What's on TV tonight? Saturday's TV guide belongs to one event above all others: the BRIT Awards leave London for the first time in their 49-year history, setting up camp in Manchester with Jack Whitehall at the helm. But there's plenty fighting for your attention across the TV listings tonight -- from a new Bill Bailey travel series to a deeply emotional Piano Room session on BBC Two and the ongoing drama of the Walsh family. Our Freeview TV guide below picks through every highlight worth your time.
What's On TV Tonight: Quick Picks
- The BRIT Awards 2026 -- ITV1, 8.15pm -- Historic Manchester edition with Jack Whitehall hosting
- Bill Bailey's Vietnam -- Channel 4, 9.15pm -- Brand new travel series starting in Hoi An
- The Walsh Sisters -- BBC One, 9.20pm -- Episode 2: Rachel faces rehab, but she's not the only one in trouble
- Classic Hits in the Piano Room -- BBC Two, 8.30pm -- Classic tracks stripped back with the BBC Concert Orchestra
- Casualty -- BBC One, 8.30pm -- CQC inspectors return as tensions run high
- Match of the Day -- BBC One, 10.30pm -- Leeds v Man City, Liverpool v West Ham
TV Guide: Early Evening (5pm -- 8pm)
Gladiators -- BBC One, 5.45pm
The quarter-finals roll on, and if you've missed the spectacle of grown adults in Lycra clobbering each other with oversized padded sticks, tonight remedies that. Bradley and Barney Walsh are back with four fresh Contenders, and the Gauntlet promises to be eventful -- there's a fair amount of tension between certain Gladiators that spills over into the competition itself. Former Strictly star Nitro is in characteristically exuberant form, and one Contender with the self-given nickname "the Shaunado" -- an aerospace apprentice, no less -- has a family connection to the show that gives his run an extra layer of meaning.
Michael McIntyre's Big Show -- BBC One, 6.45pm
The series finale, and it's won an NTA, so someone's clearly watching. The centrepiece remains Send To All, where some poor unsuspecting soul hands their phone over and McIntyre wreaks havoc with their contacts. Tonight's guests include Jade Thirlwall, formerly of Little Mix, Jack Savoretti and Tasha Ghouri, while the Unexpected Star of the Show slot springs a surprise on an unsuspecting member of the public. It's loud, it's silly, and it knows exactly what it is.
Britain's Got Talent -- ITV1, 7pm
Auditions continue, and the whole operation has decamped to Blackpool for this round -- which feels appropriate given that BGT has always had a bit of an end-of-the-pier energy to it. Amanda Holden remains on the panel, Ant and Dec do their thing in the wings, and somewhere in the mix there'll be at least one act that makes you question what you're doing with your life. That's the formula. It works.
TV Tonight: Prime Time (8pm onwards)
The BRIT Awards 2026 -- ITV1, 8.15pm ⭐
This is the big one tonight. After 49 years of being a London affair -- right from that first ceremony in 1977 when Michael Aspel hosted and the Beatles won Best Album for Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, a full decade after it came out -- the Brits are finally going north. Manchester hosts, Jack Whitehall returns as compere, and the nominees suggest a properly competitive year.
Sam Fender and Olivia Dean are both in the running for Best Artist, and they're also pitted against each other in Best Song. Internationally, the shortlists read like a festival lineup: Bad Bunny, Sabrina Carpenter, Tame Impala and Brooklyn's Geese all feature. There should be live performances too, and the Brits at their best deliver genuine spectacle -- memorable sets, surprise collaborations, the odd bit of chaos. Manchester as a backdrop adds something. It's a city that understands music in its bones.
Whether this is a watershed moment or just a novelty remains to be seen, but either way it makes tonight's ceremony feel like it actually matters for the first time in a while.
Casualty -- BBC One, 8.30pm
Episode 7 of 12, and the emergency department is under the microscope. The CQC inspectors are back, which means everyone's on high alert -- except, apparently, for Matty, who decides this is the perfect moment to attempt a lumbar puncture somewhat beyond his authority. His only guidance? A colleague standing nearby reading the instructions off a phone screen. It's the kind of scenario that would be funny if it weren't set in a hospital. The tension between doing the right thing and doing the approved thing drives a solid episode.
Classic Hits in the Piano Room -- BBC Two, 8.30pm
This is a quiet gem. Radio 2's Piano Room sessions take well-known songs and strip them down to piano and orchestral arrangements, and the results are frequently better than the originals. Classic tracks are performed alongside the BBC Concert Orchestra, with the kind of intimacy the stadium versions never quite achieve. Followed at 10pm by Covers in the Piano Room at the BBC, where each artist performs a cover of their choice -- highlights include Jessie Ware transforming Cher's Believe into something slow and aching, Pink delivering Nothing Compares 2 U with raw vulnerability, and Coldplay tackling the Proclaimers' 500 Miles. Stay up for it.
Roman Empire by Train with Alice Roberts -- Channel 4, 8.15pm
Alice Roberts continues her rail tour through Italy's Roman past, reaching Parma and Turin this week. Roberts has that rare ability to make you care about things you didn't know you were interested in, and combining train travel with ancient history is a format that simply works. Informative without being dry, relaxing without being boring.
Bill Bailey's Vietnam -- Channel 4, 9.15pm
New series, and it's exactly the kind of travel programme that British television does better than anyone. Fifty years on from the end of the Vietnam War, Bill Bailey heads to south-east Asia, starting in the coastal city of Hoi An. He throws himself into the local culture with obvious relish -- visiting the markets, getting fitted for a tailor-made suit (ready in an implausible 48 hours), having a go on a pottery wheel, and boarding a traditional wooden boat so tiny he describes it as something like a floating thimble. There's real warmth here. Bailey's not performing at the camera; he's genuinely interested in the people he meets and the places he visits. If the rest of the series matches this opening episode, we're in for a treat.
The Walsh Sisters -- BBC One, 9.20pm
Episode two, and things are getting complicated. Rachel's family are pushing for rehab, which she resists with considerable force -- she maintains that her lifestyle is perfectly normal, thank you very much. But last week's cliffhanger suggested Rachel isn't the only Walsh sister whose life is unravelling, and tonight involves an anxious wait in A&E that exposes the cracks in the family's various facades. The writing is sharp, the performances feel lived-in, and the ability to balance dark subject matter with genuine humour is impressive. The full series is on iPlayer if you're already hooked.
TV Guide UK: Late Night
Match of the Day -- BBC One, 10.30pm
Gabby Logan presents, and there are some decent fixtures to chew over. Leeds versus Manchester City is the main attraction -- the 5.30pm kick-off on Sky Sports Main Event -- while Liverpool hosting West Ham should provide plenty of talking points too. Essential Saturday night viewing for anyone who managed to resist checking the scores all evening.
The Turkish Detective -- BBC Four, 9.20pm
Double bill tonight (episodes 3 and 4 of 8). Haluk Bilginer's Inspector Ikmen investigates the murder of a rap music manager, which takes him into corners of Istanbul that tourists never see. There's a lovely moment where Ikmen quotes Dylan Thomas with the kind of casual eloquence that suggests he's been doing it for years. Meanwhile, a young colleague finds his loyalties divided. If you haven't started this yet, it's well worth catching up -- the Istanbul setting gives it an atmosphere that distinguishes it from every other detective drama on television.
Mark Ronson: This Cultural Life -- BBC Two, 11.30pm
A late-night treat for music lovers. Mark Ronson -- DJ, songwriter, serial hitmaker -- discusses the people and records that shaped him. He's just been honoured with Outstanding Contribution to Music at the Brit Awards, so the timing feels right. The conversation covers his work with Amy Winehouse and the creation of Back to Black, growing up in a music-loving family, and the influences that shaped his genre-hopping career. Stay tuned afterwards for Mark Ronson at Glastonbury (midnight, BBC Two), which captures his electrifying 2015 Other Stage set featuring Mary J Blige, George Clinton and Grandmaster Flash.
Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol -- Channel 4, 10.15pm
Brad Bird's 2011 entry in the franchise, and arguably the one that turned the series from a reliable action franchise into something genuinely thrilling. The Burj Khalifa sequence alone is worth staying up for. Tom Cruise does his own climbing, naturally.
Sport
Rugby League: Super League -- Warrington v Wakefield is live on BBC Two from 5.15pm (kick-off 5.30pm). Later, Hull KR v Leeds Rhinos is on Sky Sports Main Event from 11.30pm with a midnight kick-off -- live from Las Vegas, of all places.
Premier League -- The headline fixture is Leeds v Manchester City at 5.30pm on Sky Sports Main Event. Bournemouth v Sunderland kicks off at 12.30pm on TNT Sports 1. Highlights of both plus Liverpool v West Ham on Match of the Day at 10.30pm, BBC One.
Bundesliga -- Borussia Dortmund v Bayern Munich at 5.30pm on Sky Sports Football. A proper rivalry match.
Cricket -- Men's T20 World Cup Super Eight from Kandy: Sri Lanka v Pakistan from 1.30pm on Sky Sports Cricket.
Other -- Leicester v Norwich (EFL, 11am Sky Sports), Welsh Open Snooker (TNT Sports 2 from 12.45pm), Inter v Genoa (Serie A, 7.30pm TNT Sports 1), IndyCar practice from St Petersburg on Sky Sports F1, UFC Fight Night from Mexico at 11pm on TNT Sports 1.
Tonight's TV Listings: Full Schedule
| Time | Channel | Programme |
|---|---|---|
| 5:00pm | ITV1 | The Chase Celebrity Special |
| 5:15pm | BBC Two | Rugby League: Super League -- Warrington v Wakefield |
| 5:45pm | BBC One | Gladiators (quarter-finals) |
| 6:00pm | ITV1 | Wheel of Fortune (Graham Norton) |
| 6:15pm | Channel 4 | Fukushima: Days That Shocked the World (double bill) |
| 6:45pm | BBC One | Michael McIntyre's Big Show (6/6, Jade Thirlwall) |
| 6:55pm | Channel 5 | Beatrice and Eugenie: Caught in the Crossfire |
| 7:00pm | ITV1 | Britain's Got Talent (new, Blackpool auditions) |
| 7:45pm | BBC One | The Weakest Link: Comedians Special |
| 8:00pm | Sky Cinema | Jurassic World: Rebirth (2025) |
| 8:15pm | Channel 4 | Roman Empire by Train with Alice Roberts (Parma & Turin) |
| 8:15pm | ITV1 | The BRIT Awards 2026 (live from Manchester) |
| 8:15pm | Channel 5 | Lip-Reading the Royals (new) |
| 8:30pm | BBC One | Casualty (7/12) |
| 8:30pm | BBC Two | Classic Hits in the Piano Room |
| 9:00pm | Sky Max | The Beekeeper (2024, Jason Statham) |
| 9:00pm | National Geographic | Sneaker Wars: Adidas v Puma (new series) |
| 9:15pm | Channel 4 | Bill Bailey's Vietnam (new series) |
| 9:15pm | Channel 5 | The Middletons: Should They Be Working Royals? (new) |
| 9:20pm | BBC One | The Walsh Sisters (2/6) |
| 9:20pm | BBC Four | The Turkish Detective (double bill, Ep 3 & 4) |
| 10:00pm | BBC Two | Covers in the Piano Room at the BBC |
| 10:15pm | Channel 4 | Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011) |
| 10:15pm | Sky Atlantic | Under Salt Marsh (new, Sky exclusive) |
| 10:30pm | BBC One | Match of the Day (Leeds v Man City, Liverpool v West Ham) |
| 11:00pm | Sky Max | The Dyers' Caravan Park (new, Sky exclusive) |
| 11:05pm | ITV1 | It'll Be Alright on the Night (Tom Allen) |
| 11:30pm | BBC Two | Mark Ronson: This Cultural Life |
| 11:50pm | BBC One | Leah Williamson: The Football Interview |
Freeview TV Guide: What's On Streaming
Can't watch live? Use our now and next guide to see what's showing right now, or browse the full channels list for every available station.
BBC iPlayer: The Walsh Sisters, Casualty, Gladiators, Michael McIntyre's Big Show, The Weakest Link, Match of the Day, Classic Hits in the Piano Room, Covers in the Piano Room at the BBC, The Turkish Detective, Rugby League highlights, Mark Ronson: This Cultural Life ITVX: The BRIT Awards 2026, Britain's Got Talent, Wheel of Fortune, The Chase Celebrity Special, It'll Be Alright on the Night Channel 4 streaming: Bill Bailey's Vietnam, Roman Empire by Train with Alice Roberts, Fukushima: Days That Shocked the World, Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol Sky Go / NOW: Under Salt Marsh, The Beekeeper, Jurassic World: Rebirth, The Dyers' Caravan Park, Sneaker Wars: Adidas v Puma
Frequently Asked Questions
What time are the BRIT Awards on TV tonight?
The BRIT Awards 2026 are on ITV1 at 8.15pm tonight (Saturday 28th February 2026). Jack Whitehall hosts live from Manchester -- the first time the ceremony has been held outside London in its 49-year history. Nominees include Sam Fender, Olivia Dean, Bad Bunny, Sabrina Carpenter and Tame Impala.
What's the best thing to watch on TV tonight?
Our top pick is The BRIT Awards 2026 on ITV1 at 8.15pm -- a genuinely historic edition live from Manchester. For something calmer, Bill Bailey's Vietnam on Channel 4 at 9.15pm is a warm and charming new travel series, and Classic Hits in the Piano Room on BBC Two at 8.30pm is unmissable for music fans.
Is EastEnders on tonight?
No, EastEnders does not air on Saturdays. The next episode is on Monday. You can catch up on recent episodes via BBC iPlayer.
What's on BBC One tonight?
BBC One's Saturday highlights include Gladiators at 5.45pm, Michael McIntyre's Big Show at 6.45pm, The Weakest Link Comedians Special at 7.45pm, Casualty at 8.30pm, The Walsh Sisters at 9.20pm, and Match of the Day at 10.30pm.
What time is Match of the Day on tonight?
Match of the Day is on BBC One at 10.30pm tonight. Gabby Logan presents highlights including Leeds v Manchester City and Liverpool v West Ham.
What time is Bill Bailey's Vietnam on TV?
Bill Bailey's Vietnam starts on Channel 4 at 9.15pm tonight (Saturday 28th February 2026). It's the first episode of a new series following the comedian through Vietnam, beginning in Hoi An.
TV Guide UK: Final Verdict
The BRIT Awards 2026 on ITV1 at 8.15pm is tonight's must-watch -- a landmark edition that finally takes the ceremony out of London and up to Manchester. With Jack Whitehall hosting and a nominee list spanning Sam Fender to Sabrina Carpenter, this feels like a Brits with genuine stakes and energy.
Beyond the main event, Saturday's TV guide has depth everywhere you look. Bill Bailey's Vietnam on Channel 4 at 9.15pm launches with real charm and warmth, Classic Hits in the Piano Room on BBC Two at 8.30pm will genuinely move you, and The Walsh Sisters on BBC One at 9.20pm continues to impress with its sharp blend of family chaos and emotional honesty. Casualty delivers solid drama at 8.30pm, the sport runs from afternoon through to midnight (Super League from Las Vegas, anyone?), and Match of the Day at 10.30pm rounds off the football. Music fans who stay up late should catch Mark Ronson: This Cultural Life on BBC Two at 11.30pm -- a fitting companion piece to the Brits. Check our tonight's highlights page for a quick look at what else is on TV tonight across every channel.