A wealth of Christmas spirit to hit UK airwaves this year.

Strong line-up of yuletide programming scheduled

RADIO ONE IS TO AIR ONE OF ITS STRONGEST Christmas schedules in years this December, as it looks to compete with the return to our screens of Top Of the Pops.

The station's head of programmes Ben Cooper says that Radio One now has to compete with TV and other media in the battle for young people's time over the festive season and is ramping up its programming accordingly.

"This is one of the best Christmas schedules we've had in many years," he explains. "We will be looking back on 2008 and reflecting on the best live music - with live performances from The Killers, Jay-Z and Metallica - while also getting excited about the New Year and new bands.

"Radio One is now at a stage where we're not competing with other radio stations but with TV and with other things that young people do with their time.

"For me, this Christmas our listeners will fall into two categories: those traveling in the car visiting aunts and uncles and those who need to escape from the madness at home, listening to their favourite radio station in their room on their own."

The Radio One festive schedule includes the Alternative Christmas Party live from Maida Vale on December 22, with performances from bands including Glasvegas, Friendly Fires and Golden Silvers, Huw Stephens' Weird And Wonderful Christmas in the early hours of Christmas morning, and Rob da Bank, Gilles Peterson and Scott Mills presenting on Christmas day itself.