Your Freeview TV gets surprise change this week with new things to watch for free

Just last week, Express.co.uk brought you the news that NFL content was coming to plaforms including Sky, Virgin Media and Freeview, now there's even more good news for those wanting bonus things to watch. It might come as a bit of a surprise, but GREAT! Christmas is launching this week. In fact, it will appear on screens from September 4 ahead of the 2025 festive period.

Yes, there's still over 110 days until we all start eating turkey and pulling crackers, but it appears that we'll all be able to get into the spirit a little bit early. If you fancy giving it a go, you'll find it on the channels below

Freeview - channel 52 • Sky - channel 319 • Virgin Media - channel 424

This isn't actually an all-new channel as it regularly appears in the winter and replaces one of GREAT!'s other services. This time around it's GREAT! Romance that will be taken off air until January.

A quick look at the upcoming listings shows plenty of festive treats, including movies such as Road to Christmas, Love You Like Christmas and Deck the Heart.

Speaking about the update, Steve Hornsey, Narrative Entertainment’s Vice President of Movies and Entertainment, commented: “Forget the naysayers, everybody loves Christmas – and the earlier it starts, the better. Our research suggests millions of Brits can’t wait to get into the festive spirit early, and GREAT! Christmas is the perfect place for them. Last year GREAT! Christmas was once again Britain’s favourite seasonal channel. Now it’s back for everyone who wants to escape into that warm, feel-good world of Christmas romance and family joy.”

Once the channel launches, you may have to retune your Freeview TV, but check first and hopefully the GREAT! Christmas will automatically appear on the planner.

It goes live from this Thursday, September 4.