HD Heads-Up: January 24-30

January 15, 2026 0 Comments

➢➢ “In the market for a hilariously cheesy costume drama aimed at Americans, featuring a hero who sports a George Michael, Careless Whisper-inspired blow-dry in 1877?” That was The Telegraph’s take on The Forsytes (TVNZ 1, 8.45 Saturday), which ITV was confident enough about to renew even before the first of eight episodes screened in the UK. Other critics also were unimpressed by TV’s second adaptation of the John Galsworthy saga, nearly 60 years after the first: “as subtle as a migraine” (The i); “a shamelessly Mills & Boon reimagining” (Daily Mail). But The Times thought it had promise as a “lush costume drama” …

➢➢ Returning for new seasons are Piglets S2 (TVNZ 1, 9.35 Monday) and HMP Broadmoor: Behind Bars (TVNZ 2, 9.30 Monday) while Alan Carr’s Epic Gameshow (TVNZ 1, 10.00 Thursday) presents an all-star special of Bullseye, featuring celebrities David Seaman, Angela Griffin and Chris Kamara …

➢➢ Also new is The Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2025 (TVNZ 8.35 Wednesday) with Jonathan Ross, Richard Ayoade, Katherine Ryan, Nick Mohammed, Roisin Conaty and Lou Sanders answering questions about Katy Perry, Lily Allen and THAT Coldplay concert …

➢➢ Inside the Pet Food Factory (8.30 Thursday) reveals what it takes to produce over one million pet food pouches every day. Critics bared their claws when it screened six years ago in the UK: “a pointless dog’s-dinner of a show” (Telegraph); “catty in all the wrong ways … an ad-friendly slog that lacks any substance” (Guardian) …

➢➢ Also coming to Sky Open is reality newcomer Dover 24/7: Britain’s Busiest Port (7.30 Thursday): “a meat-and-two-veg slice of British television, comfortable and familiar and sturdy” (Guardian) …

➢➢ Georgia Harrison: Porn, Power, Profit (TVNZ 1, 11.55 Sunday) is a two-part series about deepfakes and image-based sexual abuse presented by the Love Island/The Only Way is Essex personality who continues to “really struggle” with how a sexually explicit video of her remains online. …

➢➢ Guesting on Friday’s Graham Norton Show (TVNZ 2, 7.30) are Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, Claire Foy and singer-rap artist Tinie Tempah performing Energy. …

➢➢ Ending their runs are:

Attenborough’s Parenthood
I Escaped a Murderer
Location Location Location
Farmer Wants a Wife
Motorway: Hell on the Highway …

➢➢ Live/delayed free-to-air sport includes:

Australian Open (Sky Open, 9.30 Saturday, 9.00 Sunday)
Premiere League: Goal Rush — Manchester City v Wolverhampton Wanderers (Sky Open, 10am Sunday)
A-League Women: Wellington Phoenix v Adelaide United (Sky Open, 4.00 Sunday)
NFL Playoffs (TVNZ 2, 8.55am/12.25 Monday)
A-League Men: Wellington Phoenix v Melbourne City (Sky Open, 9.30 Friday) …

➢➢ And here’s the Super Smash cricket schedule on Duke:

Saturday Central Hinds v Otago Sparks 2.00, Central Stags v Otago Volts 5.45
Sunday Canterbury Magicians v Northern Brave 12.30,Canterbury Kings v Northern Brave 4.15
Monday Auckland Hearts v Central Hinds 12.30, Auckland Aces v Central Stags 4.15
Friday Women’s Elimination Final 2.00, Men’s Elimination Final 5.45 …

➢➢ HD coming attractions include: