IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR, AS ABC FAMILY PRESENTS "COUNTDOWN TO 25 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS" STARTING SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18

Burbank, CA (October 5, 2012) - ABC Family gives thanks with new holiday programming during the "Countdown to 25 Days of Christmas" from November 18 - 30, 2012. The annual event will include the world premiere of "Home Alone: The Holiday Heist" on Sunday, November 25 (8:00 - 10:00 PM ET/PT). ABC Family will also air an all-new holiday episode of the hit drama "The Secret Life of the American Teenager" on Monday, November 19 (8:00 PM - 9:00 PM ET/PT), plus the basic cable premiere of "Nanny McPhee Returns" on Friday, November 23 (8:30 - 11:00 PM ET/PT), and a special airing of "The Blind Side" on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 22 (8:00 PM - 11:00 PM ET/PT).

On Monday, November 19, an all day marathon of "The Secret Life of the American Teenager" airs from 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM ET/PT, leading into the premiere of a new holiday episode starting at 8:00 PM ET/PT. In "Hedy's Happy Holiday House," the gang find themselves celebrating the holidays at an abandoned toy warehouse when Kathy suddenly goes into labor. Meanwhile, Grace wishes for a Christmas miracle with Jack.

On Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 22 at 8:00 PM ET/PT, ABC Family will air "The Blind Side," the true story of football star Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron), a homeless teen who's taken in by a compassionate woman (Sandra Bullock) and her family (Tim McGraw).

On Friday, November 23 at 8:30 PM ET/PT, it's the basic cable premiere of "Nanny McPhee Returns." A young mother (Maggie Gyllenhaal) is in desperate need of Nanny McPhee's (Emma Thompson) magical help as she tries to raise her five children, a niece and a nephew while running the family farm. Be sure to catch the original "Nanny McPhee" at 6:30 PM ET/PT.

And on Sunday, November 25 at 8:00 PM ET/PT, it's the world premiere of "Home Alone: The Holiday Heist." Eight-year-old Finn (Christian Martyn) is terrified to learn his family is relocating from sunny California to Maine, and the scariest house he has ever seen! Convinced that his new house is haunted, Finn sets up a series of elaborate traps to catch the "ghost" in action. Left home alone with his sister while their parents are stranded across town, Finn's traps catch a new target - a group of thieves (Malcolm McDowell, Debi Mazar and Eddie Steeples) who have targeted Finn's house. Ed Asner co-stars. See how the "Home Alone" hijinks began with the original "Home Alone" airing on Saturday, November 24 at 8:00 PM ET/PT.

Fans can get more information at: Facebook.com/25daysofchristmas Twitter.com/ABCF25days / www.abcfamily.com/25daysofchristmas

Part of the Disney/ABC Television Group, ABC Family is distributed in over 97 million homes. ABC Family features programming reflecting today's families, entertaining and connecting with adults through relatable programming about today's relationships - told with a mix of diversity, passion, humor and heart. ABC Family's programming is a combination of original series and original movies, quality acquired series and blockbuster theatricals. Emmy(R) Award-winning ABCFamily.com provides a variety of interactive entertainment and community features, from rich, fan-centric programming - including blogs, viewing parties, webisodes, full episodes of the network's hit programming, along with sneak peek exclusive previews and behind-the-scenes clips. ABC Family is also the destination for annual Holiday events with "13 Nights of Halloween" and "25 Days of Christmas." ABC Family. A New Kind of Family.