We have exciting Christmas movie news today from UPtv! This holiday season they are upping their game! UPtv's Christmas programming slate will be bigger than ever - with 17 New Premiere Christmas movies and the return of the series Small Town Christmas and GilMORE the Merrier! Plus, UPtv will have the television premiere of multi-platinum country artist Josh Turner’s King Size Manger Christmas special. See all the details below.
Press Release via UPtv:
ITS’ UPTV’S
MOST UPLIFTING CHRISTMAS EVER
BEGINNING NOVEMBER
WITH MORE PREMIERE MOVIES
THAN EVER BEFORE
ATLANTA – Sept. 21, 2022 – UPtv, the television home for uplifting entertainment, announced today a super-sized Christmas on the network with MORE original holiday movies, MORE specials and MORE chances to uplift or be uplifted than ever before. This holiday season UPtv will deliver the best in holiday entertainment while also celebrating the people and moments that bring joy.
In addition to 17 premiere movies, UPtv will debut multi-platinum country artist Josh Turner’s King Size Manger Christmas special on Friday, Nov 18, and a new season of unscripted series Small Town Christmas, highlighting Christmas celebrations across small town America. Additionally, annual fan-favorite GilMORE the Merrier is back with this year’s binge-a-thon hosted by Michael Winters who played Town Selectman Taylor Doose on the series. These premieres are part of UPtv’s collection of more than 600 hours of holiday cheer.
“With so many people needing to scale back in different ways this holiday season, we wanted to deliver an abundance of Christmas programming so uplifting, holiday cheer was plentiful for our viewers,” said Hector Campos, vice president, content strategy and acquisition at UPtv. “We are thrilled to provide them with our largest offering of Christmas programming yet that continues to celebrate the true spirit of the season. We have 17 of the very best Christmas movie premieres, the second season of Small Town Christmas, and the premiere of multi-platinum country artist Josh Turner’s King Size Manger Christmas special. Whether Christmas lovers are seeking a cozy romantic holiday escape, an uplifting story, or singing along with their favorite songs, we have a diverse slate with something for everyone this Christmas season.”
UPtv's Most Uplifting Christmas Ever, will have viewers “unwrapping” surprises and delights all season long with:
A sweepstakes that includes a $10,000 cash grand prize + $10,000 donation to a charity of their choice from a list of selected charities. Also includes weekly secondary prize winners
Interactive Merry Movie Christmas Watch Parties every weekend with polls, quizzes and more chances to win Daily surprises ranging from smaller donations and bonus content to special messages from our Christmas stars via a digital advent calendar beginning in December
UPliftSomeone.com, the destination for viewers to recognize those who uplift others, will be the hub for holiday content. We will ask viewers to share videos of themselves uplifting others by surprise and delight gift giving to friends, family, or even strangers, to help spread Christmas joy to those who could use some uplifting spirit this season.
As in previous years, the My UPtv Movies app is available for viewers to download and is especially popular around the holidays to track movie viewing. The tracker app allows viewers to learn more about upcoming movies and series on the network, watch previews and request personalized showtime alerts. Viewers can also “favorite” movie titles to add to a personal collection to easily access them later, set calendar reminders and request notifications or text messages. As an exciting update later this year, the app will allow for polls and giveaways during Merry Movie Christmas airings. Download the app: uptv.com/myapp
In 2021, UPtv’s Christmas Movies reached 18.4 million P2+1 and 4 million viewers2 tuned in to GilMORE the Merrier.
UPtv’s holiday season programming highlights include:
MERRY MOVIE CHRISTMAS WEEKEND
Madison O'Hara performs as a singing elf for Christmas parties with her best friend Cooper, but her real dream is to be a singer-songwriter and to find the perfect man.
Stars: Alys Crocker, David Pinard
Christmas in the Pines – Saturday, Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. ET
As an up-and-coming magazine writer and a successful architect battle over ownership of an idyllic Christmas cottage, they soon discover that their cozy holiday getaway may not be the only thing they love.
Stars: Jillian Murray, Dean Geyer
Christmas Masquerade – Sunday, Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. ET
When Julieanne is mistaken for her glamorous boss at a Masquerade ball by a notoriously aloof businessman, she continues the ruse over Christmas. Will she be able to find real love in the makeshift Fairytale world they’ve created?
Stars: Erin Agostino, David Lafontaine
CHRISTMAS SPIRIT WEEKEND
The Christmas Retreat – Friday, Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. ET
When Kim’s boyfriend breaks up with her instead of proposing, her mom whisks her away to a Christmas retreat where she meets the owner’s unemployed brother, Mark. But will they be able to see past the mistakes neither one wants to admit to and let the magic of the season connect them?
Stars: Rhiannon Fish, Clayton James
A Tiny Home Christmas – Saturday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. ET
In order to save her family's contracting business, Blair reluctantly teams up with her ex-boyfriend and former co-star of a hit home design reality show to build a tiny home for the unsheltered in the community, rekindling old sparks in the process… and just in time for Christmas.
Stars: Rebecca Dalton, Christopher Seivright
The Picture of Christmas – Sunday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. ET
An aspiring storybook illustrator in Manhattan returns home after inheriting her Grandmother’s Christmas tree farm. Inspired by the magic of Christmas and the farm’s handsome caretaker, she is reminded of the things she once wanted in life.
Stars: Chelsea Hobbs, Giles Panton
SMALL TOWN CHRISTMAS WEEKEND
Josh Turner: King Size Manger Christmas Special – Friday, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. ET
Showcasing his unmistakable baritone voice, multiplatinum-selling recording artist and Grand Ole Opry member Josh Turner heralds in the holiday season with his unique interpretation of nostalgic classics and originals from his first-ever Christmas album, King Size Manger, plus an intimate sit-down interview hosted by Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase.
The Holiday Swap
Previous Title: The Holiday Switch – Saturday, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. ET
When two strangers mistakenly pick up the wrong piece of luggage at the airport, each must use the intriguing contents within to track down the other's whereabouts in time for Christmas.
Stars: Alex Paxton-Beesley, Morgan David Jones
Christmas Lucky Charm – Sunday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. ET
Every boyfriend Jessica has had found the love of his life right after he dated her. Just as Jessica leans into her unlucky love life and swears off dating for the Christmas season, a handsome gallery owner moves in across the street.
Stars: Sugenja Sri, Adrian Spencer
Small Town Christmas: The Harvest Special – Elijay, Ga. – Premieres Sunday, Nov. 20 at 9 p.m. ET (Premiere Series)
Hosted and Executive Produced by Inside Edition’s national correspondent and best-selling Author Megan Alexander, each episode takes viewers to a different small town around the country. Through food, drink, music, entertainment and faith, we will highlight local businesses and towns that are making the holiday season special in their own unique way. This episode features all things fall – apples, hay, changing leaves and pumpkins at Burt’s Pumpkin Farm in Elijay, Ga.
GilMORE the Merrier ultimate Gilmore Girls binge-a-thon
Monday, Nov. 21 at 10 a.m. ET – Sunday, Nov. 27 at 3 a.m. ET
GilMORE the Merrier, UPtv’s annual seven-day Gilmore Girls binge-a-thon of all 153 episodes plus the four movies, is back. This year, the marathon will be hosted by fan favorite Michael Winters as his character, town know-it-all Taylor Doose, along with watch and win trivia questions, special series recaps of all seven seasons, and pop-up trivia sprinkled throughout all four of the Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life movies.
CHRISTMAS ON THE SLOPES WEEKEND
Christmas in the Wilds – Friday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. ET
Buck and Jessica's merry little Christmas together takes a dangerous turn when their journey through the wild turns into a battle for survival.
Stars: Kaitlyn Leeb, Victor Zinck Jr.
Christmas on the Slopes – Saturday, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. ET
After a disappointing restaurant opening and an embarrassing break-up, a celebrity chef takes her first real Christmas vacation. When she wanders into the kitchen at a luxury resort and is mistaken for the sous chef by the handsome but grouchy, head chef, their chemistry sparks a holiday romance. But will everything blow up when the head chef learns the truth about her?
Stars: Olivier Renaud, Soma Chhaya
Christmas on the Rocks – Sunday, Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. ET
A ski-lodge event manager's task of hosting a corporate Christmas party goes awry when the resort is cut off by a snowstorm and the hard-to-please CEO turns out to be an old flame.
Stars: Lyla Porter-Follows, Jon McLaren
Small Town Christmas: Pigeon Forge, Tenn. - Premieres Sunday, Dec. 4 at 9 p.m. ET (Premiere Series)
Hosted and Executive Produced by Inside Edition’s national correspondent and best-selling Author Megan Alexander, each episode takes viewers to a different small town around the country. Through food, drink, music, entertainment and faith, we will highlight local businesses and towns that are making Christmas special in their own unique way. This episode highlights the Christmas magic at Dollywood.
CHRISTMAS UNDERCOVER
A Royal Christmas Match – Saturday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. ET
Princess Camille travels to America to create a cross-cultural college exchange program and falls for Professor Rhett. But when she discovers he was hired by her father to escort her, aka babysit her, she wonders if he cares more about her or his career.
Stars: Jordana Largy, Matthew MacCaull
Santa’s Got Style – Sunday, Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. ET
When department store executive Madison is charged with coming up with a fresh idea for the holiday season, she decides that instead of a classic Santa, this year they would hire a young Santa with lots of fashionable styles. But when she has difficulty finding the perfect model, her long-time best friend Ethan (who has been in love with her for years) throws on a beard and disguises himself as the Santa of her dreams.
Stars: Franco Lo Presti, Kathryn Davis
Small Town Christmas: North Pole, Alaska - Premieres Sunday, Dec. 11 at 9 p.m. ET (Premiere Series)
Hosted and Executive Produced by Inside Edition’s national correspondent and best-selling Author Megan Alexander, each episode takes viewers to a different small town around the country. Through food, drink, music, entertainment and faith, we will highlight local businesses and towns that are making Christmas special in their own unique way. This episode takes place in North Pole, Alaska, and features the Santa Claus House and the world’s tallest Santa Claus statue.
SAVING CHRISTMAS WEEKEND
Sappy Holiday – Saturday, Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. ET
Stranded in a small town after her car breaks down, Joy meets the charming James, a local trying to save his family’s maple farm.
Stars: Vanessa Sears, Jon McLaren
An Eclectic Christmas – Sunday, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. ET
When a small-town vintage store owner leaves instructions in her will for inventory to be distributed as Christmas gifts, her out-of-town niece seeks help from a handsome local in identifying recipients from the clues provided.
Stars: Hannah Gallway, Jeremy Walmsley
Small Town Christmas: Frostburg, Md. - Premieres Sunday, Dec. 18 at 9 p.m. ET (Premiere Series)
Hosted and Executive Produced by Inside Edition’s national correspondent and best-selling Author Megan Alexander, each episode takes viewers to a different small town around the country. Through food, drink, music, entertainment and faith, we will highlight local businesses and towns that are making Christmas special in their own unique way. Frostburg, Md. is a storybook town come to life. For the past 15 years, the local college students dress up as Elves and compete in Christmas cookie toss, snowball fights, Christmas tree relay, “Elfaoke” and more to support a charity in the “Elf Olympics.”
SNOWED IN CHRISTMAS WEEKEND
The Snowball Effect - Saturday, Dec. 24 at 7 p.m. ET
Rival meteorologists tracking a massive snowstorm in the town of Mistletoe must work together to get home in time for Christmas.
Stars: Anjali Khurana, Landon Moss
Christmas in Wolf Creek - Sunday, Dec. 25 at 7 p.m. ET
When a runaway reindeer threatens the annual Christmas play, a struggling couple must work together to save Christmas for the town and each other.
Stars: Nola Martin, Tim Rozon
1Nielsen, L7D, Christmas Movies 11/5/21-12/25/21 Total Day M-Su-6a-6a, P2+, Reach 1 min qual.
2 Unduplicated reach P2+ 11/22-11/28/21 M 10:00am – Su 3:00am
# # #
About UP Entertainment
UP Entertainment, home to UPtv, AspireTV, AspireTV Life, UP Faith & Family and Cine Romántico, is the destination for uplifting entertainment for passionate and diverse audiences across the leading cable, satellite and streaming platforms. UPtv is the trusted network for adults seeking positive programming with relatable stories about relationships, filled with love and laughter, through exclusive premiere movies, box-office hit films and beloved series. AspireTV is the premier network for Black culture and urban lifestyle programming featuring original productions in food, home and fashion. AspireTV Life is the first free ad supported streaming television (FAST) channel dedicated to sharing the experiences of the multicultural audience through cooking, fashion, travel, design and more. UP Faith & Family is the leading streaming service in uplifting entertainment and includes exclusive access to original productions from the UP Entertainment family of brands. Additionally, UP Entertainment in partnership with PixL Dos, manages and distributes Cine Romántico, a free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channel featuring the best of Hollywood TV romance movies in Spanish. UP Entertainment’s award-winning pro-social initiative, “UPlift Someone,” has inspired over 200 million people to uplift others through its social videos and dedicated UPlift Someone Facebook page and website.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Kristina Stafford Kelly
KKelly@upentertainment.com
770.692.9939
Emilie Erskine
323.644.6829
emilie@erskinepr.com
Christina Garvin
805.350.0408
christina@sundaripr.com
************ End of Press Release ************
Oh my goodness... so many wonderful movies are coming our way from UPtv! Which movie are you looking forward to seeing during UPtv's Christmas movie event? So many look good to me, including Christmas Masquerade, A Royal Christmas Match, The Picture of Christmas, and more! Please share your movie picks in comments below.
I have seen Christmas in the Pines and Christmas in the Wilds - both films are family-friendly!
I'm also looking forward to Josh Turner's musical special - since it will focus on the true meaning of Christmas!
Joyous Blessings! Net 🎄
I'm loving this! 17 new movies from UP is awesome, plus Josh Turner! I watched a few of those Small Town Christmas specials last year and was hoping they would bring it back. The Picture of Christmas looks good to me too.
ReplyDeleteWhoa, I'm looking forward to all of these! -Maria
ReplyDeleteI’ll watch Royal Christmas Match
ReplyDeleteWhoever expected UPtv to steal a march on everyone and declare first?
ReplyDeleteBut the number - I don't want to be always complaining but in some ways 17 is far too many - how on earth am I going to get the time to watch them all!
I see several from Reel One plus other sources.
I've seen several of these before and it's going to take me a while to digest all of this but most of these look pretty good.
No word yet on the October line-up since we got word they were changing their schedule. - Florence
Quite hard to find out information about a lot of these.
ReplyDeleteA good proportion are from Brian Power Studios whom I am not familiar with and four from Reel One.
Thrilled to see The Christmas Retreat which was on my Christmas movie wish list but sadly no Christmas Plus One with Corey Sevier, I don't think this looks as if it will turn up anywhere.
If they're showing Christmas In Wolf Creek it surely means they are still intending to air Love In Wolf Creek in October.
Of the ones I've seen I wouldn't recommend Unperfect Christmas Wish, pretty dull and silly but others can make up their own minds.
Christmas In The Pines was really good and I was so-so about Christmas InThe Wilds which has been held over from last year although I know some here are fans of Victor Zinc Jr who should enjoy it.
The great news for me is that most of them don't look to be single parents, sadly though Giles Panton is in The Picture Of Christmas.
Overall I think the line-up looks very promising and I'm intrigued to see what The Holiday Switch entails.
Although I'm not a big fan of Lifetime I'm really hoping they will come through with some titles I have been looking forward to. - Florence
Here are links to trailers for some of the movies:
ReplyDeleteA Christmas Masquerade
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jgsn0vjF2Q&t=5s
The Christmas Retreat
www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9EbL_T-VEM&t=1s
A Royal Christmas Match
www.youtube.com/watch?v=W659lJ1KOT0
The Picture Of Christmas
www.youtube.com/watch?v=P18Tk_tOz8A
A Tiny Home Christmas
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJ4R4scLycE&t=16s
Sappy Holiday
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIQEOCW3R3c
Florence
Josh Turner's Christmas special is what makes me excited. He appears to love the Lord with his whole heart.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad they are bringing back "Small town Christmas" this season.
ReplyDeleteNet, you are going to have your hands full with all of the premiers this year! 😂
ReplyDeleteI missed this post. There are some gems in there.
ReplyDeleteDarn I was really hoping for another Very Country Christmas Movie they are my favourite movies
ReplyDeleteChristmas in the Pines.
ReplyDeleteOh, I loved it!! This was hilarious and heartwarming. The type of feel-good Christmas movie that has everything you want. Love the family aspects as much as the romance. Unique storyline, which wasn't too believable at first (the whole real estate mishap) but still super fun to watch. Jillian Murray is charming and so likeable. Ariel and Mark were adorable together. Love the sweet chemistry. If I can be picky, Ariel's parents just seem a bit too young to me. But I love the dinner prayer where they mention the name of Jesus, FINALLY! I haven't seen many movies this year but this was the best one I've seen so far this year by far.
CH Mom, Yes, I agree... that prayer was so beautiful! It was such a wonderful moment of the families coming together. Thank you for sharing this review and the many others recently. Always so good to hear your take on these movies, too. Bless you! :)
DeleteThe Picture of Christmas: Very nice movie! Plus the kid was really cute.
ReplyDeleteThe Christmas Retreat: Delightful movie! Definitely recommend. -Maria
To Net: I just finished watching Christmas Lucky Charm on UPtv and there was a short segment in the bakery where the young lady baker was discussing her wedding cakes with a male couple. I'm sure others may have reported this, but just wanted to let you know. Thanks for all you do.
ReplyDeleteThe Holiday Swap. This one is not for me but I’m sure others will like it. My time and my dvr space is very limited, so I’m just maybe being a little too picky?? The 30+ minutes I watched were basically family friendly, except for fact that the lead actress is visiting and staying with her bff and bff’s longtime boyfriend who appear to be living together in the lodge that they’re opening together, but it’s all a bit vague (so far). From the get-go, the movie was a bit odd and confusing, somehow melodramatic and blah at the same time, and the acting was a bit stiff, but still worth watching for light entertainment. Well… until the tree scene… which was good for a laugh, but also pushed me to hit the delete button. The lead actress and her ex-boyfriend go to the woods to cut down a Christmas tree for the big “Snowy Ball” or dance or whatever it is. They’re in the woods and it’s obviously… summertime -- with all the dense, lush greenery and weeds and flowers. And there you see every few feet someone has placed fake, scrawny, blue-green Christmas trees with fake snow sprinkled on them and they stand out like a sore thumb against the lush, yellow-green summer grasses and trees. They don’t wear gloves or hats or anything while “cutting down” their tree. They then get in the truck. She says “It’s freezing!”. (Wait, what???) He goes to start the truck and the battery won’t turn over. She says, in a scared and confused, overly dramatic tone “What’s happening??”. He says… (wait for it…) “The battery’s dead.” (Well, duh!!!!!) She says, in the same dramatic, scared tone, “Well, what are we gonna do??” He says, “There’s an old shed nearby and at least we can build a fire there.” (Yup, I’m thinking that will help to keep them warm in the blazing summertime sunshine!! LOL!) Conveniently, he doesn’t own a cell phone and her phone battery is dead and she discovered yesterday that NO ONE (including her bff and bff’s boyfriend -- both of whom are opening a lodge for paying guests!) and NO SHOP in the entire town has any kind of cell phone cords or battery chargers and “Amazon doesn’t deliver here” --- my eyeballs are rolling so much they’re about to get stuck up in my head! So, this is the point where I decided to cut the cord. I can only take so much melodramatic cheesiness. Oh, and you know how in movies there is occasional background music that you usually don’t even realize is happening (if they do it right!)? It plays soft or loud or dramatic or creepy or melancholy or joyful or whatever, depending on the situation and how the director wants you to feel. In this particular movie, it's way too loud and obvious; it’s almost a constant melodramatic presence that doesn’t even fit the scenes, and it did not evoke any feeling for me other than annoyance. I like the movie premise of mixing up luggage on a plane and think, if done right, it could be a fun movie. But, for me, this one was just too weirdly over-dramatic and odd and slow, but I think if others are not being as picky as me, they could maybe find it to be fun (?). Oh, well, on to the next one on the dvr.
ReplyDelete~~Jane
The Picture of Christmas. Sweet movie, not a keeper for me but I think others will really like it. Family friendly. Nice setting on a Christmas tree farm and a cute town with cozy shops and all the usual wonderful town folks who pitch in to help save the day. The lead actress annoyed me a time or two and sometimes had a melancholy presence; I liked the lead actor (although, I wasn’t buying him as a father to a young girl); and the little girl is absolutely adorables (but completely unbelievably mature for her age). Honestly, if you’re really short on time but just need a Christmas movie “fix”, just watch the two-minute trailer that’s out there for this movie (it’s one of those trailers that shows the entire movie), you’ll get the whole thing in a cozy nutshell with all the high points and none of the annoying low points -- all the Christmastime “feels” in under three minutes!! 😉 🎄
ReplyDelete~~Jane
The Christmas Retreat. Nothing unique but it was a sweet, lighthearted, warm movie that will stay on the dvr for now, until I run out of space. I liked all the actors, they felt natural; the lead actress’s character is unlikeable in the beginning but she gradually changes. Family friendly. One odd statement that “trees grow, breathe and communicate just like us” – huh???!? Nope, sorry, they really don’t.
ReplyDelete~~Jane
An Eclectic Christmas (aka? A Vintage Christmas). I watched 45 minutes and couldn't take anymore than that. It had potential to be cute, but I just wasn't feeling it. The movie was way too slooow, it felt like the whole cast (especially the lead actress) needed an iv infusion of caffeine to perk them up and make them more vibrant characters. It's possible it improved in the second half (?) and I imagine others who are more patient than myself will like the movie. The part I watched was family friendly.
ReplyDelete~~Jane
The Snowball Effect. I found it to be quite slow and only made it a little over halfway through the movie before hitting the delete button. The lead actress is beautiful but her character was way too cold/aloof/driven/borderline-rude/self-centered and I would've liked to see her character start warming up a bit more (at least by the halfway point of the movie!). There is an innkeeper who is just odd and rather stiff, almost like she's not really an actress but some bigwig in Hollywood called in a favor and got their mother a part in the movie?! And the premise of the WHOLE town no longer "doing" Christmas and everyone is afraid to even mention Christmas or festivities is absolutely ridiculous and too far over-the-top. It's possible all got better in the second half but I didn't want to stick around and find out. What I saw was family friendly and I imagine others (who are not as over-the-top critical as me :)) will enjoy this movie as a light, fun, one-time watch.
ReplyDelete~~Jane
Jane, I just wanted to let you know how appreciative I am for your wonderful, insightful, witty reviews. You are always so great at sharing your take. Thank you for adding in these reviews for UPtv movies and so many others!!!
DeleteYou also mentioned in another comment how it effects you when you learn about actors in real-life, and I wanted you to know I feel the same. While I still watch movies, sometimes, with actors I don't necessarily agree with, it often spoils my enjoyment, too.
Hopefully, there will be many good ones in 2023!
Blessings & Happy New Year to you!!!
This is my 2nd full year of watching UP TV's holiday lineup, and this was a great lineup! Only skipped 3 movies this year.
ReplyDeleteHere's my rankings of the ones I watched:
#1, Christmas in the Wilds
#2, Christmas in Wolf Creek
#3, The Christmas Retreat
#4, A Royal Christmas Match
#5, Christmas in the Pines
#6, Unperfect Christmas Wish
#7, A Christmas Masquerade
#8, Santa's Got Style
#9, The Snowball Effect
#10, Christmas on the Slopes
#11, The Picture of Christmas
#12, A Tiny Home Christmas
-Maria
Maria, Thank you for sharing your UPtv Christmas movie countdown with us! I haven't seen all of these yet, but I'm grateful to get your view on the best and worst.
DeleteSappy Holiday. I missed this movie last year (2022) and just caught it on Roku. It was very sweet with a warm family atmosphere and a nice, maple-syrup farm setting with a beautiful house. Cute for a comfortable, cozy, one-time watch. Family friendly. ~~Jane
ReplyDelete