The holiday season has arrived early for some viewers as Great! Christmas, a 24/7 festive movie channel, launched on Freeview channel 52 on Wednesday, August 26. The channel is set to broadcast 186 Christmas films, with 42 making their debut, a move that places the yuletide programming over four months before December 25.
This early launch targets Britons who wish to embrace the festive spirit and begin watching holiday films well in advance of the traditional season. A survey indicated that one in five individuals would be receptive to watching Christmas movies year-round. Last year, Great! Christmas was the UK's most popular Christmas-specific channel from September to December, accumulating 14.5 million minutes of viewership.
Kate Gartland, Marketing Director at Great TV, stated that the channel's programming is designed to build excitement for the holiday. "While we may be festive fanatics at Great, believe me, there is method in the madness - last year's Christmas programming attracted more viewers than ever before so we're starting the festivities even earlier for 2026," Gartland said.
Among the films featured on Great! Christmas are "Nine Kittens of Christmas" (2021), "The Christmas Ticket" (2025), "Annie Claus is Coming To Town" (2011), and "A Christmas Switch" (2018). Other titles include "Christmas Ever After" (2020), "Snowmance" (2017), "Northpole two Open for Christmas" (2015), "Christmas Unwrapped" (2020), "The Magical Christmas Shoes" (2019), "Once Upon a Christmas Miracle" (2018), "The Perfect Christmas Village" (2018), "Christmas with a Crown" (2020), and "The Royal Nanny" (2022). The channel will continue its festive programming until January.