Flip the hourglass, it's time to look back in time...
As I write to you this afternoon, we have a gorgeous snowfall outside our window. It is so picturesque; it makes me feel like singing, Walkin' in a Winter Wonderland! We've had so little snow this past November and December; it is a welcome sight from the safety and warmth inside on this cozy Saturday afternoon. My heart does go out to those who must work and travel in it, though. Be safe, everyone, if you live in one of the places receiving snow or bad weather today.
Seeing the snow outside truly puts my mind back into the Christmas spirit, with reminiscing thoughts of Snow Days and White Christmases of the past. What a perfect time this is to reflect on the Christmas movies from 2023.
In their latest press release, Hallmark shares their grand accomplishment of high ratings success over the 2023 holiday season:
[Press Release - excerpt via Hallmark Media:]
"Hallmark Channel rings in the new year by celebrating its title as the #1 most-watched entertainment cable network of 2023 among key demographics. The channel’s Countdown to Christmas holiday programming event continued its annual domination of the cable charts last quarter, elevating it to be the most-watched entertainment cable network in Q4 among Women 18+ for an entire decade running.
The 31 all-new Countdown to Christmas premieres lifted Hallmark Channel’s holiday programming to be the #1 most-watched program on entertainment cable
among key demos throughout its 9-week run. The network’s standout original holiday movie premiere, A
Merry Scottish Christmas starring Party of Five costars Lacey Chabert and Scott Wolf, set records across
the cable industry as the #1 most-watched cable movie of the year in 2023.
What’s more, sister network
Hallmark Movies & Mysteries was the #2 most-watched entertainment network – second to only Hallmark
Channel – among key demos during the holiday season in December 2023."
While A Merry Scottish Christmas was the Hallmark Channel's number #1 movie in ratings with 3.33 million viewers, A Biltmore Christmas, starring Bethany Joy Lenz and Kristoffer Polaha, was a very close second with 3.12 million viewers, and in third place, was Christmas Island, starring Rachel Skarsten and Andrew Walker, with 2.62 million viewers.
Whether you loved all three movies or not is basically irrelevant. All that matters truly, when it comes to ratings - is that you watched the movie.
Of course, there's the question now of whether or not we were entertained as viewers with enough holiday films with heart and humor to return to the Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries next year? For me, the answer is... yes! Even though I am hesitant these days when it comes to watching most network and cable television, Hallmark has continued to produce numerous heartwarming stories that my family and I have been easily drawn to. As might be expected, there were some I didn't care for, as well (and I'm sure many of you felt the same), but a higher majority were likable and enticing enough to garner my full attention and make me look forward again to this upcoming Christmas!
As for Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, I'm pleased to say that their number #1 Christmas movie (and movie in general) for 2023, according to ratings, was the Day Spring presentation, Miracle in Bethlehem, PA., starring Laura Vandervoort and Benjamin Ayres, with 1.91 million viewers! (I must say, I find it to be peculiar that Hallmark didn't even mention this title in their press release. Any thoughts?) Heaven Down Here came in second with 1.38 million viewers, and third place was nearly a tie with 1.35 million viewers for To All a Good Night and 1.30 million viewers for Mystery on Mistletoe Lane.
I sincerely hope, based on the ratings success of Miracle in Bethlehem, PA, and Heaven Down Here, that networks can see how viewers are drawn to inspirational films that contain unique characters, uplifting stories, and elements of faith!
Blessings to You All!
I'll just be here singing...
"Walkin' in a Winter Wonderland"! ❄🎶
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