Crown Media Brought Cheer to December IFE with Hallmark Channel Holiday Movies

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The Christmas House (2020). Photo: Luba Popovic via Crown Media

In 2021, Crown Media continued its annual tradition of bringing cheer and goodwill to airline passengers throughout the busy holiday travel season with the provision of Hallmark Channel originals.

Whether it’s packing oddly-sized gifts into your carry-on, unexpected weather delays or simply traveling with kids and other extended family members, flying during the holidays can be stressful. But Crown Media hoped to alleviate some of that stress and reignite the magic of the festive season with a slate of Hallmark Channel original movies.

A Christmas Tree Grows in Colorado. Photo: Ryan Plummer via Crown Media

The Hallmark Channel was recently ranked the #1 most-watched cable network during Thanksgiving week for the ninth year in a row, thanks in part to it’s hugely-popular Countdown to Christmas film slate, so Crown Media’s decision to share the holiday magic with viewers in-flight was a no brainer. 

Hallmark Channel originals that played throughout December on select Delta, Alaska and American Airlines flights worldwide included Love, Lights, Hanukkah! with Mia Kirshner, Ben Savage, and Taxi’s Marilu Henner; and The Christmas House, starring Robert Buckley, Ana Ayora, Jonathan Bennett, and Emmy-nominees Sharon Lawrence and Treat Williams.

Christmas Waltz. Photo: Bettina Strauss via Crown Media 

The 2021 roster of Hallmark Channel in-flight entertainment (IFE) offerings had something for everyone. The line-up also contained holiday favorites like 2019’s Christmas Town, starring Full House’s Candace Cameron Bure, Tim Rozon, and Beth Broderick; and newer releases like A Christmas Tree Grows in Colorado with Rochelle Aytes and Mark Taylor.

Crown Media hopes longtime fans of Hallmark Channel originals will have delighted in seeing Love, Romance and Chocolate’s Lacey Chabert and Will Kemp reunite for the dance-themed romance Christmas Waltz; and that country music fans took an instant shine to A Nashville Christmas Carol. Featuring star turns by Country at Heart’s Jessy Schram and Christmas at Graceland’s Wes Brown, Nashville is a modern take on a Charles Dickens classic, with appearances from According to Jim’s Kimberley Williams-Paisley and country music superstars like Wynonna Judd, Kix Brooks and Sara Evans. 

Love, Lights, Hannukah! Photo: Farah Nosh via Crown Media

“We’re proud to provide the comfort and joy of Hallmark Channel holiday movies across Alaska, American and Delta Airlines’ IFE options during the most special time of year,” Crown Media’s SVP Content Distribution, Holly Henderson, told APEX Media. “As families and friends embarked on their journeys to connect and be together for the holidays, this notable collection of films will have complemented their travel experience.”