Christmas films dominate for celebrating ‘faith, family and country’: Hollywood exec
Great American Media CEO Bill Abbott explains to Fox News Digital why Christmas movies dominate because they celebrate “faith, family and country.”
The rise in popularity of Christmas movies reflects Americans’ love for “faith, family and country,” according to Hollywood executive Bill Abbott.
Last month, Abbott, who is president and CEO of the faith-based and family-based entertainment company, Great American Media, introduced a series of new films at its fourth annual Great American Christmas.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Abbott shared his thoughts on how the Christmas movie genre came to dominate the holiday season and why Yuletide films resonate with millions of viewers.
“People love Christmas,” she said. “They love the celebration of the season, the traditions, the music, everything about Christmas – people love it.”
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Great American Media CEO Bill Abbott, right, said the popularity of Christmas movies is a celebration of “faith, family and country.” (Great American News / Fox News)
He continued, “I think the genre has gotten a bad name in some quarters over the years. You know, the cheesy Christmas movie that plays on ‘Saturday Night Live’ and it’s still really produced in some circles.”
“But that’s a thing of the past from our perspective,” Abbott said. “We take great pains in the storytelling, in the development of the characters and the locations and the music and the wardrobe and all the things that make it feel like a Christmas experience. And the talent is just the icing on the cake and certainly the icing is the key driver.”
“But that’s what really gives it life and what we’re trying to do with our content — just always be that quality option that celebrates faith, family and country.”
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Great American Media CEO Bill Abbott explains to Fox News Digital why Christmas movies dominate because they celebrate “faith, family and country.”
America’s Biggest Christmas 2024, premiering October 12 on Pure Flix and Oct. 17 on Great American Family and will play until Dec. 22, he has 16 new movies. Abbott told Fox News Digital that he’s “excited” for fans to watch this year’s holiday movie lineup.
“I think the whole time I’ve been doing this, I’ve never had hope and I’ve felt more positive about the program and the program that we have,” he said. “And this is the culmination of four years of work.”
“It’s what really gives the brand life and what we’re trying to do with our content – just always be that quality option that celebrates faith, family and country.”
He continued, “We started this in October of 2021 and we went through the Christmas season for three years where we produced a lot of really high quality content with great talent. But this year we took it to the next level.”
Candace Cameron Bure stars in three Great American Media Christmas movies, including “A Christmas Less Traveled.” (Great American News / Fox News)
Abbott noted that along with the return of Great American Family stars Candace Cameron Bure and Danica McKellar, the network is also adding new talent, including Mario Lopez and his wife Courtney Lopez, as well as Alexa PenaVega and Carlos PenaVaga.
“And the movies were doing really well,” Abbott said. “And they’re top notch. They tell great stories — faith, family, country — all about that focal point. That’s what we believe. It’s beautiful and naturally uplifting and culturally appropriate.”
While speaking with Fox News Digital, Abbott also reflected on why viewers are drawn to movies featuring fan-favorite TV stars from hit ’90s sitcoms and how holiday blockbusters can pave the way for returning casts.
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Great American Media CEO Bill Abbott detailed why audiences love Christmas movies featuring iconic sitcom stars including Candace Cameron Bure, Lori Loughlin and Mario Lopez.
“People feel uncomfortable at that time of year, and they think back when they look at Lori [Loughlin] on ‘Full House’ or watch Candace on ‘Full House’ or watch Mario Lopez on ‘Saved by the Bell,'” he said.
“So there’s that sense of longing, that sense of comfort, that sense of wanting to tell stories that can be fun for the whole family together, which is what we really do, and those stars that are very representative of our kind of faith and family, in every category. the good things that life brings, especially at that time of year.”
In July, Great American Media announced it was partnering with New York’s UBS Arena, the NHL’s New York Islanders and CandyRock Entertainment to host its first Christmas festival.
Held at UBS Arena’s Northwell Park, “The Great American Family Christmas Festival,” beginning Nov. 20 to Jan. 5, offers fans of The Great American Family an opportunity to celebrate the holiday season at the most immersive event location just outside of New York City. .
Mario Lopez and his wife Courtney Lopez make their Great American Media debut in “Once Upon A Christmas Wish.” (Great American News / Fox News)
“From holiday movies and ice skating to TikTok-worthy cocoa mugs, celebrity meet-and-greets, Santa’s Crafting Village and live entertainment, the first Great American Christmas event is something for the whole family,” a press release said.
Abbott told Fox News Digital that he believes the festival is “a good thing for New York and for all of New York.”
“We’ve always thought that the Christmas entertainment scene was something that we had to take,” Abbott said.
Alexa and Carlos PenaVega star in “Get Him Back For Christmas.” (Great American News / Fox News)
He pointed to Christmas Con, an annual holiday-themed convention in New Jersey that offers fans meet-and-greets with the stars of popular Christmas movies.
“And it sells out every year,” Abbott said of the Christmas Con.
Abbott recalled that the inspiration for America’s Greatest Family Christmas was born out of a conversation he had with New York Islanders owner Jon Ledecky. Ledecky told Abbott that he is a big fan of America’s Greatest Family Christmas movies and the two came up with the idea of hosting a talent festival on the Islanders’ home court.
Candace Cameron Bure and Cameron Mathison shared “Home Sweet Christmas.” (Great American News / Fox News)
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“UBS – a world-class platform – are great partners. CandyRock Entertainment is putting the event together to perfection, and we couldn’t be happier,” said Abbott.
While speaking with Fox News Digital, Abbott shared his thoughts on what he hopes fans can take away from watching American Family Christmas movies this holiday season.
WATCH: AMERICAN MEDIA CEO BILL ABBOTT SAYS NETWORK’S NEW CHRISTMAS MOVIE LISTINGS ‘CULTURAL GOOD’
Great American Media CEO Bill Abbott shared how the new Christmas movie’s focus on “faith, family, country” is “culturally appropriate.”
“We’re creating an experience that is Christmas as it should be, that it’s full of joy and faith and family and hope and renewal, good points about faith that builds, uplifting the family, uplifting the country, very supportive and normal. he’s trying to break down a lot of the barriers and differences that exist,” Abbott said.
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He continued, “And I think having faith as a big factor within that is important to the audience experience and it’s something that’s very underrepresented on TV.”
“And we’re the home of that. And it’s up to us to create quality content that will create a whole season of fun.”
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