By REBECCA LAWRENCE, DEPUTY SHOWBUSINESS EDITOR (DIGITAL FEATURES)
Published: 08:52 BST, 23 August 2026 | Updated: 09:02 BST, 23 August 2026
The UK may be in the midst of a sweltering summer heatwave, but somehow, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.
Or that's certainly a case over on Freeview channel 52, which is airing exclusively Christmas movies despite the fact we're still in August.
While families are enjoying the last of the school holidays, TV executives at Great! have cranked up their snow machine to launch Great Christmas next Wednesday – a whopping 120 days before December 25.
The festive-only programming will run until January, airing 186 Christmas films, 42 making their debut on the channel.
Last year, Great Christmas was the UK's most popular Christmas-only channel throughout September to December, totting up 14.5 million minutes watched by its fans.
The August launch is targeted at Brits who want to get into the festive spirit and begin watching their cosy Christmas films even earlier, after a survey found one in five Brits would 'happily watch Christmas films all year round'.
The UK may be in the midst of a sweltering summer heatwave, but somehow, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, with the launch of a 24/7 festive movie channel on Freeview
Kate Gartland, Marketing Director at Great TV, said: 'Great Christmas is back – and it's earlier than ever. This year's programming is jam-packed with even more movies to help build the excitement for the big day.
'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.'
Nine Kittens of Christmas (2021) – ex's Zachary and Marilee are thrown back together at Christmas when they're tasked with finding homes for a litter of adorable kittens.
The Christmas Ticket (2025) – After inheriting her late grandfather's old winter home one week before Christmas, a young woman discovers that he may have hidden a winning lottery ticket somewhere in the house.
Annie Claus is Coming To Town (2011) – This year, Santa's daughter (Maria Thayer) takes her first trip away from the North Pole during the Christmas season hoping to find adventure and love in sunny California.
A Christmas Switch (2018) – Two women magically switch bodies during the holidays and learn valuable lessons about family, love and Christmas cheer.
