Holiday TV Movies & (Non-Rankin Bass) Holiday Specials - General Discussion

[TVFan17]

The most recent changes to Hallmark's ever-evolving Christmas movie line-ups, although I certainly do not think that these will be the last changes....

Miracles of Christmas on the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Channel (still 16 movies, but some of them have been moved to different dates) -- https://www.hallmarkmoviesandmysteries.com/miracles-of-christmas/new-movies-2019

Countdown to Christmas on the Hallmark Channel (up to 25 movies now, and titles have moved to different dates) -- https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/christmas/new-movies-countdown-to-christmas-2019

[Was-MArsenault]

16 minutes ago, TVFan17 said:

The most recent changes to Hallmark's ever-evolving Christmas movie line-ups, although I certainly do not think that these will be the last changes....

Miracles of Christmas on the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Channel (still 16 movies, but some of them have been moved to different dates) -- https://www.hallmarkmoviesandmysteries.com/miracles-of-christmas/new-movies-2019

Countdown to Christmas on the Hallmark Channel (up to 25 movies now, and titles have moved to different dates) -- https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/christmas/new-movies-countdown-to-christmas-2019

Does Hallmark Drama have a schedule for their Christmas lineup?

[TVFan17]

5 minutes ago, MikaelaArsenault said:

Does Hallmark Drama have a schedule for their Christmas lineup?

Hallmark Drama is not premiering any new movies -- at least, not that have been announced at this point -- so they've only got the new Christmas Cookie Matchup mini-competition series, which starts sometime in November (I think the originally announced date has already changed), and the Project Christmas Joy: Alabama special airing in December.

Last time I checked, Hallmark Drama is also airing some Hall of Fame Christmas movies too, such as November Christmas, A Season for Miracles, Fallen Angel, Silver Bells, etc. (unless the schedule changes again!).

But I don't think Hallmark Drama will have the same kind of all day/all night Christmas schedule like the schedules on the first two channels.

[Was-MArsenault]

Just now, TVFan17 said:

Hallmark Drama is not premiering any new movies -- at least, not that have been announced at this point -- so they've only got the new Christmas Cookie Matchup mini-competition series, which starts sometime in November (I think the originally announced date has already changed), and the Project Christmas Joy: Alabama special airing in December.

Last time I checked, Hallmark Drama is also airing some Hall of Fame Christmas movies too, such as November Christmas, A Season for Miracles, Fallen Angel, Silver Bells, etc. (unless the schedule changes again!).

But I don't think Hallmark Drama will have the same kind of all day/all night Christmas schedule like the schedules on the first two channels.

Interesting. Nice to see some Hall of Fame movies on there.

[JenMD]

On 9/12/2019 at 4:09 PM, TVFan17 said:

Last time I checked, Hallmark Drama is also airing some Hall of Fame Christmas movies too, such as November Christmas, A Season for Miracles,

Woo!  Just found Hallmark Drama has been added (thanks for the heads up @MikaelaArsenault!) so I get to see A Season For Miracles without having to subscribe to the app for a month.  Awesome.  Now they just need to include A Dog Named Christmas and my Christmas movie watching will be complete.

[Was-MArsenault]

3 minutes ago, JenMD said:

Woo!  Just found Hallmark Drama has been added (thanks for the heads up @MikaelaArsenault!) so I get to see A Season For Miracles without having to subscribe to the app for a month.  Awesome.  Now they just need to include A Dog Named Christmas and my Christmas movie watching will be complete.

You're welcome @JenMD!

[TVFan17]

5 hours ago, JenMD said:

Woo!  Just found Hallmark Drama has been added (thanks for the heads up @MikaelaArsenault!) so I get to see A Season For Miracles without having to subscribe to the app for a month.  Awesome.  Now they just need to include A Dog Named Christmas and my Christmas movie watching will be complete.

 A Dog Named Christmas has two showtimes on Hallmark Drama so far (October 26th and October 30th).  I wouldn't be shocked if they add more in Nov-Dec, but it might depend on whether they are still showing them on the Hallmark Movies Now streaming app too --

https://www.hallmarkdrama.com/a-dog-named-christmas

Edited September 15, 2019 by TVFan17

[JenMD]

Awesome, thanks @TVFan17!

[TVFan17]

It is beginning to look as though the elusive Hallmark Drama channel is going to offer a more extensive Christmas movie schedule than originally expected.   It's way too early to tell what the schedule will be all through November and December, but someone on Facebook noticed that there is a round-the-clock schedule at the end of October, and the movies being shown seem to be oldies that were pulled off of the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Channel and from the Hallmark Movies Now streaming service, including Farewell, Mr. Kringle, What I Did for Love, The Santa Suit, The Three Gifts, and many, many more oldies and Hall of Fame Christmas movies.

Not only is Hallmark Drama going into full Christmas movie mode too, but the Hallmark Movies Now streaming app is supposedly going to add 2 new-to-Hallmark Christmas movies every week during the holiday season.  They claim that these movies have never aired on any Hallmark channel or service.  So I would guess that they are showing more movies from other networks (since they already do that anyway), and they might also be showing some movies that were filmed independently, but have not yet been claimed by any network.

Edited September 22, 2019 by TVFan17

[Was-MArsenault]

8 hours ago, TVFan17 said:

It is beginning to look as though the elusive Hallmark Drama channel is going to offer a more extensive Christmas movie schedule than originally expected.   It's way too early to tell what the schedule will be all through November and December, but someone on Facebook noticed that there is a round-the-clock schedule at the end of October, and the movies being shown seem to be oldies that were pulled off of the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Channel and from the Hallmark Movies Now streaming service, including Farewell, Mr. Kringle, What I Did for Love, The Santa Suit, The Three Gifts, and many, many more oldies and Hall of Fame Christmas movies.

Not only is Hallmark Drama going into full Christmas movie mode too, but the Hallmark Movies Now streaming app is supposedly going to add 2 new-to-Hallmark Christmas movies every week during the holiday season.  They claim that these movies have never aired on any Hallmark channel or service.  So I would guess that they are showing more movies from other networks (since they already do that anyway), and they might also be showing some movies that were filmed independently, but have not yet been claimed by any network.

I can't wait to see them.

[TVFan17]

UPtv finally jumped into the Christmas movie mix for this year, and they have increased their number of new Christmas movies to 10 this time around --

https://people.com/tv/uptv-2019-christmas-programming/

[kirinan]

5 hours ago, TVFan17 said:

UPtv finally jumped into the Christmas movie mix for this year, and they have increased their number of new Christmas movies to 10 this time around --

https://people.com/tv/uptv-2019-christmas-programming/

Hmm. "A Christmas Movie Christmas" has a cute premise, and I want to watch "Baby in a Manger" because I know Dana Nussio, who wrote the book it's based on. But the other ones seem like same stories, different channel. You never know though; sometimes a good movie strikes when you're least expecting it.

[Was-MArsenault]

Does anyone know the Christmas movie schedules for the following?

Hallmark Drama

Hallmark Movies & Mysteries

Hallmark Channel

Lifetime

[MissyPoo]

8 hours ago, MikaelaArsenault said:

Does anyone know the Christmas movie schedules for the following?

Hallmark Drama

Hallmark Movies & Mysteries

Hallmark Channel

Lifetime

This page has current premiere dates and stars of the movies from those channels toward the bottom: https://sleepykittypaws.tumblr.com/post/175342598404/2019-tv-holiday-premieres

Most of them have released one sheets for printing but still waiting on Lifetime to release theirs (though their website has dates and pics on them).  I went ahead and made a list of my potentials in a notepad.  40 movies. Whew! And I still have a few from last year to watch.

[Was-MArsenault]

10 minutes ago, MissyPoo said:

This page has current premiere dates and stars of the movies from those channels toward the bottom: https://sleepykittypaws.tumblr.com/post/175342598404/2019-tv-holiday-premieres

Most of them have released one sheets for printing but still waiting on Lifetime to release theirs (though their website has dates and pics on them).  I went ahead and made a list of my potentials in a notepad.  40 movies. Whew! And I still have a few from last year to watch.

Thank you!

[TVFan17]

On 9/24/2019 at 7:48 AM, MikaelaArsenault said:

Does anyone know the Christmas movie schedules for the following?

Hallmark Drama

Hallmark Movies & Mysteries

Hallmark Channel

Lifetime

I would stick to the official websites for Hallmark and Lifetime, for the most recent changes/removals/additions.   Their full 'round-the-clock holiday schedules have not been populated yet (at least not beyond the end of October).

As for new movies...

Hallmark continues to change things, and sometimes those changes appear on their website before any unofficial sources notice them --

Countdown to Christmas slideshow/preview -- https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/christmas/countdown-to-christmas-2019-preview/

Countdown to Christmas print-out -- https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/christmas/new-movies-countdown-to-christmas-2019

Miracles of Christmas slideshow/preview -- https://www.hallmarkmoviesandmysteries.com/miracles-of-christmas/miracles-of-christmas-2019-preview/

Miracles of Christmas print-out -- https://www.hallmarkmoviesandmysteries.com/miracles-of-christmas/new-movies-2019


Lifetime is currently only listing 25 movies (down from the 27 that were on the page for a while), but that will likely change again -- https://www.mylifetime.com/christmas-movies/full-schedule

And if you want an unofficial source, Net at It's a Wonderful Movie will eventually have the entire Christmas schedule filled in -- in other words, not just the new movie premieres, but the older Christmas movies airing around the clock on Hallmark's channels and some other channels as well.  She hasn't filled in the entire schedule yet because everything is still in the works on the networks' side, apparently, but she will add showtimes for movies -- old and new -- on this page -- https://itsawonderfulmovie.blogspot.com/2014/09/christmas-movie-tv-schedule-hallmark-up.html

[Was-MArsenault]

39 minutes ago, TVFan17 said:

I would stick to the official websites for Hallmark and Lifetime, for the most recent changes/removals/additions.   Their full 'round-the-clock holiday schedules have not been populated yet (at least not beyond the end of October).

As for new movies...

Hallmark continues to change things, and sometimes those changes appear on their website before any unofficial sources notice them --

Countdown to Christmas slideshow/preview -- https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/christmas/countdown-to-christmas-2019-preview/

Countdown to Christmas print-out -- https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/christmas/new-movies-countdown-to-christmas-2019

Miracles of Christmas slideshow/preview -- https://www.hallmarkmoviesandmysteries.com/miracles-of-christmas/miracles-of-christmas-2019-preview/

Miracles of Christmas print-out -- https://www.hallmarkmoviesandmysteries.com/miracles-of-christmas/new-movies-2019


Lifetime is currently only listing 25 movies (down from the 27 that were on the page for a while), but that will likely change again -- https://www.mylifetime.com/christmas-movies/full-schedule

And if you want an unofficial source, Net at It's a Wonderful Movie will eventually have the entire Christmas schedule filled in -- in other words, not just the new movie premieres, but the older Christmas movies airing around the clock on Hallmark's channels and some other channels as well.  She hasn't filled in the entire schedule yet because everything is still in the works on the networks' side, apparently, but she will add showtimes for movies -- old and new -- on this page -- https://itsawonderfulmovie.blogspot.com/2014/09/christmas-movie-tv-schedule-hallmark-up.html

Thanks.

[TVFan17]

Hallmark Drama's collection of holiday movies and specials is now being referred to as "Home for the Holidays" - https://www.hallmarkdrama.com/videos/home-for-the-holidays-hallmark-drama

I am still not sure of what the entire array of Christmas movies on Hallmark Drama will be, but I know they have added Angels and Ornaments (from 2014) to the line-up.

I think they are still adding to the list, but this page seems to be a good indicator of a lot of the Christmas movies that will be airing on Hallmark Drama -- https://www.hallmarkdrama.com/movies

[MissyPoo]

Sweet! I see they are showing A Season for Miracles, A Diva's Christmas Carol, and Ms. Scrooge on there. Glad to see them and a few more faves returning to the channels in some capacity. Reminds me of old school Hallmark Channel!

[TVFan17]

Just now, MissyPoo said:

Sweet! I see they are showing A Season for Miracles, A Diva's Christmas Carol, and Ms. Scrooge on there. Glad to see them and a few more faves returning to the channels in some capacity. Reminds me of old school Hallmark Channel!

There are a couple of titles I have searched on the Hallmark site that still have no current showtimes at all, on any of the 3 linear channels -- and they are usually shown every year.   I am assuming those are going to end up on the dreaded streaming app at some point, before eventually circling back around and landing on Hallmark Drama in a couple of years.

And I can see already, when randomly searching the titles of some of my favorite Hallmark Christmas movies, that a few of them are getting buried in the overnight or early morning hours. 

I HATE that they schedule things that way every year.  I just looked up one movie that has 6 scheduled showtimes so far (for Oct & Nov, but nothing for December yet), and all 6 of those showtimes are in the morning, with a few of those morning showtimes at hours when most people probably would not be watching. 

I never understand why Hallmark does that.  Out of 6 showtimes for a single movie in Oct-Nov, they can't make ONE of them an early evening showtime, or a middle-of-the-afternoon weekend showtime?  Why are they ALL in the morning?   This is why half of their viewers never seem to have any idea that certain movies are being shown each year -- because Hallmark buries a lot of movies at times when no one knows they are there, instead of rotating them around the schedule so each movie gets to air at a time when more people might catch it!

[MissyPoo]

Ugh that really burns my cookies. And I know Hallmark knows many of those buried movies are people's faves. They say so every year on their FB page. So annoying. I'm glad Slingtv lets viewers go back so, times don't really matter but not everyone allows that perk.

In other news, Lifetime just swung a sneaky guerilla move. Christmas movies are on this week. This is not a drill. I just happened to turn to Lifetime to sift through their schedule and saw a lineup. Their little logo says 'It's a Wonderful Lifetime' still starts on the 25th, but looking at this week's schedule, they started the marathon a whole week early!

[In2You]

1 hour ago, MissyPoo said:

Ugh that really burns my cookies. And I know Hallmark knows many of those buried movies are people's faves. They say so every year on their FB page. So annoying. I'm glad Slingtv lets viewers go back so, times don't really matter but not everyone allows that perk.

In other news, Lifetime just swung a sneaky guerilla move. Christmas movies are on this week. This is not a drill. I just happened to turn to Lifetime to sift through their schedule and saw a lineup. Their little logo says 'It's a Wonderful Lifetime' still starts on the 25th, but looking at this week's schedule, they started the marathon a whole week early!

They've been playing Christmas movies all month. My mom told me a couple weeks ago she was watching the Lifetime Christmas movies.

[MissyPoo]

4 minutes ago, In2You said:

They've been playing Christmas movies all month. My mom told me a couple weeks ago she was watching the Lifetime Christmas movies.

Dang. I didn't even realize they started so early. Guess they really wanted to get a head start this year.

[Was-MArsenault]

21 hours ago, MissyPoo said:

Sweet! I see they are showing A Season for Miracles, A Diva's Christmas Carol, and Ms. Scrooge on there. Glad to see them and a few more faves returning to the channels in some capacity. Reminds me of old school Hallmark Channel!

And no Ebbie.

Edited October 15, 2019 by MikaelaArsenault

[TVFan17]

There are 6 new holiday movies coming to Netflix, along with some series and specials.   Here is the link to the EW article -- https://ew.com/tv/2019/10/15/netflix-holiday-movies-tv-shows/

Quote

MOVIES

Holiday in the Wild (Nov. 1)
Stars: Rob Lowe, Kristin Davis
Official logline: “To keep her spirits high when their son leaves for college, Manhattanite Kate Conrad (Davis) has booked a ‘second honeymoon’ with her husband. Instead of thanking her, he brings their relationship to a sudden end; jilted Kate proceeds to Africa for a solo safari. During a detour through Zambia, she helps her pilot, Derek Holliston (Lowe), rescue an orphaned baby elephant. They nurse him back to health at a local elephant sanctuary, and Kate extends her stay through Christmastime. Far from the modern luxuries of home, Kate thrives amidst majestic animals and scenery. Her love for the new surroundings just might extend to the man who shared her journey.”

Let it Snow (Nov. 8 )
Stars: Isabela Merced, Shameik Moore, Odeya Rush, Liv Hewson, Mitchell Hope, Kiernan Shipka, Jacob Batalon, Joan Cusack
Official logline: “When a snowstorm hits a small midwestern town on Christmas Eve, a group of high school seniors find their friendships and love lives colliding thanks to a stranded pop star, a stolen keg, a squad of competitive dancers, a mysterious woman covered in tin foil, and an epic party at the local Waffle Town. Come Christmas morning, nothing will be the same.”

Klaus (Nov. 15)
Stars: Jason Schwartzman, Rashida Jones, J.K. Simmons, Joan Cusack, Will Sasso, Norm Macdonald
Official logline: “When Jesper (Schwartzman) distinguishes himself as the postal academy’s worst student, he is stationed on a frozen island above the Arctic Circle, where the feuding locals hardly exchange words let alone letters. Jesper is about to give up when he finds an ally in local teacher Alva (Jones), and discovers Klaus (Simmons), a mysterious carpenter who lives alone in a cabin full of handmade toys. These unlikely friendships return laughter to Smeerensburg, forging a new legacy of generous neighbors, magical lore and stockings hung by the chimney with care.”

The Knight Before Christmas (Nov. 21)
Stars: Vanessa Hudgens, Josh Whitehouse, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Isabelle Franca, Ella Kenion, Jean-Michel Le Gal
Official logline: “After a magical sorceress transports medieval knight Sir Cole (Whitehouse) to present-day Ohio during the holiday season, he befriends Brooke (Hudgens), a clever and kind science teacher who’s been disillusioned by love. Brooke helps Sir Cole navigate the modern world and helps him discover how to fulfill his mysterious one true quest — the only act that will return him home. But as he and Brooke grow closer, Sir Cole begins to wonder just how much he wants to return to his old life.”

Holiday Rush (Nov. 28)
Stars: Romany Malco, Sonequa Martin-Green, Darlene Love
Official logline: “Popular New York radio DJ Rush Williams (Malco) has been spoiling his four children since they lost their mom. Unfortunately, the kids share their pricey Christmas lists right when he loses his job. To keep Rush on the air, his producer Roxy Richardson (Martin-Green) and his Aunt Jo (Love) plan to help him buy another station — if the Williams family can downsize fast and embrace a simpler life. In this heartwarming film, a loving father reconnects with his children and opens his heart to love when they all learn that true joy comes from not what you have but who you have around you.”

A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby (Dec. 5)
Stars: Rose McIver, Ben Lamb, Momo Yeung
Official logline: “It’s Christmastime in Aldovia, and a royal baby is on the way! Queen Amber (McIver) and King Richard (Lamb) are getting ready to take some time off to prepare for their first child’s arrival, but first they have to host King Tai (Kevin Shen) and Queen Ming (Yeung) of Penglia to renew a 600-year-old sacred truce. But when the priceless treaty goes missing, peace is jeopardized and an ancient curse looms. Amber will have to figure out who the thief is before the clock strikes midnight on Christmas Eve, for the safety of her family and the kingdom. 

***********  

SERIES

• The Great British Baking Show: Holidays, season 2 (Nov. 8 )

• Nailed It! Holiday!, season 2 (Nov. 22)

• Merry Happy Whatever (Nov. 28)
Stars: Dennis Quaid, Bridgit Mendler, Brent Morin, Siobhan Murphy, Adam Rose, Hayes MacArthur, Elizabeth Ho, Ashley Tisdale, Garcelle Beauvais, Tyler Ritter

Official logline: “Set during the happy but hectic days before and after Christmas, Merry Happy Whatever follows Don Quinn (Quaid), a strong-willed patriarch from Philadelphia doing his best to balance the stress of the holidays with the demands of his close-knit but eclectic family — and his family doing their best to manage him. But when youngest daughter Emmy (Mendler) arrives home from L.A. with a new boyfriend, struggling musician Matt (Morin), Don’s belief that “there’s the Quinn way… and the wrong way” is put to the test.”

• Sugar Rush Christmas (Nov. 29)

• Magic for Humans (Dec. 2), holiday episode

• Lost In Space, season 2 (Dec. 24), set on Christmas Day.

***********

FAMILY

• Super Monsters Save Christmas (Nov. 26)

• True: Winter Wishes (Nov. 26)

• Team Kaylie: Part 2 (Dec. 2), holiday episode

• Spirit Riding Free: The Spirit of Christmas (Dec. 6)

• Alexa & Katie (Dec. 30), holiday episode

Interestingly, Holiday in the Wild (which was filmed over one year ago) was originally supposed to be a Hallmark movie.  Kristin Davis appeared at Hallmark's Winter TCA party in January 2016 to promote her passion project, a non-holiday movie called Wild at Heart, which was going to be filmed in Kenya.   That project later evolved into Christmas in the Wild for Netflix... which eventually became Holiday in the Wild!

Edited October 16, 2019 by TVFan17
bolded some titles so they'd be easier to see

[twoods]

Vanessa Hudgens in another Netflix Christmas movie? Yay! I loved the Christmas Switch one. I also love Rashida Jones so am looking forward to that one. Thanks Netflix!

[Dr.OO7]

22 hours ago, MissyPoo said:

In other news, Lifetime just swung a sneaky guerilla move. Christmas movies are on this week

At least the movie channel is sticking with their regular crap instead of Christmas crap.

I wonder why Lifetime's movies aren't more like "Psycho Santa" or "Killer Elf". I'd be interested in watching those.

The Up Channel is happily joining in on the insanity too--they will ALSO start airing their movies on October 25.

My head hurts already.

[Dejana]

Edited October 16, 2019 by Dejana

[TVFan17]

I can't get used to these daily Christmas movies on the Lifetime channel!   Their holiday event hasn't even "officially" begun yet, and I am already having a hard time adjusting to this new early Christmas schedule (although I happen to really like the Kristin Chenoweth movie that's on right now). 

I guess the Lifetime Movies channel is where I will turn when I want to watch some good old-fashioned movies about stalkers, voodoo dolls creating havoc, crazy nannies-grannies-nurses-doctors-sisters-neighbors-daughters-teachers, diabolical children, teens in trouble, assorted shenanigans "in Suburbia".... or if I am not in the mood for whatever Hallmark happens to be airing.

I have absolutely no problem with Hallmark starting their Christmas movie extravaganza on their channels in late October -- I have come to expect it, and I appreciate the tradition of tuning in on the last Friday in October to begin the merry mayhem.   I associate 2+ solid months of Christmas with Hallmark -- not necessarily with Lifetime.

BUT... if I were one of Lifetime's regular viewers of the non-Christmas content all year, I would be pretty annoyed that Lifetime suddenly decided to stop airing the programming they would usually air in October so they could start their own Christmas marathon super-early.   The Lifetime viewers had no reason to expect Lifetime to pull a scheduling stunt like this - in fact, they might have loved that Lifetime did NOT start their Christmas movies this early, and did not follow Hallmark's lead.  So I can't blame any of those viewers if they are mad at Lifetime for changing things so dramatically and drastically, compared to their usual holiday schedule.

[ShelleySue]

On 10/14/2019 at 8:55 PM, In2You said:

They've been playing Christmas movies all month. My mom told me a couple weeks ago she was watching the Lifetime Christmas movies.

I just rewatched The Christmas Contract.  It's one of my favorite holiday movies along with The Nine Lives of Christmas and The Christmas Card.  I like that you can actually see the romance develop instead of the usual trope of "the kiss" in the last thirty seconds of the movie.

[twoods]

Thank you! I forgot about how much I enjoyed the Christmas Contract and need to DVR it. My DVR got wiped out when I got a new one so I’m trying to find the ones I saved. I need Lifetime to air Recipe for a Perfect Christmas because it is an older one but one of my favorites, and the one with Brendan Fehr and Tatiana Ali. 

[TVFan17]

5 hours ago, twoods said:

Thank you! I forgot about how much I enjoyed the Christmas Contract and need to DVR it. My DVR got wiped out when I got a new one so I’m trying to find the ones I saved. I need Lifetime to air Recipe for a Perfect Christmas because it is an older one but one of my favorites, and the one with Brendan Fehr and Tatiana Ali. 

It looks as though Lifetime is airing Wrapped Up in Christmas (with Tatyana and Brendan) on Tuesday, 10/22 at 10:03 p.m., and Wednesday, 10/23 at 2:04 a.m.   I'm sure there will be more showtimes in November and December, but at least those 2 are next week.   Here is the schedule page -- https://www.mylifetime.com/schedule?month=10&day=22&year=2019

So far, no signs of Recipe for a Perfect Christmas.

[TVFan17]

So the Hallmark Drama Channel (the one that a lot of people still do not have, 2 years after it launched) clearly noticed Lifetime's sneaky tactics of already airing Christmas movies every day -- way before their official kickoff on 10/25 -- and decided to follow suit.

Hallmark Drama viewers -- you will be able to watch Christmas movies as of tomorrow! 

Although I do not have the Drama channel and cannot get it unless I sign up for a cheap streaming service for 2 months and then cancel it, I am getting a big kick out of the Christmas movie wars going on with Hallmark and Lifetime (and UPtv soon too), as they all bypass Halloween and race ahead to Christmas!  lol  

 

Hallmark Drama is not the only Hallmark channel getting an early start.  Hallmark Movies & Mysteries switches into sudden Christmas mode TOMORROW too!

[TVFan17]

Hallmark Movies & Mysteries' 2019 Miracles of Christmas Preview Special seems to have moved to Monday, October 21st (it was originally scheduled for Sunday, October 20th). https://www.hallmarkmoviesandmysteries.com/2019-miracles-of-christmas-preview-special

I think that the Countdown to Christmas 10th Anniversary Preview Special is still airing on the Hallmark Channel on Saturday, 10/19, though (for the moment!).  https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/countdown-to-christmas-10th-anniversary-preview-special

[AnnaRose]

14 hours ago, TVFan17 said:

So the Hallmark Drama Channel (the one that a lot of people still do not have, 2 years after it launched) clearly noticed Lifetime's sneaky tactics of already airing Christmas movies every day -- way before their official kickoff on 10/25 -- and decided to follow suit.

Hallmark Drama viewers -- you will be able to watch Christmas movies as of tomorrow! 

Although I do not have the Drama channel and cannot get it unless I sign up for a cheap streaming service for 2 months and then cancel it, I am getting a big kick out of the Christmas movie wars going on with Hallmark and Lifetime (and UPtv soon too), as they all bypass Halloween and race ahead to Christmas!  lol  

Hallmark Drama is not the only Hallmark channel getting an early start.  Hallmark Movies & Mysteries switches into sudden Christmas mode TOMORROW too!

I just watched my saved recording of A Bramble House Christmas the other day.  I love that movie!

[TVFan17]

3 hours ago, AnnaRose said:

I just watched my saved recording of A Bramble House Christmas the other day.  I love that movie!

It is!  I don't know why I love it, as it's a bit more serious than the usual Hallmark movies I prefer, but I do.  it's a gem.   It works on all levels.  

However, I cannot stand that annoying sister who decides to take matters into her own hands, and tries to cause trouble in the last section of the movie (because she thinks that Autumn Reeser's character is up to no good).  I wanted her brother to be angrier at her and then send her off into the cold, wintry night and not speak to her for a few months.  But... it's a Hallmark movie... and it's Christmas time and all... so she is forgiven and everyone forgets what she did, as they are all hanging out around the big Balsam Hill tree!  lol

Edited October 18, 2019 by TVFan17

[BigDave2019]

18 hours ago, TVFan17 said:

So the Hallmark Drama Channel (the one that a lot of people still do not have, 2 years after it launched) clearly noticed Lifetime's sneaky tactics of already airing Christmas movies every day -- way before their official kickoff on 10/25 -- and decided to follow suit.

Hallmark Drama viewers -- you will be able to watch Christmas movies as of tomorrow! 

Although I do not have the Drama channel and cannot get it unless I sign up for a cheap streaming service for 2 months and then cancel it, I am getting a big kick out of the Christmas movie wars going on with Hallmark and Lifetime (and UPtv soon too), as they all bypass Halloween and race ahead to Christmas!  lol  

Hallmark Drama is not the only Hallmark channel getting an early start.  Hallmark Movies & Mysteries switches into sudden Christmas mode TOMORROW too!

I will be going home at lunch to let the dogs out and will absolutely be checking the Directv guide to see if this is true!  I was caught off guard by Lifetime starting this week and couldn't believe they beat HM to it.  I thought HM wasn't starting until next Friday?  If HM Drama is really going to be showing all the "classics" like Silver Bells and Fallen Angel this year it will be the only channel I will watch this season.  I've not been able to warm to the newer movies that the main channel and HMM show.  I thought HMM used to have 1 day a week during their marathon that was dedicated to Hall of Fame selections but they seem to have dropped that the past few years.  Just discovered this sub forum today!

Edited October 18, 2019 by BigDave2019

[TVFan17]

18 minutes ago, BigDave2019 said:

I will be going home at lunch to let the dogs out and will absolutely be checking the Directv guide to see if this is true!  I was caught off guard by Lifetime starting this week and couldn't believe they beat HM to it.  I thought HM wasn't starting until next Friday?  If HM Drama is really going to be showing all the "classics" like Silver Bells and Fallen Angel this year it will be the only channel I will watch this season.  I've not been able to warm to the newer movies that the main channel and HMM show.  I thought HMM used to have 1 day a week during their marathon that was dedicated to Hall of Fame selections but they seem to have dropped that the past few years.  Just discovered this sub forum today!

It's definitely true!  The Christmas movies should already be running on the Drama channel right now, and then they will begin on the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries channel later tonight.

I think that Hallmark was compelled to get two of their channels into Christmas mode right now because Lifetime has already been showing Christmas movies every day.  It was a very sudden decision and change in schedule on Hallmark's part.

It  appears that Hallmark took some of the movies that had been held hostage on the Hallmark Movies Now streaming app for a couple of years and moved them to Hallmark Drama -- including Silver Bells, Fallen Angel, etc.   However, that means that they will also take a new set of movies from the Hallmark Channel and the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Channel and move them to the Hallmark Movies Now service!  lol    What's on the streaming app right now might be on Hallmark Drama next year.  What's on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries might end up on Hallmark Movies Now in 2 years.  What's on the main Hallmark Channel might move to the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Channel.

Essentially, they are just moving things all around between their 3 linear channels and the streaming app.   It's getting more confusing to keep up with which movies can be found on which channels, and, if you happen to be one of the people who does not have Hallmark Drama, it is disappointing to see that some movies from the Hallmark Channel and from Hallmark Movies & Mysteries have landed there (even if they are not particularly "dramatic").

Edited October 18, 2019 by TVFan17

[TVFan17]

I am too old and feeble to keep up with which movies are airing in which places at this point, but Net at It's a Wonderful Movie posted a new, more detailed, list of the movies on the Hallmark Movies Now streaming app, in the Movies & Mistletoe line-up --

https://itsawonderfulmovie.blogspot.com/2019/10/christmas-is-coming-on-hallmark-movies.html

Edited October 18, 2019 by TVFan17

[MissyPoo]

20 hours ago, TVFan17 said:

It looks as though Lifetime is airing Wrapped Up in Christmas (with Tatyana and Brendan) on Tuesday, 10/22 at 10:03 p.m., and Wednesday, 10/23 at 2:04 a.m.   I'm sure there will be more showtimes in November and December, but at least those 2 are next week.   Here is the schedule page -- https://www.mylifetime.com/schedule?month=10&day=22&year=2019

So far, no signs of Recipe for a Perfect Christmas.

Yes! I love this one also. It's one of my faves. I just caught Jingle Belle last night with Tatyana. One that was on my list last year but I never got to see. In fact, I have a whole host of movies I wanted to see last year but got burned out and didn't care for when the middle of December arrived. So I'm using this time as my Christmas-lite viewing where I catch up on some ones I missed last year before all the new ones come upon us this year.

I'm digging Lifetime's lineup. Every day around the afternoon there's always a fave I enjoyed from past releases. Looking forward to The Christmas Gift, A Twist of Christmas, and The Flight Before Christmas later today. :-)

Last year, Recipe for a Perfect Christmas was on Tubi. Not sure if it will show up this year but I hope they put the Lifetime movies back on there. I imagine with the 24/7 onslaught, Lifetime will be going in to their vault and showing movies they haven't shown on the channel for years to fill up air space. I looked ahead and saw that may already be coming true as they are airing A Christmas Wedding and 12 Wishes of Christmas next week (woo hoo!) Now I need a Comfort and Joy airing.

I saw that Hulu won't be adding back the ABC Family classic movies like Snowglobe, 12 Dates of Christmas, Christmas Cupid, etc. this year. That all got yanked to fill content for next month's premiere of, sigh, the Disney+ app.

[BigDave2019]

2 hours ago, BigDave2019 said:

I will be going home at lunch to let the dogs out and will absolutely be checking the Directv guide to see if this is true!  I was caught off guard by Lifetime starting this week and couldn't believe they beat HM to it.  I thought HM wasn't starting until next Friday?  If HM Drama is really going to be showing all the "classics" like Silver Bells and Fallen Angel this year it will be the only channel I will watch this season.  I've not been able to warm to the newer movies that the main channel and HMM show.  I thought HMM used to have 1 day a week during their marathon that was dedicated to Hall of Fame selections but they seem to have dropped that the past few years.  Just discovered this sub forum today!

I checked when I went home for lunch and Hm Drama is all Christmas and it is the classic favorites that have been missing! I dont have the Hallmark Movies now app and didn't know that's where they went.  I already pay for 3 Hallmark channels I don't think I can justify the app too.  Looking forward to Silver Bells Fallen Angel and Saint Maybe.  Also the countdown clock is up on HMM.  So begins my annual ritual of hiding my early Christmas movie viewing and music listening from my spouse.  Music hasn't started yet but last yr 2 radio stations were all Christmas starting on Thanksgiving.  We have a rule that I always break that nothing is allowed before Thanksgiving.  Hallmark and now Lifetime make that impossible for me.  I wasn't looking that forward to the movies starting early but the classics on drama have sucked me back in.  At least I can come here to discuss lol.  

Edited October 18, 2019 by BigDave2019

[BigDave2019]

9 minutes ago, BigDave2019 said:

I checked when I went home for lunch and Hm Drama is all Christmas and it is the classic favorites that have been missing! I dont have the Hallmark Movies now app and didn't know that's where they went.  I already pay for 3 Hallmark channels I don't think I can justify the app too.  Looking forward to Silver Bells Fallen Angel and Saint Maybe.  Also the countdown clock is up on HMM.  So begins my annual ritual of hiding my early Christmas movie viewing and music listening from my spouse.  Music hasn't started yet but last yr 2 radio stations were all Christmas starting on Thanksgiving.  We have a rule that I always break that nothing is allowed before Thanksgiving.  Hallmark and now Lifetime make that impossible for me.  I wasn't looking that forward to the movies starting early but the classics on drama have sucked me back in.  At least I can come here to discuss lol.  

HMM countdown clock during the last hours of Diagnosis Murder for 2+ months.  Bye Dr. Sloan!  I remember when I thought it was revolutionary for the main HM channel to switch to 24/7 Xmas and postpone the Frasier Golden Girls I Love Lucy reruns until January.  

Edited October 18, 2019 by BigDave2019

[MissyPoo]

20 minutes ago, BigDave2019 said:

We have a rule that I always break that nothing is allowed before Thanksgiving.  Hallmark and now Lifetime make that impossible for me.  I wasn't looking that forward to the movies starting early but the classics on drama have sucked me back in.

I feel your pain. I always tell myself I'm not going tostart watching til Nov. 1st but it keeps getting earlier and earlier every year. And then I see I my faves and I get sucked in. 

I'm wondering when the Hallmark schedules will update because it'd be nice to know what's coming up. I guess I can check the sites... 

[Was-MArsenault]

Look what’s here!

I cannot wait to watch these!

[Was-MArsenault]

And look at what’s out early...

https://freeform.go.com/25-days-of-christmas/news/the-official-kickoff-to-christmas-2019-movie-schedule

[BigDave2019]

8 minutes ago, MikaelaArsenault said:

Look what’s here!

I cannot wait to watch these!

It's great that the "older" (only from 2001!) movies are coming back.  I wish more could access HM Drama though.  If you see anything else that hasn't been aired in a while please share!  I bet they are going back to at least 98 I think that's when a Season for Miracles and Saint Maybe were made.  Further than that and my memory is fuzzy...didn't they air a John Denver movie and I also remember the Christmas Box and Timepiece from the mid 90's.  

[Was-MArsenault]

10 minutes ago, BigDave2019 said:

It's great that the "older" (only from 2001!) movies are coming back.  I wish more could access HM Drama though.  If you see anything else that hasn't been aired in a while please share!  I bet they are going back to at least 98 I think that's when a Season for Miracles and Saint Maybe were made.  Further than that and my memory is fuzzy...didn't they air a John Denver movie and I also remember the Christmas Box and Timepiece from the mid 90's.  

I will!

[chitowngirl]

25 minutes ago, MikaelaArsenault said:

And look at what’s out early...

https://freeform.go.com/25-days-of-christmas/news/the-official-kickoff-to-christmas-2019-movie-schedule

Aw-it’s just the kickoff to Christmas list, not the 25 Days of Christmas 

[Was-MArsenault]

6 minutes ago, chitowngirl said:

Aw-it’s just the kickoff to Christmas list, not the 25 Days of Christmas 

I know, but just thought that it would be worth sharing here.

[MissyPoo]

16 minutes ago, BigDave2019 said:

It's great that the "older" (only from 2001!) movies are coming back.  I wish more could access HM Drama though.  If you see anything else that hasn't been aired in a while please share!  I bet they are going back to at least 98 I think that's when a Season for Miracles and Saint Maybe were made.  Further than that and my memory is fuzzy...didn't they air a John Denver movie and I also remember the Christmas Box and Timepiece from the mid 90's.  

Yup! I think A Season For Miracles (love that one) is airing tomorrow morning. Annie Claus is Coming to Town is coming on tonight which I think used to be shown on the main channel until this year. That's a bonkers one that I love for its nuttiness.

I do find it amusing that the drama channel that promoted its stirring drama is showing the more magical themed movies of yore while the main channel - that is trying to get away from the whimsical and magical aspects and go for more straight drama - is showing more dramatic movies.