Thursday, April 30, 2015

Hallmark Channel's * Countdown to Christmas 2015 * ~ All NEW Thanksgiving Week!


If you've been searching for some Christmas TV Movie News -
then this Update below is definitely for You!

 
 
via Hallmark Press Release:

HALLMARK CHANNEL UPS THE STAKES IN HOLIDAY WITH THE LAUNCH OF COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS THANKSGIVING WEEK, FEATURING
5 CONSECUTIVE NIGHTS OF NEW ORIGINAL FILMS – A NETWORK FIRST 
 

Hallmark Channel, the Heart of TV, is building on its annual signature holiday programming franchise with a brand new tradition – Countdown to Christmas Thanksgiving Week. This new tentpole initiative will feature an unprecedented five consecutive nights of new original holiday movie premieres from Wednesday, November 25th through Sunday, November 29th.

In addition, beginning Monday, November 23rd, the network will celebrate the holiday with daily segments on the network’s Emmy® nominated daytime lifestyle series, Home & Family, and spotlight Thanksgiving-themed digital content – including recipes, entertaining tips, and more – on its websites and social platforms.

The event significantly extends Hallmark Channel’s original holiday programming footprint and offers new opportunities for advertisers to reach consumers on both the network’s linear and digital platforms during the most trafficked retail week of the year. This announcement comes on the heels of the company’s record breaking ratings results in Fourth Quarter 2014, which positioned Hallmark Channel as the #1-rated cable network among households and women 25-54 for over 8 weeks.

“Hallmark Channel has long been an integral part of viewers’ holiday traditions and every year ratings and delivery for Countdown to Christmas grow exponentially,” said Ed Georger, EVP Advertising Sales, Crown Media Family Networks. “In expanding the initiative to include Countdown to Christmas Thanksgiving Week, we are giving our loyal viewers more of the holiday fare they love, while creating new opportunities for our advertising partners to convey key marketing messages and reach their target audience during the most critical retail period of the year.”

For over a decade, Hallmark Channel has been the leading provider of quality family and holiday entertainment. Announcements about movie titles and talent are forthcoming.
 
-------------end of press release---------------
 
 
My take: Isn't this exciting Christmas Movie news! 5 all New Holiday movies for the week of Thanksgiving! I'm wondering if these movies will be Christmas or Thanksgiving themed? Perhaps, a mix of both? Until the next update, I guess we will have to wait and see!
 
I couldn't wait to share this Countdown to Christmas news with all of you!
 
Hope this update *brightens* up your day!
 
God Bless Us, Everyone! Net
 

Press details above via: Hallmark Crown Media
Background image above via: www.christmaswallpaperbackgrounds.com

52 comments:

  1. Yes, I am already excited. Silly, since school isn't even out, but I just can't help it, Christmas movies are my favorite time of year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so glad to hear from you! You can join me in being silly and excited for Christmas! It is, after all, the most wonderful time of year!!! :)

      Delete
    2. Net this is such exciting news for all the Christmas fans like us! I just picked up the new hallmark ornament book and its already dog eared. Hoping they will do the 24/7, but we'll say. Thanks as always for keeping us all posted!!

      Delete
    3. I hope they're 24/7 too! That's the best!

      I haven't seen the ornaments, yet... I'll have to do that... So fun to pick out something new and meaningful!

      Delete
  2. Okay, so I'm happy to see a post about the upcoming Christmas schedule. But at the same time, quite honestly, I think it totally sucks that Hallmark isn't starting the 24/7 holiday movies at the beginning of November like last. I LOVED that! I'm wondering if the change this year has to do with backlash the network/channel might've received last year from people upset about the Christmas movies starting so early. I get it---Christmas isn't until December. But I enjoy getting into the holiday spirit early! I mean, are they even going to do the 24/7 tradition this year?? And if they are, it sounds like it won't start until the very end of November (after the 5 new movies air). I have SO many questions! Will we have a 24/7 this year?, Are they now going to be airing some Christmas movies during the week instead of the weekends?, Just exactly how many new movies will we have this year?, etc. Oy vey. So far, I'm less than thrilled with the 2015 Hallmark Christmas news. :(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, I think you will be happy to know Christmas movies are still going to begin on the Hallmark Channel on November 1st, 2015 - just like last year! This new event, I shared above, is a week long tribute to Thanksgiving in the middle of their Countdown to Christmas!! So, it is good news all around and this way they will also be honoring the Thanksgiving Holiday, which was somewhat overlooked, in years past, with all the Christmas movies... but alas, not this year!

      You also asked , "how many new movies will we have this year?" So far, we've been told there will be 15!

      Delete
    2. Oh, Hallmark wouldn't kowtow to the complainers when the ratings proved that starting the Countdown to Christmas early is a big success for the network. The Countdown is starting on Halloween weekend -- probably even before 11/1, to be honest. Then the Countdown to Christmas will proceed as usual (all 2 months of it)! The only differences are that they are giving us more movies this year -- 15 or 16 instead of the usual 12 or 13 -- and they are running 5 of the new movies over 5 consecutive nights, including on Thanksgiving (which they have never done) during Thanksgiving week. Otherwise, I'm sure it will be business as usual.


      I do tend to wonder if Hallmark might cut back the "all day/all night" airings of the movies at some point over the 2 months. I really, really hope they don't cut back at all -- I like the (almost) 24/7 marathon -- but so many people grumbled about missing "The Golden Girls" last year that they might adjust the schedule a bit.

      Delete
    3. Hey, Net! Well, that makes me feel better!--hearing that the Christmas movies will, in fact, start in early November. YAY!!! The press release makes it sound like all-things Christmas won't be starting until Thanksgiving week (at least, that's what it sounded like to me). Aside for my love for Christmas, I do think it's great that we'll be getting Thanksgiving-themed movies this year, as I've often wondered why they don't produce more of them for the holiday season.

      Thanks for the clarification. :) Looking forward to reading more Hallmark holiday news as it comes!

      Delete
    4. Please don't change up the Christmas schedule to fit in sitcoms like Golden Girls. We get enough of that throughout the year.

      Delete
    5. Despite the fact that Hallmark named "November 1st" as the start date for this year's Countdown, I think we will see the Countdown to Christmas beginning on 10/30 or 10/31. But it's always possible that the first new movie may not end up airing until Sunday, 11/1.


      Last year (and actually, during the Countdown to Christmas of 2013 too!!) Hallmark initially said that the Countdown to Christmas of 2014 would start on November 1st. That was their early announcement -- just like what they have said so far this year. However, as we all know, the Countdown really ended up starting on Halloween, Friday, 10/31/14. But the first new movie of the Countdown -- "One Starry Christmas" -- premiered on 11/1.


      I think that November 1st is just the jumping off point -- they know that the movies won't begin any later than that date, so that date is safe to announce. But as the year progresses they could change the date. I think that if there is going to be a new Hall of Fame holiday movie they have to work that into the schedule as well, so the start date may change.


      Hallmark has said on Facebook that the Countdown will start on "Halloween weekend," so that gives them some wiggle room in case it changes from Sunday, 11/1 to Friday, 10/30 or Saturday, 10/31.


      Delete
    6. I am happy that they will take time to honor Thanksgiving during their Christmas marathon. Now if they could do their Christmas in July after the 4th of July. I can't wait for November 1st I hardly turn the channel from Hallmark and Hallmark Movie & Mystery in those 2 months!!!

      Delete
    7. Why does hallmark need to invade the other holidays (4th of July, Halloween and Thanksgiving) can't they let people enjoy them without throwing Christmas down their throats. A day or two won't hurt. I love Christmas movies but other holidays need to be respected.

      Delete
    8. I must say, I agree with you Sayleen. I think on the 4th, they should air patriotic films... and if they must play Christmas Movies on the 4th, then they should air something Christmas patriotic, such as The Christmas Card... and then for Halloween, they should air Hats Off to Christmas, because it also has Halloween in it, too... with carving a pumpkin, and everything! Just a thought.

      Thank you for your comment! :)

      Delete
  3. Two thoughts:

    1) I, too, wondered what the theme of the movies would be for those 5 nights. They don't do too many Thanksgiving movies to begin with, but some people do ask for them. So my guess is that one or two of the movies -- maybe the one on Wednesday and/or the one on Thursday -- will be Thanksgiving-themed. And then Friday, Saturday and Sunday would be more Christmas-oriented. And 2) It's interesting that, although this info came out via an official press release, Hallmark has not mentioned it on their Facebook pages yet. Even more interesting is that they still haven't made the formal announcement -- via press release or via social media -- about Christmas in July, even though it IS happening. Maybe they will make a tandem Christmas in July--Thanksgiving Week announcement??

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love your comment! You sound just like me- checking out all the other various sites for more details! I also checked those other sites and was surprised there wasn't any mention on them, yet... But this is an official Hallmark press release!

      In regards, to Christmas in July, I can imagine we will be hearing a lot about it during the June wedding month, which is probably the next big promo event!

      Thank you for your comment & enthusiasm! :)

      Delete
    2. Net -- I'm a Christmas movie fanatic, and especially a Hallmark Christmas movie fanatic. I check the Hallmark press releases every day. I check their Facebook pages every day. I moderate forums on a website (the website is not holiday-related), and in those forums I have threads running all year long about Halloween and Holiday-specific subjects. I frequently recommend the Hallmark Christmas movie marathons and update the followers of the thread if I see anything newsworthy in Hallmark's press releases. It helps to keep the holiday spirit, mood and interest going all year long!


      I agree that the Christmas in July announcement might be appropriate for Wedding Month. However, that is over one month away and I really think that Hallmark will make some sort of official announcement before June. It really all depends on how extensive and involved the Christmas in July event is going to be. If it's an all day/all night 10-day event sort of thing, they might do more to promote it. If it turns out to just be one weekend of Christmas movies, they may wait until June to mention it. But Hallmark has said on two different Facebook pages that CIJ is happening this year, and that details would be coming very soon! So at least we know that there will be some Christmas movies airing in July at some point before "Cedar Cove" returns!

      Delete
    3. I saw that on Facebook as well that the Christmas in July announcement would be soon. I sent a private message asking if it would be a week long like last year but was only told they would be sharing the details soon. SOOO Excited. I check everyday to see if there is any Christmas news. Thank you for the update.

      Delete
    4. It seems to be a week long starting July 3rd but on weekdays they start at 2 pm, not a 24/7 programing.

      Delete
    5. Right. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like it will be 24/7 now on either network. Such a bummer.

      Delete
  4. Thank you - It will be interesting to see what they come up with. I just hope that they don't do so many movies that the quality of them isn't as good.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I couldn't agree more, Susan! They do say "Less is More", don't they.... or now is it, "More is More"???

      I hope, mostly, they are all good, family oriented films... however, like you, I like quality films - it's also nice when a "G" movie has some depth to it's storyline!

      Delete
  5. I've looked everyone online for the graphic you used above. It is so beautiful. Did Hallmark release that with their press release?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! I actually put it together myself with a little Photoshop! The background image is from christmaswallpaperbackgrounds.com and the Hallmark Channel logo is via Hallmark. I thought it looked so warm and inviting - I'm glad you like, too!

      Delete
  6. Ahhhhh, Net, I'm always looking for Christmas TV movie news and there you are; ready, willing and able to enlighten us with the latest and newest updates!!.....can't wait!! Thank You!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I would love to see Hallmark do more Thanksgiving themed movies.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me, too! Love at the Thanksgiving Parade was great, but the Thanksgiving House was pretty terrible. There are some classic Thanksgiving movies we watch year after year. One Special Night, oldie but a goodie, takes place over Thanksgiving, though many consider it a Christmas film. And, of course, Planes, Trains and Automobiles is the greatest Thanksgiving movie of all time.

      I’d love if they did more Thanksgiving-themed movies.

      Delete
    2. A Family Thanksgiving with Daphne Zuniga is one we watch every year!

      Delete
    3. I'm not sure, yet, if the premiere movies during Thanksgiving Week, will actually be Thanksgiving themed - but it will be interesting to see!

      Delete
  8. Can't wait. Thank you for always keeping us informed. You are Wonderful!!!!! I LOVE CHRISTMAS Look forward to the movies all year long. Actually I saved some from last year and will watch them again this summer. My family thinks I'm crazy....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So Sweet! Thank YOU!!!

      I also can't wait and I, too, LOVE Watching Christmas Movies ALL Year Round!!!

      Delete
  9. This news made my day! Can't wait for more! Merry Christmas in April!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am very curious to see if they do a Hallmark Hall of Fame Christmas movie this year. Those are usually amongst my favorites of the year, but now that the deal with ABC is done, I wonder if they'll continue to produce these more expensive films?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Interesting thought. I know they scaled back and did not do a Hallmark Hall of Fame Movie before Mother's Day this year, which was highly unusual... especially with wanting to promote buying Mother's Day cards. I am curious, too, now. Will they decide to end this long-standing tradition of creating Hallmark Hall of Fame films? I suppose only time will tell.

      Delete
  11. I'm looking forward to the Christmas in July movies I watch them all year long (had them on my dvr but lost them when I switched cable companies) THE CHRISTMAS CARD IS MY FAVORITE

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, I hope you can record lots of your favorites all over again - during Christmas in July!!! I love The Christmas Card, too... and Curly fries!!!

      Delete
  12. Any word on any of the past Christmas movies coming to dvd. Unlike one of the other blogs, my wife and I enjoyed Thanksgiving House. Hope it will come to dvd as well as Matchmaker Santa, Snow Bride, Farewell Mr. Kringle, Window Wonderland, Finding Christmas, Catch a Christmas Star and so many more. Really love Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, I hope we will see lots more of these movies coming to DVD this year, but I haven't heard anything official, yet.

      I really like most of the ones you mentioned, too, including The Thanksgiving House (So Sweet!), Snow Bride (So FUN!), Window Wonderland (LOVE!!!), and Matchmaker Santa (Adorable)!!!

      Thank you for sharing your Love of Christmas Movies!!!

      Delete
  13. I can't wait either. I love Christmas movies/specials/cartoons. Always searching to find out when they are on TV. Keep up the great work!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, thank you! I appreciate all your support! And I appreciate it so much when you all share tips, too! You're the best!!! Thank YOU!!! :)

      Delete
  14. Will Christmas with Tucker be on dvd this year ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It hasn't been released, yet, in the US. However, Amazon does have listed a NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.0 Import DVD from Australia. It would play on a region free dvd player, if you have one. As of this afternoon, the price was around $30 - but those change, all the time. Hopefully, since it is already out on DVD, it will be released here, too.

      Link: Christmas with Tucker DVD

      Delete
  15. I'm so excited and love Christmas in July! Very happy to hear that the Christmas movies start at the beginning of November. Love it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, it will begin early this year, too - I'm thinking maybe even the last October, we will see Christmas on Hallmark! I love it, too!

      Delete
  16. Just a note to say thank you for all the time and effort you take to accomplish this site.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love the çhristmas movies. I could watch them all year long. I love Christmas time. Keep showing new and old movies. I love what you all are doing on Tv. Mrs. Hart/Fayetteville North Carolina

    ReplyDelete
  18. I always look forward to this time of year! I love the hallmark movies. I could watch them over and over again. I never change my tv channel, it is always on hallmark channel! :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Wow, you have very nice blog and thanksgiving and Christmas collection, I was looking for such nice collection of Thanksgiving Movies 2015, thanks for sharing such kind of information.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Great job for publishing such a beneficial article on Christmas & Thanksgiving week. Your blog information isn’t only useful but it is additionally creative with high content too. Thanks..

    ReplyDelete
  21. I wanted to thank you for this excellent read!! I certainly enjoyed
    every bit of it. I have got you book-marked to check out new things
    you post…

    ReplyDelete

Please COMMENT and share your thoughts on Movies and More...

You may comment by using an Account, Name, or by choosing Anonymous! (If you pick Name, you can add your name, nickname, initials, or favorite handle! You can also leave the URL space blank, if you do not have a web-site.)

Whatever you choose, I enjoy hearing from you! Blessings, Net