Channel 4's decision to broadcast an Alternative Christmas Message by Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has angered human rights campaigners and Israelis.
The speech by the hardline leader - whose anti-Western rhetoric and views on Israel and homosexuality have strained relations between Iran and the international community - is not scheduled at the same time as the Queen's Speech on BBC and ITV as in previous years but will be shown at 7.15pm.
Mr Ahmadinejad uses the message to express his wish for a peaceful New Year and greater spirituality among governments, leaders and society as a whole.
Speaking in Farsi with English subtitles he will say: "Jesus, the Son of Mary, is the standard bearer of justice, of love for our fellow human beings, of the fight against tyranny, discrimination and injustice.
"If Christ were on earth today, undoubtedly He would hoist the banner of justice and love for humanity to oppose warmongers, occupiers, terrorists and bullies the world over."
But Israel's ambassador to Britain, Ron Prosor said: "In Iran, converts to Christianity face the death penalty. It is perverse that this despot is allowed to speculate on the views of Jesus, while his government leads Christ's followers to the gallows."
He said the British broadcaster's decision to broadcast the message was a "scandal and a national embarrassment" and in "its search for ratings and shock factor, Channel 4 has lost its ethical way".
Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell called on the broadcaster to "pull the plug on this criminal despot, who ranks with Robert Mugabe, Omar al-Bashir of Sudan and the Burmese military junta as one of the world's most bloody tyrants".
Channel 4 head of news and current affairs Dorothy Byrne said: "As the leader of one of the most powerful states in the Middle East, president Ahmadinejad's views are enormously influential.
"As we approach a critical time in international relations, we are offering our viewers an insight into an alternative world view."
PA