VIRGIN Media is making one of its premium channels free for all as part of a festive treat.

And there’s plenty to keep the kids entertained this too.

Illustration of Miles Morales from "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" looking concerned.Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is among the movies you can watch for freeCredit: AP:Associated Press Smurf among flowers shaped like lips.Kids can also watch Smurfs: The Lost VillageCredit: Alamy

Ultra HD is being unlocked on the company’s three most recent TV boxes.

The channel shows a number of big blockbusters and documentaries in stunning UHD.

Normally, you need to pay for a pricier package to access Virgin TV Ultra HD.

But for the whole of December it’ll be completely free to watch.

Films for the family in UHD include Antz, Smurfs: The Lost Village and : Into the Spider-Verse.

And for grown-ups, you can expect to see Hitch, Jerry Maguire and Hacksaw Ridge on the schedule.

See the full list of titles on show below:

  • Antz – December 23 at 6:40pm
  • As Good As It Gets – December 11 at 9pm
  • Billy and Dom Eat the World – December 1-8 at 8:05pm
  • Fantastic Friends S1 & 2 – December 18-31 at 8:05pm
  • Go Gently – December 9-14 at 8:10pm
  • Hacksaw Ridge – Christmas Eve at 9pm
  • Hitch – December 1 at 9pm
  • Hook – December 28 at 5:45pm
  • Jerry Maguire – December 9 at 9pm
  • Julie and Julia – December 23 at 9pm
  • Mother Nature – December 15 and 16 at 8:40pm and 8:10pm
  • Prince of Egypt – December 22 at 6:25pm
  • Robin Hood – December 21 at 9pm
  • Smurfs: The Lost Village – December 21 at 6:35pm
  • Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse – Christmas Eve at 6:05pm
  • The Nature of Christmas – December 17 at 8:05pm
  • Vivo – December 20 at 6:25pm

“For so many of our customers this time of the year is all about coming together and spending quality time with loved ones,” said David Bouchier, Chief TV and Entertainment Officer at Virgin Media O2.

“So, Virgin TV is gifting them the opportunity to unwind and watch their favourite films and shows together in UHD, at no extra cost this festive season.”

The channel can be accessed by tapping 175 or 999 on your remote.

Virgin TV Ultra HD is only available on Stream, TV360 and V6 boxes.

Get more quality TV for free

By , Assistant Technology and Science Editor

If you’re tired of paying out on several streaming services like Netflix and Disney+ then there are a growing number of free alternatives around.

While many of these alternatives have been filled with obscure content, more big names like Sky have got on board in recent years offering some quality stuff, which is largely archive but still entertaining.

As well as UKTV, Sony and 5 are among the other players getting involved.

If you haven’t already, give Pluto TV a go, it’s available on pretty much all devices.

On there you’ll find channels from MTV, with Catfish and Geordie Shore.

Some of the classics are real gems too – I found myself watching long-forgotten episodes of Sabrina the Teenage Witch the other day.