BYUtv Comes "Home for Christmas" With Movies, Music And Memories This Holiday Season

PROVO, Utah, Nov. 1, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- BYUtv, a network that connects families through positive, uplifting entertainment, today announced its 2018 annual holiday programming roster: "Home for Christmas – Movies, Music and Memories." This year's programming includes a made-for-tv film that reminds us Christmas is a time for forgiveness, acceptance and miracles; two holiday concerts featuring acclaimed music groups Train and The Band Perry; a wildly popular comedy show that finds the funny throughout the holidays; a holiday-themed primetime game show and the 15^th annual "Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir" starring Tony Award-winning actress Sutton Foster of TV Land's "Younger" and renowned actor Hugh Bonneville of "Downton Abbey" on MASTERPIECE.

"BYUtv is proud to offer viewers films, concerts and comedy that capture the true spirit of Christmas, resonate with viewers of all ages and brings families together at home to make memories during the holiday season," said Michael Dunn, managing director of BYUtv.

On Sunday, Dec. 2 at 9 p.m. ET, BYUtv presents its annual holiday film, "Shoelaces for Christmas." The original scripted holiday television movie is based on the popular novel by Craig S. Buehner. After an altercation with her ailing mother, self-absorbed teenager Jennifer inadvertently stumbles into a local homeless shelter late one evening. Upset with his daughter's selfish attitude, Jennifer's father offers an ultimatum that includes her volunteering at the shelter in the hope she will learn to be responsible and compassionate toward others. Through this new experience, Jennifer creates an unlikely bond with both the staff and one very special young guest, which leads her to a deeper understanding that the true meaning of Christmas is love and family.

"Shoelaces for Christmas" was produced by Gaumont – the first and oldest film company in the world, directed by Craig Clyde ("Heaven's Door") and written by Clyde and Bryce Fillmore ("Storm Rider").

An annual BYUtv holiday tradition, "Christmas Under the Stars" features two exciting and inspirational holiday concerts that are performed live in front of a large audience of fans and also incorporate intimate, cinematic musical moments. This year's headliners are Train and The Band Perry. Past performers have included Gladys Knight, Smokey Robinson, Patti LaBelle, Yolanda Adams, Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith and Five for Fighting.

On Sunday, Dec. 9 at 8 p.m. ET, Train will perform their hit songs "Drops of Jupiter" and "Calling all Angels," their original anthem "Shake Up Christmas," and holiday favorites "Please Come Home for Christmas" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," among others.

On Sunday, Dec. 16 at 8 p.m. ET, The Band Perry will also be performing holiday classics, including "Oh Holy Night" and "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," in addition to their hit single "If I Die Young" and two songs from their recently released album.

On Monday, Dec. 10 at 8 p.m. ET, contestants on the primetime family game show, "Just Like Mom and Dad," compete in a special Christmas-themed episode featuring fun questions, questionable baking, spectacular prizes and surprises.

On Monday, Dec. 10 at 9 p.m. ET, the cast of viral sensation "Studio C" celebrates the holidays during their special Christmas-themed episode in which they perform original sketches including "Worst Santa Elf Ever," "Wrap Rage" and "Brotherly Christmas," among others.

On Thursday, Dec. 20 at 8 p.m. ET, Tony Award-winner Sutton Foster and renowned actor Hugh Bonneville star in the 15^th annual "Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir." The elaborate, Victorian-themed program celebrates Christmas through music, dance and storytelling. A 60-minute version of the program returns to PBS, where it has been the top-viewed holiday program nearly every year for the past 14 years, when it premieres at 9 p.m. ET on Monday, Dec. 17 (check local listings). BYUtv will air the full 90-minute version.  

Throughout Thanksgiving and Christmas, BYUtv will also be re-airing some of its popular Christmas programming from recent years, including "Christmas Under the Stars" concerts starring Gladys Knight and Friends, Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith with Jordan Smith, Five for Fighting and Gentri with Lexi Walker; "Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir" featuring world-renowned operatic tenor Rolando Villazon; a new "Just Like Mom and Dad" Christmas-themed episode; past "Studio C" and "The Story Trek" Christmas episodes; and holiday movies "Christmas Angel," "48 Christmas Wishes," "Christmas Miracle at Sage Creek," "The Family Holiday," "A Christmas Village," "Silent Night" and "Christmas Oranges."

Artwork, images and b-roll for each new program and other BYUtv shows, as well as a full programming schedule, are available upon request. BYUtv executives are available for interviews.

About BYUtv
BYUtv provides families more than 1,700 hours of entertaining and compelling programming they can enjoy together. The network's content is trusted, contemporary and clean, yet clever and sophisticated enough to inspire children and parents alike. BYUtv's diverse portfolio of original, co-produced and acquired content includes scripted and unscripted dramas and comedies, 700+ hours of live HD collegiate sports, game shows, and holiday special made-for-tv movies, docudramas and concerts. BYUtv is available in 50 million homes in every state of the country on DISH Network, DirecTV and 146 other major cable systems. A digital pioneer, BYUtv was the first U.S. television network to stream all of its content live and unencrypted over the Internet. Today, BYUtv has over 1 million YouTube subscribers and 1 billion views and is available live and on-demand on multiple digital platforms free of charge, including Apple TV, YouTube, Roku, Amazon Fire, Chromecast, Xbox One, Windows Media, digital apps for iOS and Android and BYUtv.org. Based in Provo, Utah, BYUtv is part of BYU Broadcasting, which is owned by Brigham Young University.

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