I recall in the build-up to the first Gulf War being asked by a New York producer from CBS if we could do a piece on how Jordanians celebrated Christmas. It was a pretty short piece.

Emily Wilson at Channel 4 News blogs on how hard it is to fill programmes at this time of year. Oh yes.

If you really want a grim laugh over the turkey and pudding, turn on a 24-hour news channel. Yes, they really are working. No, there isn’t any news.

Expect features, an analysis of the Queen’s message, year-enders, Christmas with the troops, and a whole lot more audio-visual tumbleweed. There’s only one thing worse. Real news.