The festive season is upon us, and for those who haven’t indulged in their annual Christmas movie marathon, this weekend might be the last opportunity before the big day. Fortunately, several channels are broadcasting festive films 24/7, providing a constant stream of holiday cheer morning, noon, and night. These channels offer a mix of classic favorites and newer releases, catering to a wide range of Christmas movie preferences. Whether you crave heartwarming tales, hilarious comedies, or timeless classics, there’s a channel and a movie out there waiting to transport you to a winter wonderland.
Among the free-to-air options is That’s Christmas, a dedicated channel airing festive films around the clock until January 2025. Available on Freeview, Sky, and Virgin Media, it replaces That’s TV 3 and offers easy access to a continuous stream of holiday movies for viewers across the UK. Another free option is GREAT! Christmas, which launched earlier this year and caused a stir with its early arrival 110 days before Christmas Day. This channel is stocked with feel-good, low-budget movies and TV shows, available on Freeview, Sky, Virgin Media, Samsung TV Plus, and the GREAT! Player. However, catch it while you can, as it disappears on January 8th.
For those who prefer streaming, Rakuten TV offers a free, ad-supported channel called 100% Christmas, featuring titles such as “Christmas Eve,” “I’m Not Ready for Christmas,” and “A Family for the Holidays.” Accessible through the Rakuten TV app on Fire, Roku, and Samsung TVs, this channel provides another avenue for festive film viewing until January 8th. ITVX also joins the festive streaming lineup with its own 24/7 Xmas Movies channel, showcasing a mix of recent releases and holiday favorites. Films like the 2023 release “Holiday Road,” along with “The Christmas Gift,” “Once Upon a Christmas Wish,” and “Christmas Keepsake,” offer viewers a diverse selection of heartwarming stories.
Beyond dedicated Christmas channels, other streaming services are embracing the holiday spirit with curated content. Channel 4’s app features a dedicated Christmas section, offering favorites like the “Father Ted Christmas Special,” “Jamie Cooks Christmas,” and the timeless classic “The Snowman.” It also includes the Film4 Advent Calendar, which kicked off at the beginning of December, featuring a mix of traditional Christmas films and the much-debated but beloved Christmas action movie “Die Hard,” alongside classics like “Miracle on 34th Street,” “Scrooged,” “A Christmas Carol,” and “Jingle all the Way.”
With the rising costs of streaming services, managing entertainment expenses can be challenging. One strategy to mitigate these costs is “stream swapping,” which involves subscribing to only one streaming service at a time. This allows viewers to fully explore the content library of one platform before moving on to another the following month. This cyclical approach provides access to a wide range of movies and shows while avoiding the financial burden of multiple subscriptions. For instance, one month could be dedicated to Netflix, the next to Disney+, followed by Apple TV+, and so on, rotating through preferred services.
In addition to paid streaming options, free, ad-supported platforms like Tubi, The Roku Channel, Plex, and Pluto TV offer access to thousands of live TV channels and a vast library of movies and shows. These platforms provide a cost-effective alternative to paid subscriptions, allowing viewers to enjoy a diverse range of entertainment without any monthly fees. By incorporating these free options into your viewing habits, you can significantly reduce entertainment expenses while still enjoying a wealth of content, including holiday favorites throughout the Christmas season.
