy – John Boyega's reformed Stormtrooper Finn, Oscar Isaac's hotshot pilot Poe Dameron, and Adam Driver's conflicted villain Kylo Ren create compelling character dynamics.

The practical effects, desert locations, and emphasis on character over CGI gave Star Wars back its heart after the prequel trilogy's green-screen overload. The moment Rey discovers Luke's lightsaber, or when the Millennium Falcon tears through Jakku's wreckage, long-time fans feel that original trilogy magic returning.

At 95 minutes of prime viewing time (it's actually 138 minutes, but ITV will edit it down and add adverts), this makes perfect Saturday night family entertainment. Pop the popcorn, dim the lights, and let J.J. Abrams transport you to that galaxy far, far away. The Force is strong with this one.

6. Strictly Come Dancing: The Results (BBC One, Sun 17 Nov, 7:15pm)

Week eight results bring the annual Strictly tension to peak levels. We're deep into the competition now – the novelty acts have departed, the journey contestants have bowed out, and only genuine contenders remain. Tonight, one more couple faces elimination just before the legendary Blackpool special.

Tess and Claudia guide us through the nail-biting results with their perfect blend of glamour and warmth. The group performance showcases the remaining couples' chemistry and skill, while musical guests provide spectacular mid-show entertainment. Then comes the dreaded dance-off – two couples battling to survive another week, with judges forced to save one and send the other home.

Blackpool looms next week, and everyone wants that legendary ballroom experience. The Tower Ballroom's sprung floor has hosted Strictly magic for years, and making it to Blackpool represents a genuine achievement. Tonight's eliminated couple will miss that pinnacle, making the stakes impossibly high.

The Sunday evening ritual continues: Tess's glamorous gowns, Claudia's sparkly jackets, Craig's brutal honesty, and Shirley's technical expertise. Whether your favorite survives or falls at this crucial hurdle, the drama is irresistible. Perfect Sunday evening comfort viewing with sequins, tears, and triumphs in equal measure.

7. Antiques Roadshow (BBC One, Sun 17 Nov, 8pm)

Fiona Bruce and the expert team set up shop at Swansea's National Waterfront Museum for part two of their Welsh visit. The maritime setting provides perfect backdrop for nautical treasures – expect sailors' memorabilia, shipwright's tools, and perhaps some smuggling tales from Wales' coastal heritage.

Antiques Roadshow's enduring appeal lies in those magical moments when someone brings in their "old thing from the attic" and discovers it's worth thousands. The expert's eyes widen, the owner's jaw drops, and viewers at home frantically search their own lofts for forgotten treasures. But equally compelling are the stories – family heirlooms passed down through generations, each scratch and dent carrying memories.

Tonight's Swansea edition should deliver maritime curiosities alongside the usual eclectic mix. Someone always brings a grotesque Victorian ornament worth pennies but described with loving detail. Another reveals a painting bought at a car boot sale that turns out to be an important work. The expert team's genuine enthusiasm makes every item fascinating, whether it's worth £20 or £20,000.

It's soothing Sunday evening television that celebrates history, craftsmanship, and the human stories behind objects. Pour yourself a cup of tea, settle into the sofa, and prepare to learn something while secretly hoping someone discovers a Rembrandt in their garden shed.

8. Celebrity MasterChef (BBC One, Tue 19 Nov, 8pm)

John Torode and Gregg Wallace return to put celebrities through their culinary paces. The format remains deliciously simple: famous faces who think they can cook face the brutal reality of the MasterChef kitchen. Some rise magnificently to the challenge, producing restaurant-quality dishes. Others burn water and cry into their collapsed soufflés.

The beauty of Celebrity MasterChef lies in watching personalities outside their comfort zones. That confident comedian suddenly becomes a nervous wreck when asked to butterfly a chicken. The actor who claimed to "love cooking" stares blankly at a celeriac. Gregg's enthusiastic food metaphors reach new heights of absurdity, while John's withering criticism cuts through any celebrity ego.

But when contestants genuinely improve, it's heartwarming television. Watching someone who couldn't chop an onion in week one produce a perfectly executed dish by the semifinals creates genuine emotional investment. The celebrity element adds extra fun – you're not just rooting for a good cook, you're supporting a personality you already know and like (or dislike, which makes their disasters even more entertaining).

Tonight's heat promises culinary chaos, heroic cooking under pressure, and at least one dish Gregg describes as "absolutely incredible" while making ecstatic face expressions. It's Tuesday night comfort viewing with added butter, tears, and triumphs.

9. Sara Cox: Every Step of the Way for Children in Need (BBC One, Wed 20 Nov, 8pm)

Radio 2 presenter Sara Cox concludes her epic ultra-marathon challenge for Children in Need. This documentary follows Sara's grueling journey across northern England, carrying that iconic Pudsey backpack every step of the way. It's been a physical and emotional marathon – quite literally – as Sara pushed her body to limits most of us can't imagine.

What makes these Children in Need challenges compelling isn't just the physical achievement (though running multiple marathons back-to-back deserves massive respect). It's the communities Sara encounters along the way – supporters who turn out in freezing weather to cheer her on, children whose lives the charity has transformed, and the sheer determination to finish despite exhaustion, blisters, and muscle cramps.

Sara's warmth and humor carry the documentary. Even when she's clearly struggling, she finds time for selfies, jokes with supporters, and reminds everyone why they're doing this – to help vulnerable children across the UK. The emotional weight hits when you see the actual young people whose lives Children in Need supports, putting real faces to the millions of pounds raised.

By the documentary's end, when Sara crosses that final finish line, you'll likely have tears in your eyes and a renewed appreciation for what the human body and spirit can achieve. It's inspirational, heartwarming, and might just inspire you to dig deep for Friday's Children in Need telethon.

10. Celebrity Race Across the World (BBC One, Thu 21 Nov, 8pm)

The celebrity version of the BBC's hit travel format continues its journey across continents. Famous faces paired with family members or friends race from checkpoint to checkpoint without flights, smartphones, or luxury transport. It's the ultimate leveler – your celebrity status means nothing when you're haggling for bus tickets in a language you don't speak.

What makes Race Across the World compelling is watching people completely outside their comfort zones. That soap star used to red carpets and five-star hotels now sleeps in budget hostels and navigates chaotic train stations. The reality TV personality who never travels without an entourage must rely on the kindness of strangers and their own wits.

The format forces genuine human interaction in our disconnected age. Contestants must ask locals for directions, trust strangers' advice, and experience cultures authentically rather than through Instagram filters. Friendships form across language barriers, small kindnesses become massive when you're lost and exhausted, and the contestants often say the journey changed them fundamentally.

Tonight's episode promises more strategic racing, transportation dramas (missed connections are almost guaranteed), and beautiful cinematography showcasing stunning locations. It's travel television with purpose and competition, combining Amazing Race urgency with Slow TV appreciation for the journey itself. Thursday night escapism at its finest.

Your Week in Numbers

• 7:45pm – Kick-off time for Greece v Scotland (BBC Two coverage starts 7:15pm)
• 8 – Weeks into Strictly before Blackpool beckons
• 1% – The percentage who solve Lee Mack's hardest questions
• 90 minutes – Plus injury time for Scotland's crucial match
• 2015 – When Star Wars returned with The Force Awakens
• 100 – Initial contestants in The 1% Club
• 30 years – Time gap between Return of Jedi and Force Awakens

Final Viewing Tips

1. Friday Night Football – Greece v Scotland kicks off at 7:45pm on BBC Two. If you're watching in a pub, arrive early for atmosphere. At home, BBC iPlayer lets you pause for halftime snack raids.

2. Saturday's Double Quiz Night – Choose your poison at 8pm: Michael McIntyre's celebrity-driven Wheel on BBC One, or Lee Mack's brain-bending 1% Club on ITV1. Both excellent, record one for Sunday.

3. Sunday Strictly Ritual – Results show at 7:15pm, followed by Antiques Roadshow at 8pm. The perfect one-two of glittery drama and soothing antiques. Make Sunday evening a no-plans zone.

4. Midweek Motivation – Sara Cox's ultra-marathon documentary (Wednesday, 8pm) is inspirational stuff. Watch it while NOT on the treadmill unless you're feeling particularly motivated.

5. Star Wars Timing – ITV2's Force Awakens broadcast starts 8:40pm Saturday. Realistically, with ad breaks, expect 11pm finish. Perfect for night owls and weekend warriors with no Sunday plans.

6. Celebrity MasterChef Strategy – Tuesday's episode makes great dinner prep viewing. Just don't attempt anything too ambitious while watching – their disasters are contagious.

This Week's Verdict

Best for Sports Fans: Greece v Scotland (Fri, BBC Two) Best for Families: Michael McIntyre's The Wheel (Sat, BBC One) Best for Movie Night: Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Sat, ITV2) Best for Sunday Comfort: Antiques Roadshow (Sun, BBC One) Best for Brain Training: The 1% Club (Sat, ITV1) Most Emotional: Sara Cox Children in Need documentary (Wed, BBC One) Best Adventure: Celebrity Race Across the World (Thu, BBC One)

This week's Freeview schedule proves you don't need expensive subscriptions for quality entertainment. From international football drama to Saturday night sparkle, from celebrity cooking disasters to globe-trotting adventures, there's something for every mood and taste. The BBC and ITV continue to deliver that perfect mix of big entertainment, gentle comfort viewing, and programs that bring the nation together.

Scotland's footballing fate, Strictly's Blackpool aspirants, and Sara Cox's finishing line all provide genuine dramatic moments alongside the familiar comfort of Lee Mack's wit, Fiona Bruce's antiques expertise, and Gregg Wallace's food metaphors. Set your reminders, clear your schedule for Saturday's entertainment marathon, and prepare for a week of Freeview excellence.

Happy watching! 📺✨