HALLMARK CHANNEL'S BIGGEST 'COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS' YET PRESENTS 21 NEW MOVIES THAT CELEBRATE THE SEASON AND THE JOYS OF A LOVE-FILLED HOME

STUDIO CITY, CA - September 13, 2017 - Everyone needs a happy place and Hallmark Channel offers viewers the perfect escape with the network's premier programming event, "Countdown to Christmas." The annual, 24/7 holiday programming schedule showcases a record 21 new, original holiday premiere movies that are sure to help even the biggest Scrooge recapture the Christmas spirit. From Friday, October 27, until Sunday, December 31, audiences will be able to immerse themselves in feel-good holiday fare throughout the season. Even as the temperatures drop around the country, viewers will be reminded that true love can still burn brightly - even when it's freezing. Whether a returning favorite from holidays past or brand-new yuletide offering, Hallmark Channel's schedule is brimming with tales of love, family and joy.

Returning to spread Christmas cheer are Hallmark Channel's "Queens of Christmas," Candace Cameron Bure ("Fuller House") and Lacey Chabert ("Mean Girls"), who have each previously appeared in five original, world premiere Christmas movies for the network. The star-studded lineup leading the new, original movies continues with Catherine Bell ("Army Wives," "JAG"), Lori Loughlin ("Fuller House," "90210"), Alison Sweeney ("Days of Our Lives"), Danica McKellar ("The Wonder Years"), Alexa PenaVega (Spy Kids franchise), Carlos PenaVega ("The Loud House") and Jodie Sweetin ("Fuller House").

To give viewers a taste of the new, original movies, Cameron Bure will host "Hallmark Channel Countdown to Christmas Preview," premiering Sunday, October 22 (10 p.m. ET/PT), featuring clips from this year's lineup.

Viewership for Hallmark holiday programming grows each year. In 2016, Hallmark Channel's "Countdown to Christmas" surpassed a record-breaking 2015, with ratings up +21% in HH, +29% in W18-49, +17% in W25-54, +35% in A18-49, +25% in A25-54 and +22% in Total Viewers. Hallmark Channel's five-night, Thanksgiving event delivered the network's highest week ever, while holiday programming yielded the highest New Year's Day ever. For the entirety of "Countdown to Christmas," Hallmark Channel reached an impressive 70.2 million viewers.*

Announcing Hallmark Channel's 2017 "Countdown to Christmas" Slate:

Unless otherwise noted, all premieres are at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

1. Saturday, October 28: "Marry Me at Christmas"

Cast: Rachel Skarsten ("Reign"), Trevor Donovan ("90210")

2. Saturday, November 4: "Christmas Festival of Ice"

Cast: Taylor Cole ("The Originals"), Damon Runyan ("Sound of Christmas"), Wendy Crewson ("Saving Hope")

3. Sunday, November 5: "Christmas in the Air"

Cast: Catherine Bell ("Good Witch," "Army Wives," "JAG"), Eric Close ("Nashville")

4. Saturday, November 11: "The Sweetest Christmas"

Cast: Lacey Chabert, Lea Coco ("Millennial Parents"), Jonathan Adams ("Last Man Standing")

5. Sunday, November 12: "Miss Christmas"

Cast: Brooke D'Orsay ("Royal Pains," "Two and a Half Men"), Marc Blucas ("Underground")

6. Saturday, November 18: "Coming Home for Christmas"

Cast: Danica McKellar ("The Wonder Years"), Neal Bledsoe ("The Mysteries of Laura")

7. Sunday, November 19: "Enchanted Christmas"

Cast: Alexa PenaVega (Spy Kids franchise) and Carlos PenaVega ("The Loud House")

8. Wednesday, November 22: "Secretly Santa"

Cast: Emilie Ullerup ("Chesapeake Shores," "Sanctuary"), Aaron O'Connell ("The Haves and Have Nots")

9. Thursday November 23: "The Mistletoe Inn"

Cast: Alicia Witt ("Justified," "A Very Merry Mix-Up")

10. Friday November 24: "Finding Santa"

Cast: Jodie Sweetin ("Fuller House")

11. Saturday November 25: "The Christmas Train" - HALLMARK HALL OF FAME

Cast: Dermot Mulroney (My Best Friend's Wedding, "Shameless") Danny Glover (Lethal Weapon), Joan Cusack ("Shameless," Toy Story 4), Kimberly Williams-Paisley ("Darrow & Darrow," Father of the Bride)

12. Sunday, November 26: "Switched for Christmas"

Cast: Candace Cameron Bure ("Fuller House")

13. Saturday, December 2: "Christmas in Evergreen"

Cast: TBA

14. Sunday, December 3: "Reindeer Lodge"

Cast: Alison Sweeney ("Days of Our Lives")

15. Monday, December 4: 95th Annual National Christmas Tree Lighting from President's Park" (7 p.m. ET/PT)

Hosts: TBA

16. Saturday, December 9: "The Christmas Shop"

Cast: TBA

17. Sunday, December 10: "Encore Christmas"

Cast: Maggie Lawson ("Psych"), Brennan Elliott ("Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove")

18. Saturday, December 16: "Christmas Shuttle"

Cast: TBA

19. Sunday, December 17: "Father Christmas"

Cast: TBA

20. Saturday, December 23: "Baby It's Cold Outside"

Cast: TBA

21. Monday, December 25: "When Calls the Heart Christmas"

Cast: Erin Krakow ("Army Wives"), Lori Loughlin ("Fuller House," "90210"), Daniel Lissing ("The Last Resort"), Jack Wagner ("The Bold and the Beautiful"), Pascale Hutton ("Sanctuary"), Kavan Smith ("Supernatural")

22. Saturday, December 30: "New Year's Eve Gala"

Cast: TBA

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*Source: The Nielsen Company: Holiday 2016 (10/29/16 - 1/1/17)