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Watch Christmas in the Spotlight: Your Ultimate Guide to Streaming the 2024 Holiday Hit

5 minutes read

The holiday season brings a flurry of festive movies, but few have sparked as much buzz as Christmas in the Spotlight, a 2024 Lifetime rom-com that premiered on November 23, 2024. Inspired by the high-profile romance of a pop star and a football player (think Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce vibes), this film has fans eager to watch Christmas in the Spotlight online or on TV. As of March 12, 2025, with the holiday glow still lingering, this guide delivers everything you need to know about streaming, renting, or buying the movie—whether you’re in the U.S., Canada, Australia, or beyond. From free trials to cable-free options, we’ve got you covered to enjoy this heartwarming tale of love under the limelight.

Table of Contents

What Is Christmas in the Spotlight About?

Before diving into how to watch Christmas in the Spotlight, let’s unpack its appeal. The movie follows Bowyn (Jessica Lord), a chart-topping pop star who sings about love but hasn’t found it herself. Enter Drew (Laith Wallschleger), a pro football player who meets her backstage at a concert and publicly declares his crush. Their romance blossoms amid festive cheer, but fame, paparazzi, and hectic schedules threaten to dim their spark. With a cast including Jeannie Mai and Haley Kalil, and a runtime of 1 hour 27 minutes, this TV-PG film blends holiday charm with relatable relationship drama.

Part of Lifetime’s “It’s a Wonderful Lifetime” 2024 slate, Christmas in the Spotlight isn’t an official Swift-Kelce biopic, but the parallels are undeniable—making it a must-see for Swifties and rom-com lovers alike. So, where can you watch Christmas in the Spotlight? Let’s explore your options.

Where to Watch Christmas in the Spotlight in 2025

As of March 12, 2025, Christmas in the Spotlight is available across multiple platforms, reflecting its post-premiere availability. Here’s a detailed rundown:

1. Lifetime Website & App (Free with Cable)

Availability: Select episodes, including repeats of Christmas in the Spotlight, with a cable login.
Cost: Free with a cable/satellite provider (e.g., Xfinity, Spectrum).
Details: Visit mylifetime.com or download the Lifetime app to watch Christmas in the Spotlight live or on-demand if you have a cable subscription. New users might catch unlocked episodes during promotional periods.
Perks: Bonus clips and behind-the-scenes content.

2. Philo (Best Free Trial Option)

Availability: Full movie, live or on-demand.
Cost: $28/month after a 7-day free trial.
Details: Philo offers 70+ channels, including Lifetime, making it a budget-friendly way to watch Christmas in the Spotlight. Stream the premiere’s reruns or record it with unlimited DVR (30-day storage). New subscribers can watch for free during the trial.
Perks: Affordable; works on Roku, Fire TV, and mobile devices.

3. Hulu + Live TV (Bundled Flexibility)

Availability: Live Lifetime broadcasts and on-demand access.
Cost: $82.99/month (includes Disney+ and ESPN+); 3-day free trial for new users.
Details: Hulu + Live TV lets you watch Christmas in the Spotlight live on Lifetime or catch it later with cloud DVR. The base Hulu plan ($7.99/month) doesn’t include Lifetime, so opt for the live package.
Perks: Ad-free Disney+ bundle option; broad channel lineup.

4. DirecTV Stream (Premium Live TV)

Availability: Lifetime included in all plans.
Cost: Starts at $79.99/month after a 5-day free trial (Entertainment package).
Details: DirecTV Stream offers 90+ channels, including Lifetime, to watch Christmas in the Spotlight live or on-demand. Discounts apply for the first two months ($49.99-$86.98).
Perks: Robust sports and entertainment options.

5. Amazon Prime Video (Rent or Buy)

Availability: Full movie available for rent or purchase.
Cost: $3.99 to rent, $14.99 to buy (as of early 2025 pricing).
Details: Prime Video lets you watch Christmas in the Spotlight without a subscription via rental (30 days to start, 48 hours to finish once begun) or purchase. Prime members ($9.99/month) can also stream it via the Lifetime channel add-on if available.
Perks: Own it forever; 30-day Prime trial for new users.

6. Fandango at Home (Vudu) & Microsoft Store

Availability: Full movie for rent or purchase.
Cost: $3.99-$4.99 to rent, $14.99-$19.99 to buy.
Details: These platforms offer a cable-free way to watch Christmas in the Spotlight. Rent for a short-term fix or buy for repeated holiday viewings.
Perks: High-quality streaming; integrates with digital libraries.

7. Crave (Canada Exclusive)

Availability: Full movie streaming.
Cost: $9.99/month (basic) after a 7-day free trial.
Details: Canadians can watch Christmas in the Spotlight on Crave, which carries Lifetime content. It’s ranked #403 on JustWatch’s daily charts as of early 2025.
Perks: Ad-free option at $14.99/month.

8. CTV (Canada Free Option)

Availability: Free with ads.
Cost: Free.
Details: CTV streams Christmas in the Spotlight for free in Canada with ads—perfect for cord-cutters.
Perks: No subscription needed.

9. Amazon Prime Video (Australia)

Availability: Full movie streaming.
Cost: $9.99/month AUD with a 30-day free trial.
Details: Aussies can watch Christmas in the Spotlight on Prime Video since its December 14, 2024, release Down Under.
Perks: Broad content library.

How to Watch Christmas in the Spotlight for Free

Want to watch Christmas in the Spotlight without spending a dime? Here are your best bets:

Philo: Use the 7-day free trial to stream it live or on-demand.
DirecTV Stream: 5-day trial covers Lifetime broadcasts.
Hulu + Live TV: 3-day trial for new subscribers.
Crave (Canada): 7-day trial.
CTV (Canada): Free with ads, no trial needed.
Prime Video: 30-day trial (check regional availability).

Sign up, watch during the trial, and cancel before billing to enjoy it free. Timing matters—check Lifetime’s schedule for reruns (e.g., December 2024 repeats).

International Streaming Options

U.S.: Philo, Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV Stream, Prime Video.
Canada: Crave, CTV.
Australia: Prime Video.
UK, India: Not widely available as of March 2025; use a VPN with U.S.-based services like Philo (check terms).
Other Regions: Limited; rent/buy via Amazon or Fandango if accessible.

Why Christmas in the Spotlight Stands Out

This movie’s Swift-Kelce inspiration—though unofficial—adds a modern twist to the holiday rom-com formula. Bowyn and Drew’s chemistry, paired with festive settings and a 5.8/10 IMDb rating, make it a cozy yet dramatic watch. X posts praise its “fun, warm, and comforting” vibe, likening it to Taylor Swift’s Red album for its pop romance flair.

Streaming Tips for the Best Experience

Device Compatibility: Available on smart TVs, Roku, Fire Stick, Apple TV, phones, and tablets.
Internet Speed: 5 Mbps for SD, 25 Mbps for HD.
Subtitles: Offered on most platforms (e.g., Prime, Crave).
Offline Viewing: Download via Prime Video or Fandango after purchase.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Not Available?: Check regional restrictions or wait for broader rollout.
Buffering?: Lower quality or test your connection.
No Lifetime?: Confirm your streaming package includes it.

Comparing Your Options

Platform	Cost	Availability	Free Trial	Live TV
Philo	$28/month	Full movie	7 days	Yes
Hulu + Live TV	$82.99/month	Live + on-demand	3 days	Yes
DirecTV Stream	$79.99/month	Live + on-demand	5 days	Yes
Prime Video	$3.99 rent/$14.99 buy	Full movie	30 days (Prime)	No
Crave (Canada)	$9.99/month	Full movie	7 days	No
CTV (Canada)	Free with ads	Full movie	N/A	No

Conclusion

As of March 12, 2025, there’s no shortage of ways to watch Christmas in the Spotlight, Lifetime’s 2024 holiday gem. Philo and DirecTV Stream offer free trials for U.S. viewers, while Crave and CTV cater to Canadians, and Prime Video serves Aussies and beyond. Whether you stream it live, rent it for a cozy night, or buy it for annual rewatches, this Swift-Kelce-inspired romance is a festive treat worth catching. Pick your platform, grab some cocoa, and let Bowyn and Drew’s love story light up your screen—holiday magic awaits!