BET Plus leads the list of networks and streaming services delivering holiday TV movie cheer to viewers during the 12 days before Christmas as programmers tie a bow around a robust lineup of original holiday programming that launched in October.
BET Plus over the next two weeks will distribute the final three movies of its slate of 12 original holiday films and specials that featured several high-profile celebrities and producers, including Jasmine Guy, Tamar Braxton, Vivica A. Fox, Debbie Allen, Tichina Arnold, Jackee Harry, and Michael Colyar, according to BET Plus officials.
BET Plus VP of content programming, strategy and original movies Marvin Neil said holiday programming has become a yearly staple for the four-year-old African American-targeted streaming service as it looks to offer more family fare.
“The holiday season is about families and togetherness, and I feel like that’s an opportunity that’s been taken up by major networks for decades,” Neil said. “The problem is major networks weren’t really showcasing the black holiday experience the way we felt we deserved, so we were very intentional about really targeting the holiday season as a moment to tell relatable stories for our viewers and for a broader audience.”
Neil said the appeal of original holiday content attracted actors, directors and writers of color to the streaming service. On the docket for BET Plus holiday films premiering through Christmas are films starring actress/producer Robin Givens (Christmas Rescue); musicians MC Lyte and Tank (Favorite Son Christmas); and actress/singer Kandi Burruss (Whatever It Takes).
Holiday Movie Sampler
A partial list of remaining holiday-themed movies debuting on linear networks and streaming services, along with their premiere dates:
December 14
- Heaven Down Here (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries)
- Christmas Rescue (BET Plus)
- Favorite Son Christmas (BET Plus)
December 15
- The Secret Gift of Christmas (Hallmark Channel)
December 16
- Designing Christmas With You (Great American Family)
- Sealed With a List (Hallmark Channel)
- The Holiday Proposal Plan (Lifetime)
- The Christmas Detective (OWN)
- A Christmas Intern (Lifetime)
December 17
- Dial S for Santa (UPtv)
- Merry Magic Christmas (Lifetime)
- 12 Games of Christmas (Great American Family)
- Friends and Family Christmas (Hallmark Channel)
December 21
- Miracle in Bethlehem, PA (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries)
- Whatever It Takes (BET Plus)
- The Christmas Break (Fox)
December 23
- A Royal Christmas Holiday (Great American Family)
- Mom’s Christmas Boyfriend (Lifetime)
- Christmas Revisited (OWN)
December 24
- A Christmas Letter (UPtv)
