BBC TV March 2026: Daily Viewing Guide & Must-Watch UK Shows
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| BBC in March 2026 |
March 2026 is a strong month for BBC television, blending returning drama, major live sport, entertainment staples and documentary premieres. For UK viewers planning their evenings, this guide breaks down the month week by week, highlighting confirmed flagship programmes and the most anticipated broadcasts across BBC One and BBC Two.
Read more: UK TV Schedule March 2026: Premiere Dates, Airtimes & What to Watch
Week 1: Sunday 1 March – Saturday 7 March
Sunday 1 March
BBC One at 8:00pm sees the return of Call the Midwife (Series 15). The long-running drama continues its exploration of early 1970s Britain, focusing on social change, women’s health and community life in Poplar. Sunday evenings remain its traditional home, making it one of the strongest weekly anchors on the BBC schedule.
BBC Two’s Sunday night typically follows with arts programming or documentary features, often beginning at 9:00pm.
Monday 2 – Friday 6 March
Weekday scheduling remains consistent:
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Morning: BBC Breakfast and daytime lifestyle programming
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Afternoon: Quiz shows and property formats
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Early evening: Regional news followed by the 6:00pm national bulletin
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Primetime: Mix of drama repeats, factual programming and returning series
BBC Two continues its midweek documentary strand, often focusing on science, history or cultural subjects.
Saturday 7 March
BBC One in early evening continues the latest series of Gladiators, the revived physical competition show that has regained strong family audiences. The programme typically airs in a Saturday primetime slot around 7:00–7:30pm, followed by entertainment or drama later in the evening.
Read more: March 2026 TV Premiere Dates UK: Every New & Returning Show (Full Schedule Guide)
Week 2: Sunday 8 March – Saturday 14 March
Sunday 8 March
Call the Midwife continues its weekly run at 8:00pm on BBC One.
BBC One’s late Sunday slot (around 9:00pm) frequently rotates between drama premieres, true-crime documentaries or major factual investigations. March traditionally sees high-quality limited series occupying this position.
Midweek Highlights
BBC Two maintains strong midweek factual programming. March often features:
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History documentaries
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Science specials
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Cultural retrospectives
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Author or filmmaker profiles
Evenings across both channels maintain consistent news bulletins and analysis, including in-depth current affairs programming.
Saturday 14 March – Six Nations Rugby
Mid-March is shaped by the conclusion of the 2026 Six Nations Championship. BBC holds free-to-air rights for Scotland and Wales fixtures. Matches are typically broadcast in afternoon or early evening slots, with coverage beginning approximately one hour before kick-off.
Live rugby coverage significantly impacts the evening schedule on match days, sometimes pushing entertainment programming later.
Week 3: Sunday 15 March – Saturday 21 March
With Six Nations concluding, drama and entertainment resume full prominence.
Sunday 15 March
Call the Midwife continues in its 8:00pm slot. By mid-season, storylines intensify, and viewing figures traditionally peak during this phase.
BBC Two often schedules feature-length documentaries or major investigative specials on Sunday evenings, appealing to audiences seeking in-depth storytelling.
Midweek Programming
Weekday evenings across BBC One typically include:
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Returning scripted dramas
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One-off investigative reports
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Comedy series in 30-minute slots
BBC Two strengthens its cultural positioning during this period, frequently airing programmes tied to British heritage, arts and literature.
Read more: ITV TV Schedule March 2026: Full Daily Guide and Must-Watch Shows in the UK
Week 4: Sunday 22 March – Tuesday 31 March
Late March scheduling builds toward spring programming transitions.
Sunday 22 March
The penultimate episodes of Call the Midwife Series 15 typically air in this window. Anticipation builds ahead of the season finale, often scheduled for the final Sunday of the month or early April.
BBC One may also introduce Easter-adjacent programming toward the end of March if the calendar aligns, including themed documentaries or seasonal specials.
Final Week of March
The final days of March traditionally feature:
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Drama climaxes or finales
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Documentary premieres ahead of April launches
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Updated spring schedule previews
BBC News continues rolling coverage throughout the month, with flagship bulletins at 1:00pm, 6:00pm and 10:00pm on BBC One.
Must-Watch BBC Shows in March 2026
Call the Midwife – Series 15
Still one of BBC One’s highest-rated dramas, the series remains essential Sunday viewing. Its blend of emotional storytelling and period authenticity keeps it at the centre of the BBC schedule.
Gladiators – Series 3
The revived format has secured a stable Saturday primetime audience. Its broad appeal makes it a key family fixture.
Six Nations Rugby Coverage
For sports fans, mid-March live rugby is unmissable. Free-to-air coverage ensures strong national viewership, particularly for Scotland and Wales fixtures.
Sunday Night Drama and Factual Specials
BBC consistently uses Sunday evenings for premium drama or investigative documentaries. March 2026 continues that strategy, making Sunday the most important night of the week for appointment viewing.
BBC News and Current Affairs
In a year marked by global political and economic shifts, BBC News remains central to daily viewing habits across the UK.
How to Check the Exact Daily BBC Schedule
For precise broadcast times and late changes:
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Visit BBC iPlayer’s TV Guide
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Check regional listings for local news variations
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Use catch-up viewing via iPlayer for missed programmes
A valid UK TV Licence is required for live viewing and BBC iPlayer access.
Why March 2026 Is a Strong Month for BBC
March offers balance. Established flagship drama anchors Sunday evenings. Saturday remains family-focused. Midweek delivers strong factual programming. Live sport injects national event viewing into the schedule.
For UK audiences, it’s a month that rewards regular appointment viewing rather than casual channel-hopping.
