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A new TV channel playing 24/7 Christmas films launches in the UK this month

The free channel will be showing Christmas films non-stop, starting this month.

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant - 2nd September 2021

A new (and free) Christmas movie channel showing festive favourites non-stop is set to launch in the UK this month.

After the events of last Christmas, we definitely need a little help getting into the festive spirit this year – and, by all accounts, it sounds like this new TV channel is set to do just that.

Called GREAT! Movies Christmas, it will be temporarily taking over the GREAT! Movies Classic channel for the next four months to bring us the festive cheer we all so desperately need.

Starting the fun early, the new channel will be showing all our Christmas movie favourites from 23 September, right up until 4 January 2022 – and there are some absolute classics set to be shown alongside new premieres.

According to reports in the Liverpool Echo, programming is set to feature some ‘exclusive premieres.’

This will include the likes of Mariah Carey’s A Christmas Melody, love story Just In Time For Christmas, 2001 made-for-TV American movie Call Me Claus (starrting Whoopi Goldberg and Nigel Hawthorne), and Crazy For Christmas – which tells the story of how a limo driver helps a wealthy man find his long-lost daughter on Christmas.

GREAT! Movies Christmas will be taking over for the next four months to bring us the festive cheer we all so desperately need / Credit: Hughes Entertainment Fox Family Films

As well as these seasonal premieres, it’s also been reported that the channel will showcase some themed collections like ‘Christmas Presents’ and ‘Christmas Comedy Capers.’ 

Further titles confirmed to appear on the channel so far include  A Christmas Melody, Just In Time For Christmas, Call Me Claus, and Crazy For Christmas.

Available on Freeview, Sky, Virgin, and Freesat for free from later this month, the new pop-up channel comes from Narrative Entertainment, which also owns channels GREAT! movies and GREAT! TV as part of its free entertainment network.

The Liverpool Echo also says that the channel will be “showing all of the much-loved Christmas classics” – so we’re crossing our fingers that titles like Elf, Miracle on 34th Street, The Grinch, Love Actually, Home Alone and The Night Before also make an appearance.

GREAT! Movies Christmas will be available to view on Freeview: 51, Sky: 319, Virgin: 424, and Freesat: 303.

Featured Image – Sony

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A deal has reportedly been agreed for Antony to leave Manchester United

Danny Jones Danny Jones Antony transfer update Man United loan deal

Currently exiled winger Antony looks like he’s finally set to leave Manchester United, as the Red Devils have reportedly agreed a deal with a Spanish team, Real Betis, to seal his return.

The 25-year-old winger, who joined Man United from Ajax in 2022 at the behest of former manager Erik ten Hag for nearly £90 million all told, has made 96 appearances for the club, but has only played a handful of games under Ruben Amorim.

In fairness, he did spend six months on loan in La Liga, where he performed so well that Betis players joked they should set up a crowdfunder in order to sign him permanently.

Most notably, he also doesn’t look to be part of Amorim’s plans, and it looks like the Sevillan side may not have to turn to far-fetched measures after all.

Sharing the update on social media, Daily Telegraph journalist Mike McGrath wrote: “Agreement in principle for Antony to return to Real Betis, according to Spanish sources.

“Talks have been over a deal where the 25yo Brazil forward to eventually move permanently after [an] initial loan.”

Expanding in a full column, the football writer also briefed readers re: ongoing talks with potential new goalkeeper, Senne Lammens, who looks close to sealing an estimated £21.6m transfer.

As you can see, since these reports, the latest from other sources is that an official bid has now been received, though nothing has been signed just yet.

It goes without saying that Antony, who scored nine goals and five assists in 26 appearances for Los Béticos – many of which came in crucial games – would be keen on the switch.

Once again, it is only believed to be an agreement in principle at this point, but there is understandably a keenness on all sides.

You can see why he was an instant hit with their supporters down below.

Antony quickly looked much more at home in the Betis starting XI than he did in Manchester.

Although it is said that United have not yet accepted the bid, freelance transfer specialist Sam Alex claims that the Premier League club would prefer not to loan him out for a second time.

That being said, as McGrath states, it’s thought that the hope is that they can agree on another short-term spell in the immediate, with a look to sign him full-time at a later date.

Betis have reiterated that they still have a modest budget when it comes to recruitment, and it is unclear whether they’d be able to raise enough money via player sales by January to make it a permanent deal.

United have ended up spending more than £200m this window and are rumoured to be spending further as Jim Ratcliffe and the INEOS Sports Group look to try and get the global sporting brand back to ‘the good days’, which the Portuguese coach insists are coming.

Nevertheless, the ex-Sporting boss has now played more Premier League games (29) than he has won points, of which he has amassed just 28 thus far. Those new signings have to start clicking soon.

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Featured Images — Ardfern (via Wikimedia Commons)/La Liga (screenshot via YouTube)

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BBC needs outspoken Mancs to share their hottest TV takes in brand-new show

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Outspoken Mancs are being urged to apply to take part in a new BBC show where they share their hottest TV takes.

We all have opinions when it comes to television, right? Whether it be which show had the best and worst ending, which characters deserved better arcs, or which shows are the most underrated – you name it, someone will have an opinion on it.

Some people, however, like to broadcast or shout about their options a little louder than others do… and it’s these people the BBC is looking to speak to.

The broadcaster is currently in the process of casting for a new digital pilot called People Watching that will give people from across the UK a chance to share their hottest TV takes, straight from the comfort of their own sofa, and is looking for outspoken people from across Greater Manchester to talk the talk and take part.

The BBC needs outspoken Mancs to share their hottest TV takes in a brand-new show / Credit: CoWomen (via Pexels)

A casting call for the new show on the BBC website reads: “Subtitles on or off? What would your winning strategy be on The Traitors? And what is the most overrated show ever made?

“If you have a big personality, an interesting living room, or are part of a household group who love a binge watch – we want to hear from you.”

People Watching is being produced for the BBC by BBC Socials, which likely means it’ll be a show primarily made for online audiences.

To apply to feature on the show, you’ll need to be 18 years old or over, and you must be willing to allow the BBC to film in your home.

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Applicants will need to send casting directors a short ‘expression of interest’ in the form of a paragraph or video link, telling them a bit about yourself, your favourite BBC show, and most importantly, your most controversial TV opinion.

The closing date for applications is 1 October 2025, and you can apply by sending an email to [email protected]

Featured Image – JESHOOTS (via Pexels)

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