"GET WRAPPED UP IN THE HOLIDAYS!"

ION TELEVISION SET TO PREMIERE FIVE ALL-NEW ORIGINAL HOLIDAY MOVIES IN 2013

"Defending Santa," "My Santa," "Holiday Road Trip," "Christmas Belle" and "All I Want for Christmas" Join ION's Growing Holiday Roster

NEW YORK, September 9, 2013 - ION Television is inviting viewers to "Get Wrapped Up in the Holidays," today announcing the addition of five brand-new original movies to its 2013 holiday lineup. The new collection, including "Defending Santa," "My Santa," "Holiday Road Trip," "Christmas Belle" and "All I Want for Christmas," begins airing Thanksgiving week and will run alongside 13 other returning favorites from ION's growing catalog throughout the holiday season.

With the addition of five new titles, ION looks to build on a successful 2012 holiday season that saw its movies average more than one million total viewers. ION's holiday movies reached 27.2 million total viewers, up 15% from 2011, and 10.4 million adults 25-54, an increase of 13% over the previous year. "A Christmas Kiss," ION's highest rated movie in 2012, delivered 526,000 adults 25-54.

"We're excited to expand on our original programming commitment to viewers with this new slate of holiday movies," said Brandon Burgess, CEO, ION Media Networks. "With the success of our movie franchise over the past three years, ION Television continues to be a prime destination for holiday movie viewing."

Each of ION Television's holiday films feature a bevy of legendary actors and fan favorites, with a roster this year that includes: Dean Cain ("Lois & Clark"), Shelley Long ("Cheers"), Wink Martindale ("Tic-Tac-Dough"), Matthew Lawrence ("Boy Meets World"), George Hamilton ("Dynasty"), Tom Arnold ("True Lies"), Julie Brown ("Clueless"), Jodie Sweetin ("Full House"), Haylie Duff ("7th Heaven"), Samaire Armstrong ("Resurrection"), C. Thomas Howell ("Southland") and Jim O'Heir ("Parks and Recreation").

ION TELEVISION ORIGINAL HOLIDAY MOVIE PREMIERES

DEFENDING SANTA - Premieres Sunday, November 24, at 9/8c

Cast: Dean Cain, Jud Tylor, Bill Lewis, Jamie McRae, Cooper Barnes, Jodie Sweetin, Seth Menachem, John Savage

Scott Hanson, a ski resort sheriff, inadvertently arrests a sleeping Santa in the snowy woods on suspicion of a crime he did not commit. With his sleigh ride now in doubt, Santa is put on trial. But, during the proceedings, Sheriff Hanson, also a dad and widower, begins to fall for Santa's court-appointed defense attorney, Sarah.

MY SANTA - Premieres Friday, November 29, at 9/8c

Cast: Samaire Armstrong, Matthew Lawrence, Julie Brown, Jim O'Heir, Ben Gavin, Paul Dooley, Channing Chase, Gabe O'Mara

A young, single mother, Jen, begins to lose her faith in the magic of Christmas. However, when she takes her son Eric to see the local mall Santa, Jen immediately feels an attraction and connection with Chris, the young, attractive man filling the suit. As they begin spending time together, she begins to rediscover her belief in Christmas. Little does Jen know that Chris is the son and heir to the "real" Santa, and his mission is to find himself a Mrs. Claus. As the two fall for one another, Chris faces his inevitable return to the North Pole.

HOLIDAY ROAD TRIP - Premieres Sunday, December 1, at 9/8c

Cast: Ashley Scott, Patrick Muldoon, Kip Pardue, George Hamilton, Shelley Long, Mo Gaffney, Essence Atkins, Jerry Lacy, Susan Olsen, Wink Martindale

Maya, a recently heartbroken pet supply employee, couldn't have any less in common with her co-worker, Pat, who happens to be the company founder's son. But, tasked with traveling across the country on a Christmastime social media tour for the company's leading canine and most-prized possession, Scoots, fate finds a funny way to intervene. In their race against the clock, the two begin to fall for one another. Unbeknownst to Maya, though, her remorseful ex-boyfriend is in close pursuit, hoping he can win her back.

CHRISTMAS BELLE - Premieres Sunday, December 8, at 9/8c

Cast: Haylie Duff, Nicholas Gonzalez, C. Thomas Howell, Mark Famiglietti, Sheree J. Wilson

With her California hometown in the rearview mirror, Belle heads north on business to catalog the sale of a large mansion. While the job is a dream, the client, Hunter Lowell, is not. But, as the two spend more time together, his icy demeanor begins to melt. Although their relationship is budding, Belle's long-time suitor, Tony, arrives, sending mixed signals to Hunter while adding chaos to the holiday season.

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS - Premieres Sunday, December 15, at 9/8c

Cast: Melissa Sagemiller, Brad Rowe, Tom Arnold, Stuart Pankin, Martin Klebba, JoJo Wright, Eddie Deezen

After being told by her boss that she must listen more attentively to others and put the group first, Elizabeth, a skilled executive, meets one of Santa's helpers, who blesses her with an extraordinary gift. Through the magic of a Christmas pin, Elizabeth can listen to every unspoken thought of anyone she encounters. With her new-found power, she attempts to be a better person, turning an office rivalry into romance while learning the true meaning of Christmas.

Source: Nielsen C3 data, 11/23/12-12/25/12, prime (M-Su/7p-1a), Reach: unduplicated, based on Live+SD total day audience 6+ minutes viewed.

About ION Television

A leading U.S. general entertainment network, ION Television combines high-quality programming and dependable distribution with an attitude of innovation and growth. Its "Positively Entertaining" network brand positioning features a formula of proven series, an expansive catalog of blockbuster movies and a commitment to introduce new original programming. ION Television has grown its Adults 25-54 audience by 69% since launching just five years ago and has consistently remained among the top 15 entertainment networks. For more information, visit www.iontelevision.com.