Entertainment
Christmas movie production reaches new record
Settling down in front of feel-good festive movies has become a modern Christmas tradition – and has driven the production of seasonal films to record-breaking levels this year.
More than 200 new feature films and TV movies with the word Christmas in the title are listed on the Internet Movie Database (IMDB) for release in 2021.
That number has doubled since 2016 and is four times more than in 2011.
Channels and streamers have discovered festive films are big ratings winners.
Christmas movies have been popular for decades, and classics like Home Alone, Love Actually and It’s A Wonderful Life will be widely watched again in the coming weeks.
But the boom in a new breed of festive films can be traced back to the Hallmark US cable channel’s decision to launch a special season of TV movies in 2009.
Its first Countdown To Christmas featured four original productions and delivered record audiences.
This year, its countdown started even earlier, on 22 October, and includes a record 42 original holiday films.
Boyfriends Of Christmas Past is one of Hallmark’s 42 original festive films this year
“They bet really big on Christmas and everyone else seemed to notice the ratings,” says Brandon Gray, co-host of the Deck the Hallmark podcast and one of the authors of a new book called I’ll Be Home for Christmas Movies.
Rival channel Lifetime was among those to take notice and has made 35 of its own Christmas crowd-pleasers this year, also its highest number yet.
Streaming platforms are tapping into the seasonal demand too, with Netflix offering a dozen original films starring big names like John Cleese, Kelsey Grammar and Brooke Shields.
The IMDB numbers only include movies with “Christmas” in the title, meaning the true number of festive films is even higher.
This season’s big cinema releases include Silent Night, starring Keira Knightley, and Aml Ameen’s Boxing Day, which also stars Little Mix’s Leigh-Anne Pinnock.
When it comes to made-for-TV movies, many are relatively low-budget and use a feel-good formula to tell stories of romance and family – and are cosy and comforting enough to cancel out being corny and cheesy.
“It’s this magical season when the storyline that’s on the screen doesn’t matter as long as there’s a bunch of Christmas trees in the background and it’s snowing,” says Gray.
“For viewers, it’s just a way to escape and to feel for at least two hours this little bit of peace in the midst of the craziness of the holiday season and the craziness of the world in which we have lived in the last couple years.”
Successful formula
Hallmark built its festive empire on films that look and feel the same, Gray says.
“They have the same aesthetic because they figured out what works: ‘If we keep everything basically uniform – not too funny, not too sad – people will go from one movie to the next.’
“So you have the two people that fall in love and there’s some sort of misunderstanding with about 30 minutes to go and then they’ll figure it out, and they’ll kiss.
“And you do it over and over again, and as long as it looks uniform and feels uniform, people will watch one after the other.”
This year is the best crop of films so far, Gray says – partly because channels like Hallmark are beginning to experiment with that formula.
“Especially this year, I feel the change, where they’re putting more emphasis on different types of stories,” he says. “They’re working hard with inclusion and making sure that the stories that are being told match what you’re seeing on the screen.
“So it’s no longer them just putting a person of colour on screen in a white world, but they’re actually telling stories that feel authentic to who you’re watching on screen.”
In the UK, some of those TV movies have been playing on the Great! Movies Christmas channel since 23 September, and on Channel 5 in the daytimes since early November.
Source: graphic.com.gh
Ghanaian music icon, Akwasi Poku Addae, known in Showbiz circles as Kwaisey Pee has honoured his promise to children suffering from cancer.
Ahead of his 25th anniversary event held at the D’ Icon Event Centre at East Legon last year, he made a promise to donate some funds to children suffering from cancer.
True to his word, the musician has recently made a donation of GHC50,000 to the Paediatric Oncology Unit of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
He told the Ghanaian Times that children are so dear to him, and was optimistic the support would go a long way too impact lives.
The music dynamo also promised that the gesture will not be the last,” it will be a continuous feature from me.”
He also called on Ghanaians home and abroad to lend a helping hand to children suffering from cancer.
According to him, children with cancer have many needs, and a helping hands will go a long way ease the suffering.
“Cancer treatment is very expensive, and leaving that to parents of the children alone, will be a huge burden, with support from you and myself, we can make some changes in other people’s lives,” he concluded.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
In the ever-evolving journey of Ghanaian music, there are individuals whose contributions transcend the spotligh.
There are always men and women who work quietly yet powerfully to preserve culture, nurture legends, and keep the soul of the music alive across generations and borders.
One such figures is Jerry Amoah, widely known and affectionately called Nana Kobo.
This year, Ghana Music Awards-USA honours Jerry Amoah for his unwavering commitment to sustaining Ghanaian music, both at home and in the diaspora.
It is a recognition long deserved, a celebration of decades of passion, sacrifice, and cultural stewardship.
Jerry Amoah’s journey has never been about personal glory. Instead, it has been anchored in service: promoting Ghanaian sounds, advocating for artistes, and ensuring that the richness of Ghana’s musical heritage continues to resonate beyond national borders.
Through his tireless efforts, many Ghanaian musicians have found platforms, audiences, and renewed relevance, especially within Ghanaian communities abroad.
Central to his legacy is his steadfast support for gospel music and, in particular, his enduring association with legendary gospel icon Yaw Sarpong.
At times when gospel music needed champions, Jerry Amoah stood firm—protecting its values, amplifying its message, and honoring its pioneers. His respect for Yaw Sarpong is not merely professional; it reflects a deep appreciation for music as ministry, heritage, and moral compass.
Colleagues often describe Nana Kobo as a bridge—connecting generations, genres, and geographies.
He understands that Ghanaian music is not just entertainment, but identity. Through festivals, promotions, mentorship, and behind-the-scenes advocacy, he has helped ensure that Ghana’s rhythms, lyrics, and spiritual expressions remain relevant in a globalized world.
As Ghana Music Awards-USA prepares to bestow this honour, it is not simply recognizing one man—it is saluting a lifetime of dedication to culture, faith, and music.
Jerry Amoah’s story reminds us that true impact is measured not by applause, but by legacy.
And in the story of Ghanaian music, Nana Kobo’s legacy is written in bold, enduring notes.
