Christmas comes earlier than ever as a 24/7 festive movie channel launches -  before summer is even over

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'.

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.'

Some of the Great Christmas titles include:

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.

Christmas Ever After (2020) – Sparks fly during Christmastime when a romance novelist meets a handsome man who looks like the leading character in her books.

Snowmance (2017) – Each year Sarah builds her 'Snow Beau' snowman with her best friend Nick. After another breakup, she begins to wonder if she'll ever find her own true love. A little Christmas magic brings her Snow Beau to life.

Northpole two Open for Christmas (2015) – When Mackenzie inherits her aunt's once-majestic inn, she decides to sell it. But fixing up the rundown place is more challenging than she had anticipated. Then the magic of Christmas intervenes, with unexpected help from Santa's elves.

Christmas Unwrapped (2020) – A pragmatic reporter writing a feature story investigates a man who insists that all of the Christmas gifts his charity gives are magically supplied by Santa Claus.

The Magical Christmas Shoes (2019) – A pair of magical shoes step into Noelle's holiday season, allowing her to rediscover her Christmas spirit and find love too.

Once Upon a Christmas Miracle (2018) – This holiday romance is based on the incredible real-life story about organ donor Chris Dempsey and recipient Heather Krueger, who were brought into one another's lives by a transplant surgery that led to a miraculous romance.

The Perfect Christmas Village (2018) – Darcy's been striving for the perfect Christmas since childhood and, thanks to a magical figurine, her dream finally comes true.

Christmas with a Crown (2020) – Sparks fly when a dashing stranger volunteers to help a successful woman organize her family's annual Christmas festival. But he's really a prince in disguise and it will take a miracle of royal proportions for their hearts to meet as one.

The Royal Nanny (2022) – Claire is an MI5 agent who becomes the royal nanny, having to overcome challenges on her mission as she keeps the family safe for Christmas and resists Prince Colin's charms.

Great Christmas is available on channel 52 on Freeview and will air from Wednesday, August 26.