What to watch on TV this week: Wednesday 15 to Friday 22 July

Whether you're after sun-soaked drama, feel-good entertainment, fascinating documentaries or gripping true crime, there's no shortage of great telly to enjoy this week.

From Sky’s The Five-Star Weekend to Celebrity Gogglebox, The Secret Life of the Hermit Crab and Inside the Operating Theatre, this week's TV line-up has a bit of everything: clever docs, cosy favourites, curious creatures and plenty of good excuses to stay on the sofa.

We've also picked out the biggest sporting events and top films showing over the next 10 days, so whatever you're into, there's something worth adding to your watchlist.

Bear in mind that programme broadcast times may change depending on World Cup matches on BBC One and ITV1, so please check up-to-date schedules. And don’t forget, with Virgin TV Go, you can take your TV with you wherever you go. 

There's so much great television on this week that we've rounded up the very best shows to watch. Bookmark this page and check back regularly for the latest updates. Happy watching!

Pick of the day: Bill Bailey's Master Crafters: The Next Generation
9pm, Sky Arts HD (CH 123)

Bill Bailey turns his attention to Britain's talented craftspeople as he celebrates traditional skills and the next generation of makers. With his trademark warmth and wit, he guides viewers through a world of creativity, ingenuity and craftsmanship, shining a light on the people keeping specialist skills alive. It's an uplifting and entertaining showcase of the passion and artistry behind some remarkable work.

What else to watch

• DH Lawrence: Sex, Exile and Greatness - 8pm, Sky Arts HD (CH 123)

• Sister Boniface Mysteries - 8pm, U&Drama HD (CH 116)

• Body Cam - 9pm, Investigation Discovery (CH 166)

• Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing - 7pm, U&Dave HD (CH 127)

Pick of the day: The Five Star Weekend
9pm, Sky Atlantic HD (CH 111)

Based on Elin Hilderbrand's bestselling novel, this glossy new drama follows a successful lifestyle influencer whose carefully curated world begins to unravel after a personal tragedy. Hoping to reconnect with herself, she invites four friends from different stages of her life to spend a weekend together at her picturesque Nantucket home. But as old memories resurface and long-buried secrets come to light, tensions begin to simmer beneath the surface of the idyllic getaway.

What else to watch

• Murder Case: The Digital Detectives - 9pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

• Discovering: Ian McKellen - 8pm, Sky Arts HD (CH 123)

• Property Brothers: Under Pressure - 8pm, U&W HD (CH 125)

• To End All War: Oppenheimer and the Atomic Bomb - 10pm, U&Yesterday HD (CH 129)

Pick of the day: Celebrity Gogglebox
9pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

A host of famous faces settle in for another evening of television and unfiltered commentary, sharing their thoughts on everything from the week's biggest talking points to the latest must-see shows. As ever, it's the reactions that steal the show, with plenty of witty observations, playful banter and the occasional unexpected hot take.

What else to watch

• Pete Wicks: For Dogs' Sake - 8pm, U&W HD (CH 125)

• Surgery Secrets of the Super Rich - 8pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

• The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox - 9pm, ITV1 HD/STV HD (CH 103)

• Blur: To the End - 11.45pm, Sky Arts HD (CH 123)

The Secret Life of the Hermit Crab
6pm, Sky Mix HD (CH 156)

Nature takes centre stage in this fascinating documentary exploring one of the ocean's most intriguing little creatures. Expect beautiful photography, surprising behaviour and plenty of fascinating facts as the programme delves into the hermit crab's unusual way of life. It's a charming and family-friendly watch that offers something a little different for a Saturday evening.

What else to watch

• The Brokenwood Mysteries - 7pm, U&Drama HD (CH 116)

• Doctor Who - 7pm, BBC Three HD (CH 107)

• Classic Albums: Meat Loaf - Bat Out of Hell - 8pm, Sky Arts HD (CH 123)

• Not Going Out - 8.30pm, BBC Three HD (CH 107)

Pick of the day: Inside the Operating Theatre
8pm, U&W HD (CH 125)

Go inside a busy hospital as surgeons, nurses and theatre teams perform life-changing operations. With remarkable access and compelling real-life stories, this absorbing documentary offers a close-up look at the pressure, precision and teamwork involved in modern healthcare. It's a powerful and often moving watch that reveals the human stories behind the procedures.

What else to watch

• Special Ops: Crime Squad UK - 8pm, U&Dave HD (CH 127)

• Border Force: America's Gatekeepers - 7pm, U&Dave HD (CH 127)

• Mammals - 6pm, U&Yesterday HD (CH 129)

• FYI Daily - 6.10pm, ITV2 HD (CH 115)

Pick of the day: There's a Gangster In My Flat - Panorama
8pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

Panorama investigates the growing problem of organised crime operating from ordinary homes, speaking to those affected and examining the challenges facing police and local communities. Expect another hard-hitting investigation from the BBC's flagship current affairs series.

What else to watch

• Global Eye - 7pm, BBC Two HD (CH 102)

• House of the Dragon 9pm, Sky Atlantic HD (CH 111)

• Dover 24/7: Britain's Busiest Port - 8pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

• 1066: A Year to Conquer England - 8pm, U&Yesterday HD (CH 129)

• Bill Bailey's Vietnam - 9pm, More4 HD (CH 147)

Pick of the day: The Undeclared War
9pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

Returning for a brand-new series, The Undeclared War raises the stakes once again as a conflict fought behind computer screens threatens to have devastating real-world consequences. Set in 2024, the gripping cyber thriller follows intelligence analysts, hackers and government officials as they race to counter increasingly sophisticated cyber attacks and uncover dangerous conspiracies.

What else to watch

• Murder 24/7 – 9pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

• Prison Wives of TikTok - 9pm, U&W HD (CH 125)

• 2000 Meters to Andriivka - 10.10pm, Sky Documentaries HD (CH 121)

Pick of the day: Murder 24/7
9pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

Murder 24/7 is back for a second season, taking viewers inside real investigations as detectives work to solve serious crimes from the first emergency call through to the final breakthrough. With exclusive access to police teams on the frontline, the series reveals the pressure, challenges and determination involved in bringing complex cases to a conclusion. This episode continues from Episode 1, airing on 9pm on Tuesday 21 July on BBC One HD.

What else to watch

• Our Lives: Heavy Horses - 7pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

• Top Gear - 8pm, BBC Three HD (CH 107)

• Sister Boniface Mysteries - 8pm, U&Drama HD (CH 116)

Pick of the day: Murder Case: The Digital Detectives
9pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

Modern criminal investigations increasingly rely on digital evidence, from mobile phones and CCTV to online activity and forensic technology. This compelling documentary follows the specialists who help piece together complex cases, revealing how tiny digital clues can make all the difference in the search for justice.

What else to watch

• George Clarke's Remarkable Renovations - 8pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

• The Five Star Weekend - 9.45pm, Sky Atlantic HD (CH 111)

• Have I Got a Bit More News for You - 10pm, U&Dave HD (CH 127)

• The Showjumper Murder - 10pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

Pick of the day: Ludwig
9.30pm, BBC Three HD (CH 107)

One of the year's standout comedy-dramas continues as David Mitchell stars as the brilliantly unconventional puzzle setter drawn ever deeper into a world of murder investigations. Blending clever mysteries with sharp humour and an engaging central performance, it's an easy recommendation for anyone who enjoys an inventive crime drama with plenty of heart.

What else to watch

• Father Brown - 9pm, U&Drama HD (CH 116)

• Station Eleven - 9pm, Sky Atlantic HD (CH 111)

• Celebrity Gogglebox - 9pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

• New Tricks - 10pm, U&Drama HD (CH 116)

Live: FIFA World Cup 2026 Final
Sunday 19 July, 8pm, ITV1 HD/STV HD (CH 103)

The biggest night in world football arrives as the 2026 FIFA World Cup reaches its climax. Two teams will go head-to-head for the sport's ultimate prize, with 90 minutes or more of pressure, drama and tension deciding who lifts the trophy. Whether it’s Spain, England or Argentina that make the final cut, expect world-class football, goals and football history in the making.

Also worth watching

• Live: FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi-final - England v Argentina - Wednesday 15 July, 7pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

• ICC Women's T20 World Cup Final - England v Australia - Thursday 16 July, 8.30pm, Sky Sports Mix HD (CH 511)

• Live: Women's T20 Blast Final - Friday 17 July, 6.30pm, Sky Sports Cricket HD (CH 505)

• Live: FIFA World Cup 2026 Third Place Play-off - Saturday 18 July, 9.30pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

What else to watch:

Looking for more sport this week? We can help with that.

• All the best live sport you can watch on TV this week

• Got a Sky Sports subscription? Check out our monthly guide

• If you’ve got TNT Sports, your monthly guide is here

Pick of the week: Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning
Saturday 18 July, 9pm, Film4 HD (CH 428)

Tom Cruise delivers another adrenaline-fuelled adventure in one of the biggest action blockbusters of recent years. Packed with globe-trotting thrills, jaw-dropping set pieces and the kind of practical stunt work that has become a hallmark of the franchise, Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning is exactly the sort of event movie that deserves a prime-time slot. If you're looking for a big Sunday-night spectacle with action, suspense and blockbuster scale, this is the film to watch.

Movie shortlist

• Le Mans '66 - Thursday 16 July, 6pm, Film4 HD (CH 428)

• Plane - Thursday 16 July, 9pm, Film4 HD (CH 428)

• No Hard Feelings - Tuesday 21 July, 9pm, Film4 HD (CH 428)

• Nobody - Wednesday 22 July, 9pm, Film4 HD (CH 428)

What else to watch:

Looking for more movies this week? We can help with that.

• Our monthly Sky Cinema guide featuring the best movies this month

• Looking for something on Netflix? Try our monthly guide to new releases

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