A Friday loaded with sport and wildlife, then. The FA Cup fifth round takes centre stage on BBC One as Wolves host Liverpool at Molineux from 7:45pm — free-to-air cup football on a Friday night. Over on Channel 4 from 6:30pm, the Winter Paralympics Opening Ceremony kicks off nine days of competition from Verona, with Billy Monger, Ed Jackson and Ade Adepitan anchoring the coverage. Big Cats 24/7 continues on BBC Two at 9pm with rogue males and desperate mothers on the Okavango Delta. Ireland take on Wales in the Six Nations on ITV1 from 7:20pm. And if music’s more your thing, Simon and Garfunkel Night on BBC Four from 9pm opens with that legendary 1981 Central Park concert. No EastEnders tonight — it doesn’t air on Fridays. Plenty else to keep you occupied.
Quick Picks: Tonight’s Best
- Big Cats 24/7 — BBC Two, 9pm — Rogue males invade Xudum territory; cheetah mother Pobe makes a stunning kill
- FA Cup: Wolves v Liverpool — BBC One, 7:45pm (k/o 8pm) — Fifth-round tie live on terrestrial television
- Winter Paralympics: Opening Ceremony — Channel 4, 6:30pm — “Life in Motion” from the Verona Arena
- Simon and Garfunkel Night — BBC Four, 9pm — The 1981 Central Park concert plus Bridge over Troubled Water documentary
- Hippo Watch with Steve Backshall — Channel 5, 8pm — Part two: can humans and hippos coexist?
- Rugby: Ireland v Wales — ITV1, 7:20pm (k/o 8:10pm) — Six Nations fourth round from Dublin
Early Evening
Winter Paralympics: Opening Ceremony — Channel 4, 6:30pm
The big event of the evening, in many respects. The 2026 Winter Paralympics begin at the Verona Arena — yes, that Verona, Romeo and Juliet’s town — with a ceremony themed “Life in Motion”. Visually impaired skiers guided down mountains via Bluetooth, teams engaged in the regulated ultraviolence of sledge hockey — it’s all ahead over the next nine days. ParalympicsGB are relative minnows compared to their summer heroics, but medals aren’t out of the question: keep an eye on Jo Butterfield in wheelchair curling, Scott Meenagh bowing out of cross-country skiing at his third Games, and Neil Simpson (GB’s only gold medallist in Beijing 2022) in the super-G. Coverage anchored by Billy Monger, Ed Jackson and Ade Adepitan. Catch up via Channel 4 streaming.
500 Words with the One Show — BBC One, 7pm
A special edition broadcast from Windsor Castle, where Queen Camilla joins Alex Jones to oversee the final of the children’s writing competition. If you’ve ever wanted to see a royal look genuinely delighted by a ten-year-old’s story about a dog who solves crimes, this is your moment.
Happy Valley — U&Drama, 7:30pm
Series one of Sally Wainwright’s superb drama gets a welcome rerun. Sarah Lancashire’s Sergeant Catherine Cawood remains one of the great British television characters — a woman who tackles everything from neighbourhood policing to the return of the man who destroyed her family with the same matter-of-fact Yorkshire grit. If you missed it first time round, don’t make that mistake twice.
Prime Time
Rugby: Men’s Six Nations — Ireland v Wales — ITV1, 7:20pm (k/o 8:10pm)
Fourth-round action from Dublin as Ireland host Wales. The Aviva Stadium will be rocking and, given recent form, the home side will be heavy favourites. Wales, though, have a habit of producing performances from nowhere in Dublin, and the Six Nations always has room for an upset. Coverage from 7:20pm, kick-off at 8:10pm.
Football: FA Cup — Wolves v Liverpool — BBC One, 7:45pm (k/o 8pm)
Free-to-air cup football on a Friday night — a proper treat. Wolves host Liverpool at Molineux in the FA Cup fifth round, and while the Reds will arrive as strong favourites, the cup has a long history of producing shocks under the floodlights. Coverage from 7:45pm on BBC One with kick-off at 8pm.
Hippo Watch with Steve Backshall — Channel 5, 8pm
The concluding part. Having established last week that hippos are terrifyingly aggressive, Steve Backshall now turns to the more hopeful question: can humans actually live alongside them? The answer, it turns out, is complicated. Their importance to river ecosystems is left in no doubt — from excrement to eating habits to movement, the ecosystem around them simply wouldn’t exist without them. As poaching and urban sprawl increase, the question is whether any of that matters enough to shift behaviour. Backshall’s enthusiasm holds up, whether he’s viewing hippos from halfway up a tree or swimming alongside them. The man’s either incredibly brave or slightly unhinged. Possibly both. Catch up via Channel 5 streaming.
Big Cats 24/7 — BBC Two, 9pm ⭐
The one to watch tonight. Lots of developments down at the Okavango Delta this week, and none of them are boring. The Xudum pride of lions faces a crisis — a gang of four rogue males has swaggered onto their territory and staked a claim. The mothers know exactly what this means. Intruding males will kill any cubs that aren’t theirs, so the lionesses do the only sensible thing and run. But where are the big Xudum males who should be protecting them? The film-makers are baffled, and the answer, when it arrives, tells you something surprising about what those males actually care about.
Meanwhile, Pobe the cheetah mother makes a brilliant high-speed kill — captured in slow-motion that shows just how astonishing these animals are at full stretch. Between the lion pride politics and the cheetah hunting, there’s enough drama here to keep you glued for the full hour. The full series is available on iPlayer.
Mary Celeste: Solving the Mystery — Channel 5, 9pm
A riddle to rank alongside the Loch Ness Monster and Bigfoot. The fate of the Mary Celeste, found drifting and abandoned off the Azores in 1872, has been part of maritime folklore ever since. The ship’s log indicated it had been empty for over a week, its cargo some 1,701 barrels of industrial alcohol bound for Genoa. Was it mutiny or insurance fraud, a broken bilge pump or an elaborate fiction? Each theory gets its moment in front of the experts, and the programme builds towards an experiment that offers a genuinely persuasive argument about why the crew might have bailed out in such apparent panic. A decent Friday night mystery. Catch up via Channel 5 streaming.
Simon and Garfunkel Night — BBC Four, from 9pm
A tribute to the duo that opens with their legendary free concert at New York’s Central Park in September 1981. That gig drew one of the largest audiences ever assembled for a single live performance — Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel had split up in 1970, so the old frenemies had to put eleven years of disagreements aside to get on stage together. The harmonies, though. Whatever their personal feelings, those harmonies could stop traffic. Followed by Simon & Garfunkel: the Harmony Game, a 2021 documentary in which they discuss the making of Bridge over Troubled Water. Catch up via iPlayer.
Gogglebox — Channel 4, 9pm
The armchair critics return to share their opinions on the week’s television. Given the week’s schedule, expect strong views on Big Cats and the rugby.
Astrid: Murder in Paris — More4, 9pm
Most murders in this series are a little odd, but this time it’s the victim that’s truly unusual — a valuable steeplechase horse that was the favourite to win a prestigious race. While Raphaelle and Astrid investigate, a human being also gets killed, shot in the head, but with no trace of a bullet or gunpowder. For Astrid, the case brings back terrifying childhood memories of being around horses. Sylvie Filloux’s portrayal of the young Astrid in flashback beautifully replicates her every tic and mannerism. Catch up via Channel 4 streaming.
Late Night
Ted — Sky One, 9pm & 9:45pm
Seth MacFarlane’s lovable (sort of) talking bear is back for a second season, causing fresh mayhem in 90s Boston. The prequel to the movie comedies sees foul-mouthed Ted (voiced by MacFarlane) offering companionship and questionable advice to John (Max Burkholder), whose senior year at high school is so barren, romantically speaking, that he spends most of his spare time smoking weed with a stuffed animal. Tonight’s opening double bill includes ringing an adult chatline and arranging an illicit rendezvous between Ted and a housewife. Not quite as crude as it sounds — there’s a big heart beneath the bawdy exterior. Catch up via Now.
The End We Start From — BBC Two, 11pm
Jodie Comer has only been in six feature films to date, which feels like an oversight given how good she is in everything. This 2023 film gives Comer a typically layered leading role; the Killing Eve star, who plays a young woman forced out of her London home by near-biblical flooding straight after giving birth. Director Mahalia Belo ensures the character’s ensuing trek for survival — baby in tow — remains grounded, with great low-budget flourishes that help create a convincing vision of a precarious alternate UK. “I never joined this film with any sort of agenda,” Comer said while promoting it, connecting with the screenplay’s human element and the “everyday hero” forced to push on and survive. It’s quiet rather than bombastic, and all the better for it. Catch up via BBC iPlayer.
Strike on Iran: the Nuclear Question — PBS America, 9:50pm
Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities were declared “totally obliterated” by President Trump after US/Israel bombing raids in June 2025. The aftermath, as ever, is more complex. Cameras follow journalist Sebastian Walker as, shadowed by minders, he visits Iran, speaks to high-level officials and relatives of killed nuclear scientists, and tours strike sites. When Iranian politician Ali Larijani says “Iran’s nuclear programme can never be destroyed”, it’s hard to feel optimistic about the future. Sobering late-night viewing. Catch up via Freeview Play.
Sport
Football: FA Cup — Wolverhampton Wanderers v Liverpool in the fifth round, live on BBC One from 7:45pm (kick-off 8pm).
Rugby: Men’s Six Nations — Ireland v Wales from Dublin on ITV1 from 7:20pm (kick-off 8:10pm).
Winter Paralympics: Opening Ceremony — From the Verona Arena on Channel 4 from 6:30pm. Nine days of competition ahead.
Tennis: Indian Wells — The BNP Paribas Open continues from Indian Wells, California. Check Sky Sports Tennis for scheduling.
The Viewing Schedule
| Time | Channel | Programme |
|---|---|---|
| 2:00pm | BBC One | Father Brown |
| 6:30pm | Channel 4 | Winter Paralympics: Opening Ceremony |
| 7:00pm | BBC One | 500 Words with the One Show |
| 7:20pm | ITV1 | Rugby: Six Nations — Ireland v Wales (k/o 8:10pm) |
| 7:30pm | U&Drama | Happy Valley (Series 1 rerun) |
| 7:45pm | BBC One | FA Cup: Wolves v Liverpool (k/o 8pm) |
| 8:00pm | Channel 5 | Hippo Watch with Steve Backshall |
| 9:00pm | BBC Two | Big Cats 24/7 |
| 9:00pm | Channel 5 | Mary Celeste: Solving the Mystery |
| 9:00pm | BBC Four | Simon and Garfunkel Night |
| 9:00pm | Channel 4 | Gogglebox |
| 9:00pm | More4 | Astrid: Murder in Paris |
| 9:00pm | Sky One | Ted (Double Bill) |
| 9:50pm | PBS America | Strike on Iran: the Nuclear Question |
| 11:00pm | BBC Two | The End We Start From (Film, 2023) |
What’s On Streaming
BBC iPlayer: Big Cats 24/7 (full series), FA Cup highlights, 500 Words with the One Show, Simon and Garfunkel Night, Father Brown (full series), The End We Start From
ITVX: Six Nations highlights
Channel 4 streaming: Winter Paralympics Opening Ceremony, Gogglebox, Astrid: Murder in Paris
Channel 5 streaming/My5: Hippo Watch with Steve Backshall, Mary Celeste: Solving the Mystery
Now: Ted (full series)
Freeview Play: Strike on Iran: the Nuclear Question
Frequently Asked Questions
What time is the FA Cup on BBC One tonight?
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Liverpool in the FA Cup fifth round is live on BBC One tonight (Friday 6th March 2026). Coverage starts at 7:45pm with kick-off at 8pm from Molineux.
What time is Big Cats 24/7 on BBC Two tonight?
Big Cats 24/7 is on BBC Two at 9pm tonight (Friday 6th March 2026). This week a gang of four rogue male lions invades the Xudum pride’s territory, and Pobe the cheetah mother makes a spectacular high-speed kill. The full series is available on BBC iPlayer.
What time does the Winter Paralympics Opening Ceremony start?
The Winter Paralympics Opening Ceremony is on Channel 4 at 6:30pm tonight (Friday 6th March 2026). The ceremony takes place at the Verona Arena with the theme “Life in Motion”. Coverage is anchored by Billy Monger, Ed Jackson and Ade Adepitan.
Is EastEnders on TV tonight?
No, EastEnders is not on tonight. EastEnders does not air on Fridays — it broadcasts Monday to Thursday on BBC One. You can catch up on any episodes you’ve missed via BBC iPlayer.
What’s the best thing to watch on TV tonight?
Our top picks for Friday 6th March 2026 are Big Cats 24/7 on BBC Two at 9pm — rogue males threaten the Xudum lion pride in genuinely gripping fashion. FA Cup football has Wolves v Liverpool live on BBC One from 7:45pm. The Winter Paralympics Opening Ceremony is on Channel 4 from 6:30pm. Simon and Garfunkel Night on BBC Four from 9pm opens with the legendary 1981 Central Park concert. Ireland v Wales in the Six Nations is on ITV1 from 7:20pm.
What’s on BBC One tonight?
BBC One tonight (Friday 6th March 2026) includes Father Brown at 2pm, 500 Words with the One Show from Windsor Castle at 7pm, and the FA Cup fifth round as Wolves host Liverpool from 7:45pm with kick-off at 8pm. The cup football dominates the evening schedule.
What time is the Six Nations on ITV tonight?
Ireland v Wales in the Men’s Six Nations is on ITV1 tonight (Friday 6th March 2026). Coverage starts at 7:20pm with kick-off at 8:10pm from Dublin. It’s a fourth-round match.
Final Verdict
Big Cats 24/7 on BBC Two at 9pm is the one to watch tonight. The arrival of four rogue males on Xudum territory transforms this week’s episode — the lionesses’ decision to flee with their cubs rather than risk confrontation works as drama, and the mystery of where the pride’s own males have gone has a proper payoff. Pobe the cheetah’s high-speed kill is captured in brilliant slow-motion.
The sport is wall-to-wall. Wolves v Liverpool in the FA Cup fifth round on BBC One from 7:45pm is the pick for football fans — free-to-air cup football under the Molineux floodlights. Ireland v Wales in the Six Nations on ITV1 from 7:20pm promises a packed Aviva Stadium. And the Winter Paralympics Opening Ceremony on Channel 4 from 6:30pm launches nine days of competition from Verona.
For something different, Simon and Garfunkel Night on BBC Four from 9pm is worth an hour of anyone’s time. The 1981 Central Park concert — two men who could barely tolerate each other producing harmonies that silenced half a million people — holds up. The follow-up documentary about Bridge over Troubled Water adds welcome depth.
Hippo Watch on Channel 5 at 8pm wraps up with Steve Backshall making a compelling case for hippo conservation, and Mary Celeste: Solving the Mystery on Channel 5 at 9pm is a solid maritime whodunnit. The End We Start From on BBC Two at 11pm is worth staying up for if you’re a Jodie Comer fan — a quiet, convincing apocalypse more interested in people than plot.
Late-night, Ted season two launches on Sky One at 9pm with a typically bawdy double bill, and Strike on Iran on PBS America at 9:50pm is sobering stuff.
Related: What’s On TV Tonight Friday | What’s On TV Tonight Thurs 5 Mar 2026 | What’s On TV Tonight Sat 7 Mar 2026
