As Christmas nears, networks have made a few additions, subtractions and schedule-flips.
ABC added “The Sound of Music” (shown here) for Dec. 17 and gave it the full Sunday-night landscape, from 7-11 p.m. CW added an extra night of “The Chosen,” nudging “Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer” to Dec. 22. And the Turner networks (TBS, TNT, Turner Classic Movies) made several swithes.
With that in mine, here’s an updated round-up for Dec. 14-24. (For general reference, the original list still exists, under “stories.”)
This skips most Christmas episodes of regular shows and (with a few exceptions) reruns of TV movies. For theatrical films, it includes the eternal ones and skips the rest. Also, it barely scratches the vast resources of streaming networks; check your streamer for details. Here we go:
iPARADES
— Dec. 15: Hollywood Christmas Parade, 8-10 p.m., CW.
— Dec. 25: Disney Parks Chrismas parade,10 a.m. to noon (except 9-11 a.m., PT), ABC. The parade’s 40th year includes music filmed at the parks. That’s from Julianne Hough and Derek Hough (the hosts) and from Meg Donnelly, Chrissy Metz, Iam Tongi, the Smashing Pumpkins and the Broadway and touring casts of “Aladdin.”
“HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS”
One of TV’s all-time great half-hours is available on Peacock and:
— On NBC, 8 p.m., Dec. 25.
— On TBS, 8 a.m., Dec 16; 8 p.m., Dec. 22.
— On TNT, 7:30 p.m., Dec. 14; 5:03 p.m., Dec. 17.
Also, on Peacock.
“A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS”
This is the other all-time great cartoon, but has limited availability:
— Dec. 16-17: Apple TV+. This is the brief window when Apple makes it available for free.
— Other times, it’s for Apple subscribers, plus three other Charlie Brown Christmas specials.
OTHER KEY CARTOON RERUNS
Dec. 20: “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town,” 9:55 p.m., Freeform; also, 3:35 p.m., Dec. 21; 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Dec. 25.
Dec. 16: “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas,” 8:30 a.m., Freeform; also, 8 a.m., Dec. 21.
Dec. 16: “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” 8 p.m., CBS. Then it’s on Freeform,5:15 p.m., Dec. 21; 5:35 p.m., Dec. 24; and 3:30 p.m., Dec. 25.
Dec. 16: “Frosty the Snowman” and “Frosty Returns,” 9 and 9:30 p.m., CBS. Also, “Frosty” runs on Freeform (without its sequel) at 4:40 p.m., Dec. 21; 6:40 p.m., Dec. 24; and 4:30 p.m., Dec. 25.
Dec. 16: “Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas,” 10 a.m., Freeform; also, 8 a.m., Dec. 22; 9:05 a.m., Dec. 24.
Dec. 19: “Disney Prep & Landing,” 8 p.m., ABC, with its sequel at 8:30. They’re also at 7 and 7:30 a.m., Dec. 22 on Freeform.
Dec. 22: “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer,” 9-10 p.m., CW.
NEW CARTOONS (any time)
— “The Velveteen Rabbit,” Apple TV+. The story starts with William, 7, getting a stuffed toy for Christmas.
— “Mickey’s Christmas Tales,” Disney+.
— Christmas specials from “The Snoopy Show” and “Frog and Toad,” Apple TV+.
“A CHRISTMAS STORY”
— On TNT: 8 p.m., Dec. 14; 5:33 p.m., Dec. 17; 7:45 p.m., Dec. 18.
— On TBS and TNT: The annual 24-hour marathon starts at 8 p.m. Dec. 24 on TBS and 9 p.m. on TNT. It reruns every two hours, for 24 hours.
— Also, last year’s sequel – “A Christmas Story Christmas” –is on TNT at 7:33 p.m., Dec. 17; and 9 p.m., Dec. 25.
“A CHRISTMAS CAROL”
— The 2009 one, with Jim Carrey, is on Freeform: 1:30 p.m., Dec. 15; 4:15 p.m., Dec. 18; 10:30 a.m., Dec. 19; 1:05 p.m., Dec. 23; and 7 a.m., Dec. 25.
— The 1999 one, with Patrick Stewart as a fierce Scrooge, is 10 p.m. Dec. 14, TNT.
— The 1938 one, with Reginald Owen, is 6:45 p.m. ET, Dec. 18, Turner Classic Movies; also, 10 p.m., Dec. 24.
— Others are streaming. Disney+ has “Mickey’s Christmas Carol,” a 26-minute gem. Hulu has “Muppet Christmas Carol” (1993), a fun film with Michael Caine; it also has a 1984 one with George C. Scott.
“THE SANTA CLAUSE”
— And all three movies rerun together on Freeform. That starts at 10:30 a.m., Dec. 14; 7:15 p.m., Dec. 16; 11 a.m., Dec. 20; 7:15 p.m., Dec. 22; and 7:15 p.m., Dec. 24. The first two run at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., Dec. 25.
— Both seasons of the sequel series, “The Santa Clauses,” are on Disney+.
“THE NUTCRACKER”
— The 1993 movie, with Macaulay Culkin as the Nutcracker Prince, is on Hulu and Amazon Prime.
— “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms,” a lush (but odd) film with Misty Copeland, is on Disney+.
— Several others are on Ovation Now, via a free app. They are “Getting to the Nutcracker,” “The Nutcracker: Marlinsky” and “The Nutcracker by Kader Belarbi.”
RELIGION
(Religion is a key part of many Christmas shows; this is a brief sampling of ones in which it is especially key.)
— “Favorite Son Christmas,” Dec. 14, BET+. To rescue a church’s finances, a gospel concert is planned, hoping to re-unite a once-successful group. This includes music from Tank, Serayah, MC Lyte and Anthony Evans.
— “The Chosen” is the crowdfunded story of Jesus and the people near him. It’s 8 p.m., Dec. 17 and 8 p.m. (the season-finale), Dec. 24. Also, a Christmas special is 8 p.m. Dec. 23, CW; a Christmas episode is 1 p.m. ET Dec. 24 on BYU-TV.
— “Little Drummer Boy,” 7 a.m., Dec. 16, Dec. 17 and Dec. 21, Freeform.
— “King of Kings” (1961) and “The Greatest Story Ever Told” (1965), are 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. ET, Dec.17, Turner Classic Movies.
— “Going My Way” (1944) is 8 p.m. ET Dec. 19 and 1:30 p.m. Dec. 23, Turner Classic Movies.
— “The Bishop’s Wife” (1947) is 8 p.m. ET Dec. 21, Turner Classic Movies.
— BYU-TV has a marathon of Christmas music and messages, Dec. 24-25
— Christmas Eve Mass from St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, 11:30 p.m., Dec. 24, to 1 a.m., NBC.
COMEDY
Dec. 14: “A Saturday Night Live Christmas Special,” 8-10 p.m., NBC; also, 9-11 p.m. Dec. 23. This assembles sketches from throughout the 48 seasons.
MUSIC, new
Any time: “Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas,” Apple TV+. The Emmy-winner returns to her musical-theater roots, for a London Coliseum concert, backed by an orchestra.
Dec. 14: “CMA Country Christmas,” 8-9:02 p.m., ABC. Amy Grant and Trisha Yearwood host and perform. Also performing: Lady A, Lainey Wilson, Jon Pardi, Ashley McBryde, Jorday Davis, Lindsey Stirling, Zach Williams and War and Treaty.
Dec. 15: “National Christmas Tree Lighting,” 8-9 p.m., CBS. Mickey Guyton hosts and performs, with othert music from Dionne Warwick, Darren Criss, Ledisi, Joe Walsh, Samara Joy, Renee Rapp and St. Vincent and the Coast Guard’s Guardians Big Band.
Dec. 16: “Luminare Christmas,” 7:30 p.m. ET, AXS. John Blasucci, formerly of Mannheim Steamroller, leads a group of veteran musicians.
Dec. 17: BYU TV has the Tabernacle Choir concert (which aired Dec. 12 on PBS) at 8 p.m.. The cable-and-streaming channel (with all times ET) also has it at 9:30 p.m. Dec. 21, 9 p.m. Dec. 22 and 11:30 p.m. Dec. 24. Previous ones rerunning include Megan Hilty (1 p.m. Dec. 20, 9:30 p.m., Dec. 24) ad Kelli O’Hara (7 p.m. Dec. 25)
Dec. 21: “iHeartRadio Jingle Ball,” 8-10 p.m., ABC. This has highlights of a tour that includes Nicki Minaj, Niall Horan, Olivia Rodrigo, Usher, Sza, Miguel, Sabrina Carpenter, Jelly Roll, Flo Rida, AJR, OneRepublic, Big Time Rush, NCT Dream and more.
Dec. 22: “A Home For the Holidays,” 8-9 p.m., CBS. Katharine McPhee hosts, introducing true stories about adoption. She also performs with David Foster; also performing: CeCe Winans, Gavin DeGraw, Lauren Daigle and Pentatonix.
ALSO: BYU-TV has “Christmas Under the Stars” concerts, new or reruns. They include (all times ET) BYU Vocal Point, 2 p.m., Dec. 14; Lauren Daigle, 6 p.m., Dec. 16, and 5 p.m., Dec. 25; Pentatonix, 2 p.m., Dec. 21, and 6 a.m. Dec. 25; John Legend, 6 p.m. Dec.. 23.
MUSIC, key reruns
Dec. 21: “Mountain Magic Christmas,” 9-11 p.m., NBC. There’s a script here, but this is mostly a chance to hear great music from Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Miley Cyrus, Jimmy Fallon and more.
Dec. 25: Mariah Carey special, 9-11 p.m., CBS.
SEASONAL FOOD, MOOD, DECOR
Dec. 19: “The Great Christmas Lights Fight” concludes, 9-11 p.m., ABC. This has homes’ mega-displays.
Dec. 18-19: “Lego Masters: Celebrity Holiday Bricktacula,” 8-10 p.m., Fox. Past contestants (David Guedes, Caleb Schilling, Krystle Starr, Randall Wilson) link with Rob Riggle, Kelly Osbourne, NeNe Leakes and Marshawn Lynch for holiday-themed creations.
Dec. 20: “Christmas Around the USA,” 8-10 p.m., CW.
TV MOVIES, key reruns
— Dec. 17: “Eloise at Christmastime” is a sweet-spirited film focusing on a 6-year-old, with Julie Andrews as her nanny. It’s on Freeform at 10 a.m.; then at 7 a.m., Dec. 20.
– Dec. 15: “Coat of Many Colors,” 8-10 p.m., NBC. This is based on the Dolly Parton song, with Jennifer Nettles as the earnest and loving mom.
— Dec. 22: “Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love,” 8-10 p.m., NBC. This continues Parton’s story, including a blizzard and a hint of a future in music.
— Dec. 22, 24, 29: CBS reruns (9-11 p.m.) the three films, varying sharply in quality, it debuted last year. “Fit For Christmas” (Dec. 22) is flat and predictable … “When Christmas Was Young” (Dec. 24) has some good moments, including a song written by Sheryl Crow … “Must Love Christmas” (Dec. 29) is clever.
NEW MOVIE (broadcast)
Dec. 25: “Call the Midwife” holiday special, 8-9:30 p.m., PBS. In the two weeks before Christmas in 1968, the stories range from light (Trixie’s brother takes control of the Christmas pageant) to life-and-death (a desperate ambulance ride during a snowstorm.
NEW MOVIES, cable or streaming
Any time (Disney+): “The Naughty Nine.” A 5th-grader, who didn’t get a present from Santa, organizes other naughty-listers for a North Pole heist.
Any time (Amazon Prime): “Candy Dane Lane. Eddie Murphy plays a family guy, desperate to win the neighborhood’s holiday lighting contest.
Any time (Peacock): “Genie.” Melissa McCarthy plays a genie, tasked with helping a workaholic get backt o family life for the holidays.
Any time (Fox Nation):Films include “Christmas With the Foxes,” “Christmas With the Knightys,” “Christmas With the Foxes,” “Christmasin Big Sky Country,” Christmas in Maple Hills.”
Dec. 6: “Christmas as Usual,” Dec. 6, Netflix. There’s an uneasy blend of traditions from Norway and India.
Dec. 7: “To All a Good Night,” 8 p.m., Hallmark Movies & Mysteries.
Dec. 8: “Magic in Mistletoe,” 8 p.m,, Hallmark. A grumpy author returns home for a festival celebrating his books.
Dec. 9: “Christmas on Mistletoe Lane,” 8 p.m., Hallmark. Catherine Bell and James Denton – who spent years playing a witch and her husband on Hallmark, now play an engaged couple in a multi-generation story.
Dec. 9: “A Cowboy Christmas,” 8 p.m., Lifetime. Jana Kramer, who’s also a country singer, plays a business whiz, reluctantly visiting her home town to close a deal.
Dec. 9: “Meet Me Under the Mistletoe,” 8 p.m., GAF andHulu
Dec. 10: “Christmas at the Amish Bakery,” 7 p.m. ET, UpTV. A woman who left the Amish community returns home when she’s trying to develop an Amish cookbook.
Dec. 10: “Round and Round,” 8 p.m., Hallmark. In a time loop, Rachel is stuck on the night of her parents’ Hanukkah party.
Dec. 10: “Yes, Chef! Christmas,” 8 p.m., Lifetime. Tia Mowry stars, with Buddy Valastro (a real-life chef) as her mentor.
Dec. 10: “Peppermints & Postcards,” 8 p.m., GAF.
Dec. 14: “Heaven Down Here,” 8 p.m., Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. Based on a Mickey Guyton song, this has four strangers (including Tina Lifford of “Queen Sugar”) stranded in a diner during a snowstorm.
Dec. 15: “The Secret Gift of Christmas,” 8 p.m., Hallmark. Meghan Ohry, the “Chesapeake Shore” star, plays a personal shopper for a widower with a daughter.
Dec. 16: “Sealed With a List,” 8 p.m., Hallmark. Katie Findlay, who stars in CW’s “Spencer Sisters” plays someone determined to conquer all the resolutions she abandoned in previous years.
Dec. 16: “Designing Christmas with You,” 8 p.m., GAF.
Dec. 16: “The Holiday Proposal Plan,” 8 p.m., Lifetime. Tatyani Ali stars.
Dec. 16: “A Christmas Intern,” 10 p.m., Lifetime. Jackee Harry, who also performs an original song, plays a retiree, working at her daughter’s cyber company.
Dec. 17: “Dial S for Santa,” 7 p.m. ET, UpTV. Returning to her home for Christmas, a private detective is soon trying to solve a string of store robberies.
Dec. 17: “Friends & Family Christmas,” 8 p.m., Hallmark. To appease their parents, Daniella and Amelia pretend they’re dating each other.
Dec. 17: “12 Games of Christmas,” 8 p.m. ET, GAF. During a party, friends and neighbors are transported to a Christmas-themed board game.
Dec. 17: “Merry Magic Christmas.” 8 p.m., Lifetime. A financial consultant, working with a theater company, keeps seeing the same number pop up.
Dec. 21: “Miracle in Bethlehem PA,” 8 p.m.,. Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. Laura Vandervoort plays an adoptive mom who can’t get a room in the inn at Christmastime.
Dec. 23: “Mom’s Christmas Boyfriend,” 8 p.m., Lifetime. A 10-year-old, who was adopted from China as a baby, enters a Christmas-wish contest, wishing for a guy for her mom.
Dec. 23: “A Royal Christmas Holiday,” 8 p.m. ET, GAF. A reporter interviews a visiting European prince.
Dec. 24: “A Christmas Letter,” 7 p.m., ET UpTV.
THEATRICAL MOVIES, the classics
(These aren’t necessarily Christmas films, but families like to catch them during the holidays.)
— “The Wizard of Oz” (1939). TBS has it at 9:15 p.m., Dec. 15. 8 p.m., Dec. 16; and 8 and 10:15 p.m., Dec. 25. TNT has it at 6:45 p.m., Dec. 24.
— “Frozen” (2013), 8-10 p.m. Dec. 10 on ABC. it’s also on Freeform at 8:20 p.m., Dec. 8 and 6:20 p.m., Dec. 18, both times followed by its sequel(2019).
— “The Sound of Music” (1965), 7-11 p.m. Dec. 17, ABC.
— “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946), 8-11 p.m. Dec. 24, NBC.
THEATRICAL MOVIES
— “Arthur Christmas” (2011), an animated trifle, is on TBS at 1:30 p.m., Dec. 23.
— “Meet Me in St. Louis” (1944), spans the seasons, but includes Judy Garland debuting “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” Turner Classic Movies has it at noon ET, Dec. 16; ; 8 p.m., Dec. 21; 6 p.m. ET, Dec. 24.
— “Miracle on 34th Street” – the 1994 one, with Mara Wilson and Richard Attenborough — is on Freeform at 11:20 p.m., Dec. 15; 12:35 p.m., Dec. 19; and 10:30 a.m., Dec. 23. Andit’s on Hulu, which also has the 1947 original, co-starring a young Natalie Wood.
— “Home Alone” (1990) is stuffed with great sight gags, as a boy defends his home from Christmastime thieves. It’s 8-10 p.m. Dec. 24, ABC. By then, it will have aired 19 times on Freeform, each time with its sequel two-and-a-half hours later. Starting times include: 3:30 p.m., Dec. 15; 11:30 a.m., Dec. 16; 6:20 p.m., Dec. 17; 3:10 p.m., Dec. 19; 6:20 p.m., Dec. 21; 10 a.m., Dec. 22, 5:10 p.m., Dec. 23 and 6 p.m. Dec. 25.