or


[10/08/13 - 06:06 AM]
It's a Holiday Takeover When Santa Agrees to Share the Reins with Sean Astin and Ethan Erickson in "Santa Switch," a Hallmark Channel Original Movie World Premiere December 7
The original presentation also features Anne Dudek, Annie Thurman, Griffin Cleveland, Steve Valentine and Donovan Scott.

[via press release from The Hallmark Channel]

IT'S A HOLIDAY TAKEOVER WHEN SANTA AGREES TO SHARE THE REINS WITH ACADEMY AWARD(R) NOMINEE SEAN ASTIN AND ETHAN ERICKSON IN "SANTA SWITCH," A HALLMARK CHANNEL ORIGINAL MOVIE WORLD PREMIERE DECEMBER 7

Part of Hallmark Channel's COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS the #1 Most Treasured Holiday Destination by Television Viewers; Anne Dudek, Annie Thurman and Griffin Cleveland Co-Star

Ethan Erickson ("Fashion House") stars as a struggling dad who gets a new start when a strange encounter magically replaces his mall Santa gig with the real thing in World Premiere of "Santa Switch," a Hallmark Channel Original Movie premiering Saturday, December 7 at 8pm ET/PT, 7C. Starring alongside Erickson, Academy Award Nominee Sean Astin ("The Lord of the Rings") plays Kris Kringle's uptight assistant Eddie who is determined to keep Christmas on schedule. Anne Dudek ("Covert Affairs"), Annie Thurman ("The Hunger Games") and Griffin Cleveland ("The Seven Year Hitch") also star. "Santa Switch" is part of Hallmark Channel's annual COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS, the #1 most treasured holiday destination by television viewers.

As the Christmas season approaches, Dan Ryebeck (Erickson) is facing unemployment, and struggling to pay for the gifts he thinks will impress his two kids, Sally (Thurman) and Joe (Cleveland). Always chasing a new business idea, Dan hasn't had time for family, including his wife Linda (Dudek), who is finally fed up and filing divorce papers. Threatened by Linda's handsome and successful young boss, Trevor (Steve Valentine, "Crossing Jordan"), Dan knows he must make this Christmas the best one yet to win his family back. But after auditioning for a mall Santa job and quickly losing his cool, Dan is frustrated and broke, blaming the holidays for his troubles. Little does he know his luck is about to turn around when the real Kris Kringle (Donovan Scott, "Matchmaker Santa") pays him a visit from the North Pole. Deciding to take a vacation and leave Dan in charge, Kris sends his hard-working elf assistant Eddie (Astin) to guide Dan as the new Santa Claus, hoping he'll learn a lesson in Christmas spirit. With the sudden power to impress Linda and the kids by making every wild Christmas wish come true, Dan soon gets carried away. As the fate of the whole world's Christmas rests in his hands, can Dan focus on what his family really needs without flubbing his greatest gig yet?

"Santa Switch" is a Mediapool Production in association with Larry Levinson Productions. Larry Levinson is the executive producer. Co-executive producer is Amanda Phillips Atkins and Lincoln Lageson is the producer. David S. Cass, Sr. directed from a teleplay by Rod Spence and Brian Sawyer & Gregg Rossen. Story by Rod Spence.

Hallmark Channel, owned and operated by Crown Media Holdings, Inc., is a 24-hour basic cable network that provides a diverse slate of high-quality entertainment programming available in high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) to a national audience of 88 million subscribers. Hallmark Channel is the nation's leading destination for quality family programming with an ambitious slate of original TV movies and specials, as well as some of television's most beloved sitcoms and series, including The Golden Girls, The Waltons, Little House on the Prairie, and Frasier. The channel is also home to a range of lifestyle programming, anchored by Home & Family, a daily two-hour live show shot in a fully functional house located on the Universal Studios lot. Hallmark Channel's sibling network, Hallmark Movie Channel, available in HD and SD, focuses on family-friendly movies with a mix of original films, classic theatrical releases, and presentations from the acclaimed Hallmark Hall of Fame library.

Hallmark Channel on Social Media: Facebook, Twitter (Join the conversation at #HeartofTV), Pinterest, GetGlue, YouTube





  [october 2013]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
  


· COVERT AFFAIRS (USA)
· CROSSING JORDAN (NBC)
· FASHION HOUSE (MYNETWORKTV)
· MATCHMAKER SANTA (HALLMARK)
· SANTA SWITCH (HALLMARK)
· SEVEN YEAR HITCH, THE (HMC)





[05/19/26 - 07:44 AM]
FOX Nation Finds Its Next Fox-Worthy Stand-Up Special with Jeff Foxworthy's "The Joke's on Me" Premiering June 1
Filmed at the Gas South Theatre in Duluth, Georgia, the special offers a heartfelt and hilarious look at Foxworthy's life, career, and signature comedic style.

[05/19/26 - 07:31 AM]
"America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders" Season 3 Premieres June 16, 2026
This season follows the 2025-26 squad from high-pressure auditions and training camp all the way through the NFL season, continuing to offer candid, behind-the-scenes access to one of sports' most iconic teams.

[05/19/26 - 07:07 AM]
TNT Sports Posts Its Most-Watched NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Second Round Ever
Thursday's Game 5 of the Montreal/Buffalo series averaged 1.9 million viewers, making it the most-watched, Second Round, Game 5 on cable ever featuring a Canadian team.

[05/19/26 - 07:05 AM]
Video: "The Agency" Returns - Trailer, First Look and Premiere Date of the Second Season on Paramount+
All 10 episodes will be available June 21 at 12:00 AM PT / 3:00 AM ET on Paramount+.

[05/19/26 - 07:03 AM]
"South Park's" 29th Season to Premiere Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 10:00 PM, ET/PT on Comedy Central and Next Day on Paramount+ in the U.S., Canada and Australia
Additional new episodes will premiere on Wednesdays: September 30, October 14, October 28, November 11, and November 25.

[05/19/26 - 07:02 AM]
Video: "Rosario Tijeras (Mexico)" Season 5 - Official Trailer - Netflix
After years of surviving in a dangerous neighborhood, a vengeance-obsessed woman from humble origins becomes a legend - and a curse.

[05/19/26 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "Milky Subway: The Galactic Limited Express - the Movie" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Six delinquents are tasked with cleaning a train as part of a community service program. But when the train suddenly takes off, chaos ensues.

[05/19/26 - 07:01 AM]
"BET Awards" 2026 Nominations Are In!
Cardi B leads the nominations with six, Kendrick Lamar and Mariah the Scientist tying with five nominations, and Doechii, Doja Cat, Clipse, Teyana Taylor, Olivia Dean and Latto earning four nominations each.

[05/18/26 - 04:03 PM]
"The Rookie" Season 8 Finale Surges to Over 9 Million Total Viewers
Setting new records with its exceptional momentum this season, "The Rookie" finale earned an all-time streaming high for the series based on views over seven days on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+.

[05/18/26 - 01:05 PM]
FX's "Very Young Frankenstein" Picked Up to Series on FX and Hulu
The series, based on 20th Century Studios' "Young Frankenstein," features Zach Galifianakis, Dolly Wells and Spencer House.

[05/18/26 - 12:02 PM]
Next on Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN - June 2026
Upcoming premieres include "Doctor on the Edge," "Not Suitable for Work," "Alice and Steve," and "The Season."

[05/18/26 - 11:16 AM]
FOX Sports Races Full Throttle Into Indianapolis 500 Powered by a Stacked Roster of Elite Broadcasters
Play-by-play announcer Will Buxton is alongside nine-time Indianapolis 500 competitor James Hinchcliffe and 10-time Indy 500 racer Townsend Bell on the call for the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.

[05/18/26 - 11:00 AM]
AMC Global Media and Chris Hardwick Announce Partnership on Relaunch of "I Think You're Overthinking It" Podcast
In this vodcast series, Hardwick invites friends and fellow celebrities for deep-dive, free-flowing conversations that explore the intersection of personal hobbies, life lessons, and the obsessive side of fandom - all while attempting to navigate the beautiful, neurotic mess of overthinking everything.

[05/18/26 - 09:45 AM]
ESPN Presents the 2026 NBA Eastern Conference Finals: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks Exclusively on ESPN Networks
ESPN's lead NBA broadcast team - Mike Breen, analysts Richard Jefferson and Tim Legler, and reporter Lisa Salters - will provide commentary throughout the series.

[05/18/26 - 09:31 AM]
"Call My Agent! The Movie" Premieres Globally on Netflix September 10, 2026
The original cast officially reunited Friday night on the Cannes Film Festival red carpet to announce their return in a brand new feature film.