This holiday season, Corus Entertainment’s YTV is once again the destination for premiere Christmas programming for the entire family. Viewers won’t want to miss two highly anticipated Dreamworks Animation SKG Inc.’s (Nasdaq: DWA) specials Kung Fu Panda Holiday and Merry Madagascar. YTV has also pooled together talented cast members from viewers’ favourite series in YTV’s Holly Jolly Special, hosted by Carlos.
PREMIERE HOLIDAY SPECIALS
KUNG FU PANDA HOLIDAY – PREMIERE
The winter feast is Po’s (voiced by Jack Black) favourite holiday. Every year, he and his father hang decorations, cook together and serve noodle soup to the villagers. But this year, Shifu informs Po that as Dragon Warrior, it is his duty to host the formal Winter Feast at the Jade Palace. Po is caught between his obligations as the Dragon Warrior and his family traditions: between Shifu and Mr. Ping. This DreamWorks Animation production premieres Wednesday, December 15 at 7 p.m. (r) Sunday, December 19 at 11 a.m., Thursday, December 23 at 4 p.m.
MERRY MADAGASCAR – PREMIERE
Merry Madagascar begins when Santa and his sleigh unexpectedly crash-land on an island, giving the jolly gentleman a case of amnesia. So it falls to Alex, Marty, Melman and Gloria – along with the ever-inventive Penguins – to deliver the presents and save Christmas. It doesn’t hurt that Santa’s sleigh just might be able to make a little trip to New York City, so they can finally return to their beloved home. Also included is the long-lasting North Pole/South Pole rivalry between the Penguins and Santa’s reindeer, plus magic flying dust and a King Julien-based holiday called “Julienuary.” This DreamWorks Animation production premieres on Thursday, December 16 at 7 p.m. (r) Sunday, December 19 at 11:30 a.m., Friday, December 24 at 4 p.m.
HOLLY JOLLY SPECIAL – PREMIERE
While preparing for the holidays, YTV’s host Carlos wants to pull together something special for audiences at home. Finally, it comes to him – he has decided to ‘direct’ a holiday music video, and he’s going to call upon his friends, the top 6 from The Next Star, to help him out. After everyone arrives from across Canada, the crew brainstorms some outrageous ideas on what the video should look like. Throughout this 30-minute special, viewers will get a taste of some holiday skits from That’s So Weird!, shout outs from special guests from some of viewers’ favourite YTV series and catch the video premiere of the title track All I Want for Christmas Is You. Produced by Tricon Films & Television, YTV’s Holly Jolly Special premieres on Wednesday, December 15 at 7:30 p.m. (r) Sunday, December 19 at 8:30 p.m., Tuesday, December 21 at 9 p.m., Thursday, December 23 at 9:30 p.m., Friday, December 24 at 3 p.m. and Saturday, December 25 at 2 p.m.
CLASSIC CHRISTMAS SPECIALS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS (1965)
Lucy counsels a depressed Charlie Brown through the holiday season by directing the Christmas play. Charlie Brown sets out to find the perfect Christmas tree to decorate the stage, though his scruffy choice draws sneers from the other kids. But after some timely words from Linus, he does discover the real meaning of the holiday season. A Charlie Brown Christmas airs Saturday, December 18 at 6 p.m. (r) Sunday, December 19 at 10 a.m., Wednesday, December 22 at 7 p.m.
A GARFIELD CHRISTMAS SPECIAL (1987)
Garfield finds himself on an old-fashioned holiday at the family farm with Jon’s mom, dad, brother and grandmother. The Emmy®-nominated A Garfield Christmas Special airs Saturday, December 18 at 8:30 p.m. (r) Wednesday, December 22 at 7:30 p.m.
RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER (1964)
When the young reindeer Rudolph is teased for his red nose, he perseveres by using his ultra-bright nose to save Christmas by helping Santa Claus see through a storm. Viewers can catch this classic tale, narrated by Burl Ives, on Monday, December 20 at 7 p.m. (r) Saturday, December 25 at 12 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Viewers can visit www.ytv.com for the latest and greatest holiday activities, games and programming schedules. Beginning on December 1, the site will offer a new holiday-themed activity every day counting down to New Years Eve.
