Sony to launch free-to-air Christmas pop-up channel

Sony has announced the return of its dedicated Christmas pop-up channel in the UK.

The Sony Movies Christmas channel will start broadcasting on September 10, and will be available until January. 

The channel will be available on Freeview 50, Sky 319, Virgin 424 and Freesat 303.

Programming will include channel premieres such as Holiday Road Trip, Christmas With The Kranks, Silver Bells and Defending Santa, along with themed weekends.

A festive statement from Sony said: “Santa and his elves aren’t the only people working hard from now until Christmas. Sony Movies Christmas channel has been working its stockings off to ensure there’s enough Christmas content to keep you in a seasonal mood right until the big day and beyond. Because really, when isn’t a good time to gift yourself a little festive cheer?” 

This season also marks a rebrand for the channel that was formerly known as True Christmas. The rebrand will see the pop-up channel firmly sit as a part of Sony Pictures Television FTA film network.

The new-look network, also launching on September 10, will combine Sony Movies, Sony Movies Action and Sony Movies Christmas. Sony-owned True Entertainment will also be rebranded as Sony Channel, while Sony Movies Classic will launch in January 2020.

Sony claims that it will be the UK’s first free-to-air movie network.