Hallmark’s Top 3 Holiday Movies Dominate 2024 Cable Ratings
In 2024, Hallmark Channel once again proved its dominance in holiday programming. For the 11th year in a row, the network’s original holiday programming made it the most-watched entertainment cable network of the year. This was true for key demographics like Total Viewers, Persons 18+, and Women 18+. The Countdown to Christmas event featured over 30 new holiday movies. These movies premiered each weekend from October through December. The top three Hallmark movies not only led the holiday season but also emerged as the most-watched movies across all cable TV in 2024.
Top 3 Most-Watched Hallmark Movies of 2024
Hallmark’s top three most-watched movies of the year garnered significant attention from fans and the press alike. These films became the cornerstone of Hallmark’s holiday success:
- Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story – This movie, starring Tyler Hynes and Hunter King, topped the charts as the most-watched movie of 2024. Featuring cameos by Donna Kelce, Jenna Bush Hager, and multiple Chiefs players, it even had a red carpet premiere in Kansas City hosted by Benjamin Ayres.
- Three Wiser Men and a Boy – The sequel to 2022’s hit “Three Wise Men and a Baby,” this film, starring Tyler Hynes, Andrew Walker, and Paul Campbell, secured the second spot in viewership.
- Santa Tell Me – This film brought back “When Calls The Heart” stars Erin Krakow and Daniel Lissing for a highly-anticipated reunion. It featured cameos from Benjamin Ayres, Christopher Russell, and Kurt Szarka, making it the third most popular movie of the year.
Discrepancies in Holiday Ratings
While Hallmark’s viewership data, based on Nielsen ratings, highlighted these top three films, another report by SambaTV presented a different ranking. SambaTV’s mid-December report listed “Santa Tell Me” as Hallmark’s top movie. It also included “‘Tis the Season to Be Irish” and “Our Holiday Story” among the top holiday films. However, SambaTV did not disclose its data calculation methods or the demographics it considered.
Cord-Cutting and Streaming Trends
Forbes noted that the trend of cord-cutting and the rise in streaming video continued to impact cable TV viewership in 2024. Despite this, Hallmark managed to maintain its holiday programming success. Other networks like Lifetime, BET, and Great American Family have also tried to copy Hallmark’s annual holiday success.
Launch of Hallmark+
In response to the growing shift towards streaming, Hallmark launched its own streaming platform, Hallmark+, in September 2024. This move ensured that viewers who had moved away from traditional cable could still enjoy Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Mystery originals. The network announced that every new movie would be available on Hallmark+ the day after its linear cable premiere.
Hallmark+ Programming
Although Hallmark did not provide specific viewership numbers for its initial months, the platform’s programming lineup included several holiday series and movies:
- Mistletoe Murders
- Holidazed
- Ready, Set, Glow! – Starring Wes Brown
- Finding Mr. Christmas – Co-created by Jonathan Bennett and already renewed for another season
Hallmark Mystery also contributed to the network’s success with its “Miracles of Christmas” lineup. This lineup featured movies like “This Time Each Year” starring Alison Sweeney and Niall Matter. This helped Hallmark Mystery become the fourth most-watched entertainment cable network in 2024 among key demographics.
Conclusion
Hallmark’s unwavering commitment to delivering heartwarming holiday content has solidified its status as a leader in holiday programming.
Despite the challenges posed by cord-cutting and the rise of streaming, the network’s strategic launch of Hallmark+ and its consistent production of beloved holiday movies have ensured its continued success.
As we look forward to future holiday seasons, Hallmark’s ability to capture the magic of Christmas and bring joy to viewers remains unparalleled.
