| SOURCE: Sundari PR
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
Unperfect Christmas Wish – Friday, Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. ET
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 Switch (working title) – 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
A Vintage 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
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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. |
