‘Call the Midwife’ season 5 Christmas Special will air on Christmas in America

While the idea of a Christmas Special airing on Christmas Day in America is a rather common concept in the United Kingdom, it is something that is rather rare in America. The majority of televised networks are fearful of having an episode airing at a time when few families are interested in watching television, so the majority of shows with Christmas episodes that are American-made tend to air in the weeks leading up to it. Meanwhile, sometimes British specials don’t air until weeks or even months after the fact.

Luckily, this is not happening with “Call the Midwife.” PBS will be airing the 2015 Christmas Special on December 25 at 9:00 p.m., keeping what is at least a small tradition for them going. In a statement, executive producer Pippa Harris of Neal Street Productions had the following to stay:

“Heidi Thomas has written our most moving and enjoyable Holiday Special to date, filled with festive cheer, snow and, of course, newborn babies. We’re delighted that together with PBS we can share this holiday treat with all our U.S. fans.”

This special will serve as a nice precursor for the fifth season of the BBC series, which will air later in the spring. That’s right: While U.S. fans may have to wait only a few hours for the Christmas Special, season 5 will be months behind when it airs overseas. Blame the scheduling for this for the most part, since “Downton Abbey” will be occupying the network’s Sunday schedule in January and February. (Unfortunately, “Downton” fans are not getting that show’s Christmas Special, otherwise known as their series finale, until March.)

If you are interested in getting some further news related to “Call the Midwife,” head over here to see who is not returning for the upcoming season. Meanwhile, sign up now to secure some other updates on everything we cover, sent right over to you via our CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo: BBC.)