4.6 • 13.2K Ratings
🗓️ 1 December 2021
⏱️ 27 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
In 2009 the Hallmark Channel launched "Countdown to Christmas," which included four original movies made on a modest budget that follow a predictable formula. It was an immediate ratings hit, catapulting Hallmark to the top of the cable charts. Competitors start to take notice, most notably Lifetime, which caters to the same demographic. Three years later, Lifetime launches their own block of Christmas programming called “It’s a Wonderful Lifetime” featuring similar original movies. It kicks off a Christmas movie rivalry that is big business.
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0:00.0 | Hey, prime members, you can listen to business wars at free on Amazon Music. Download the app today. |
0:16.9 | It's early evening summer 2017 |
0:20.7 | Production manager Jamie Lake slugs back lukewarm coffee as he pulls on to exit 2.16 of the trans Canada highway |
0:28.9 | His assistant doses in the passenger seat |
0:33.2 | Lake nudges his assistant shoulder wake up. We're almost there |
0:40.2 | His assistant stretches and takes in the surroundings |
0:44.1 | What do you think eighth times the charm? |
0:47.3 | Lake gives a non-committal grunt |
0:50.3 | They've spent the last 12 hours criss-crossing the greater Vancouver area |
0:54.5 | Scouting locations for the upcoming movie Iraqi Mountain Christmas for the hallmark channel |
1:00.4 | It's about a woman who escapes to her uncle's ranch after a breakup and meets a Hollywood actor preparing for a role |
1:07.7 | The town has to be perfect |
1:10.3 | Quaint and welcoming like the audience is stepping into a snow globe |
1:15.1 | But so far nothing's been quite right |
1:19.4 | Lake turns right then right again and suddenly |
1:23.3 | They're driving down the picturesque main street of Fort Langley, British Columbia |
1:29.4 | Clapper's storefronts painted bright red yellow and green line the streets |
1:34.5 | Lush leafy trees dot the sidewalks signs advertise bookstores clothing boutiques and cozy coffee shops |
1:43.5 | Lake's assistant grabs his camera and bounds out of the car |
1:47.3 | Lake adjusts his baseball cap low on his head and ambles after him |
1:51.1 | His assistant grins as he takes a photo of an ice cream parlor. This is what I'm talking about. This is a hallmark card come to life |
2:00.9 | Lake strokes his salt and pepper go tea and narrows his eyes |
... |
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