Royal wedding countdown

There's no escaping the juggernaut that is the Royal Wedding this week. The wedding ceremony on Friday night NZ-time is expected to break all previous viewing records to become the most watched programme in television history.

It is estimated that as many as 2 billion viewers will tune in to watch Prince William and Catherine (aka Kate) Middleton exchange vows at Westminster Abbey.

Here's a countdown to the big day as it unfolds across various channels.

TUESDAY, APRIL 26-28

Breakfast TV One, 7am: Petra Bagust reports live daily from London.

Kate & William: A Modern Royal Romance Living (digital 008), 8pm: ITV documentary which tells the story of the couple's romance so far. Experts will also examine Kate Middleton's future life in The Firm - and the media spotlight.

WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY, APRIL 27-28

Royally Mad UKTV, 7pm: Five of America's most enthusiastic Royal fanatics embark on the trip of a lifetime to London as they get the chance to indulge in everything Royal wedding-themed.

Kate & Wills: A Royal Love Story Vibe, 9.30pm: Repeat screening in which commentators note the ups and downs of the couple's relationship.

FRIDAY APRIL 29

Breakfast TV One, 6.30am: Petra Bagust, in London, continues to co-host and report on the big day.

Good Morning TV One, 9am: Sarah Bradley, Brendon Pongia and the team go all out with Royal Wedding-inspired food, drinks, decorations and dresses.

One Special: A Royal Wedding TV One, 6pm: Coverage begins for the channel by showing preparations across Britain, with reports from Wendy Petrie, and Close Up's Mark Sainsbury.

TV3 Royal Wedding Coverage: 3 News TV3, 6pm: Hilary Barry reports live from London.

Campbell Live TV3, 7pm: The London-based team will be keeping host John Campbell apprised on developments.

One Special: Royal Wedding TV One, 7.30pm: Wendy Petrie hosts live coverage from inside Westminster Abbey.

Royal Wedding Special TV3, 7.30pm: John Campbell and guests discuss the lead-up to the ceremony and cross to London for live updates.

Royal Wedding/A Royal Wedding UKTV (digital 006) and CNN (digital 091), 7pm: Live BBC coverage runs until 12.30am on UKTV, and CNN boasts a seven-hour live broadcast hosted by Piers Morgan, Anderson Cooper and Richard Quest.

Royal Wedding Of A Lifetime Prime, 7.30pm: Debut of a six-part doco about the loooong courtship of the happy couple, and which will encompass everything from her wedding gown design to their future lives together.

One Special: A Royal Wedding TV One, 10pm: Official BBC coverage kicks in, as the wedding service, conducted by the Dean of Westminster, The Very Reverend Dr John Hall, begins.

Royal Wedding Special TV3, 10pm: ITV's live coverage of the wedding ceremony begins. (Senior correspondent James Mates leads the commentary.)

One Special: A Royal Wedding TV One, 12.25am: The Queen and the bride and groom, together with their families, appear on the Palace balcony. There will be a fly past by the Royal Air Force, with coverage concluding around 12.45 after the traditional kiss.

SATURDAY, APRIL 30

Royal Wedding Highlights TV One, 7am and 7.30pm: The best bits.

William & Kate TV One, 8.30pm: The quickie US TV movie featuring Kiwi actor Nico Evers-Swindell as Prince William and unknown British actress Camilla Luddington as "Waity Katie".

SUNDAY MAY 1

The Woman Who Would Be Queen CNN (digital 091), 1am, 8am and 9pm: Documentary about the life of Catherine Middleton.