Performance Live: Akala Presents The Ruins of Empires
10pm, BBC Two
If you can’t imagine ever finding yourself at a live poetry performance of a Saturday night, then this is a horizon-widening opportunity. Poet and activist Akala performs an abridged version of his epic work with an introduction from Daniel Kaluuya, a score by Mala, plus a host of other dancers and actors. The subject matter is his take on human history, incorporating reincarnation and astral travel, so it also makes for an ideal follow-up to the rebooted Civilisations. Ellen E Jones
The Forest
8pm, BBC Two
More tales from Galloway Forest, as environment officer Bill Fisher takes to the skies to conduct a health check on his leafy constituency. At the other end of the technological spectrum, forester Gareth Ventress employs some traditional horse loggers to deal with dense bracken. Mark Gibbings-Jones
Britain’s Got Talent
8pm, ITV
Emotional stuff so far, whether that’s the sight of Ant McPartlin white-knuckling it through the audition stages, singing priests, the routine by RISE or Lost Voice Guy Lee Ridley. Still, that’s the nature of the beast. Aside from David Walliams hamming it up, there’s really no way of predicting the defining mood. John Robinson
Britain’s Most Historic Towns
8pm, Channel 4
Alice Roberts studies the history of Norwich in order to tell the story of Tudor England, uncovering the reality of religious intolerance and experiencing humiliating Tudor justice. Elsewhere, archaeologist Ben Robinson takes to the skies in order to see how Norwich’s current street layout reflects its history. Candice Carty-Williams
Civilisations on Your Doorstep
9pm, BBC Two
Mary Beard explores antiquities from past civilisations that can be found right here in Britain, from Egyptian remains to Roman marbles to a cabinet stuffed with 17th-century curiosities, while also confronting the sometimes troubling circumstances of their acquisition. Ben Arnold
Salamander
9pm, BBC Four
Stomping his cop’s big feet through matters of finance and diplomacy, Gerardi remains convinced something is rotten in the state of Belgium. His suspicions only grow after he does some diamond-provenance checking. The odd clunky moment aside, it’s another entertaining conspiracy thriller. Jonathan Wright
TV films
Flags of Our Fathers, 9pm, TCM
This first part of Clint Eastwood’s magnificent double bill about the battle for Iwo Jima (the Japanese side given in the eloquent Letters from Iwo Jima) tells the story of the US soldiers who raised the victory flag on the island, creating an iconic image. Sombre, humane and one of Clint’s fistful of masterpieces. Paul Howlett
Live sport
Snooker: World Championship Hazel Irvine introduces second-round coverage from Sheffield. 10am, BBC Two
Premier League Football: Liverpool v Stoke City PFA player of the year Mo Salah continues his golden boot hunt. 11.30am, Sky Sports Main Event
Premiership Rugby: Gloucester v Bath Coverage from Kingsholm. 2.30pm, Channel 5
