"Elf" Will Not Be Shown On Channel 4 This Christmas

Sky Movies have acquired the rights to the festive favourite.

The Channel 4 screening of Elf has become a British tradition in recent years.

New Line / courtesy Everett Collection

As the Guardian's Stuart Heritage points out:

"Usually shown on a Sunday afternoon around the second weekend of December, Elf was the sign that Christmas had well and truly arrived. Sweet without being saccharine, nostalgic while being completely current, and laugh-out-loud funny even after repeated viewings, Will Ferrell's turn as Buddy the Elf was the perfect way to usher in the festive season."

But now all that is set to change.

New Line/ courtesy of Everett Collection

Because as the paper points out, this has happened.

Sky Movies @skymovies

ELF is exclusively on Sky Movies this Christmas! Hope you can join us for candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup. http://t.co/5ukLzfettY

11:31 AM - 18 Nov 2013

Sky Movies

@skymovies

ELF is exclusively on Sky Movies this Christmas! Hope you can join us for candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup. http://t.co/5ukLzfettY

/ Via

Which makes Rupert Murdoch, quite literally, the Grinch who stole Christmas.

Getty / Cameron Spencer

francescazoeburke.tumblr.com

But only for Sky subscribers :(((