Here's everything you need to know about the world of television for Tuesday, December 16th, 2025:
CHRISTMAS IS MORE THAN JUST ABOUT ROMANCE
There are few programming ideas in television that have been more successful than the Hallmark Christmas Movie franchise. The settings of each movie might be slightly different (it's amazing how Canada can look like so many different places), but the format is so established that it has become its own trope. Hallmark's vision of Christmas might include holiday good tidings and plenty of snow. But they are primarily about finding your true love at the last place your expect to discover it.
As fine as many of those movies are, I admit that I miss those classic Hallmark Hall Of Fame movies. The ones that focused on stories of redemption such as My Name Is Bill W. or films that highlighted communities coming together for the better good. Those heart-warming tales about an orphan who finds the perfect fit of a family or a Secret Santa who uplifts the broken spirits who need it most.
While it’s true that stoic hunky ranch hands and hardworking female executives who don’t have time for romance need love as much as anyone, I’d like to see television attempt something new every so often. Maybe try and remember Christmas is more than just about getting a little something from your high-school sweetheart. It’s about the open-hearted cheer that can make the world feel a bit less dark and dreary.
2025 has been a tough year for all of us. It would be nice to have something uplifting and sweet to enjoy this Christmas.
THIS IS CERTAINLY ONE WAY TO SPIN IT
I've written a few times about how much production has slowed on the various WBD-owned linear networks.
So it's not surprising that networks such as HGTV have to figure out new ways to make less production sound impressive. Such as touting the network is adding "Over 30 Episodes of Original Content To 2026 Slate." Which turns out to be renewals of Zillow Gone Wild and Castle Impossible as well as the new series Wild Vacation Rentals. In fact, Zillow Gone Wild will account for 16 of those episodes.
The official logline of Wild Vacation Rentals sound like some AI mash-up of a dozen other HGTV shows:
Actresses and comedians Sherry Cola (Joy Ride) and D’Arcy Carden (The Good Place) will embark on an epic girls' trip of a lifetime to visit America’s extraordinary vacation homes in the new HGTV series Wild Vacation Rentals (Big Fish Entertainment). In each of the eight half-hour episodes, Sherry and D’Arcy will explore three of the most enchanting, eccentric and downright bizarre rentals that the country’s hot destinations have to offer, ultimately picking one “must stay” property per episode. With today’s endless getaway possibilities—from a cave to a bird's nest and a missile silo to an old western town—the duo will find the top spots that are worth travelers’ time and money, sharing the homes’ hilariously honest reviews, unbelievable stories straight from the owners, and incredible designs and unique quirks.
No wonder linear TV is facing a slow death. This is the type of show that I might watch if I stumbled across it on a FAST channel. But as much as I enjoy home programming, I can't imagine being bored enough to seek this one out on purpose.
HOLLYWOOD IS EITHER GOING TO BELIEVE NETFLIX OR NOT
On Monday, Netflix's co-CEOs Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters released an update on the company's bid for Warner Brothers studios and streaming. And it included this passage about Netflix's plans for the WB theatrical business:
Will we preserve theatrical releases as part of WBD’s distribution model? Yes—we’re fully committed to releasing Warner Bros. movies in theaters,
just as they do today. Theatrical is an important part of their business and legacy, and we don’t want to change what makes Warner Bros. so valuable. If
this deal had happened two years ago, hits like Minecraft and Superman would still have premiered on the big screen as they did—and that’s how we
plan to keep it. We haven’t prioritized theatrical in the past because that wasn’t our business at Netflix. When this deal closes, we will be in that
business.
Some feel this is the end of Hollywood. What’s our response to that? This is something that we’ve heard for a long time—including when we started
the streaming business. Our stance then and now is the same—we see this as a win for the entertainment industry, not the end of it. This deal is about
growth: Warner Bros. brings businesses and capabilities we don’t have, so there’s no overlap or studio closures. We’re strengthening one of Hollywood’s
most iconic studios, supporting jobs, and ensuring a healthy future for film and TV production.
Now you might think that saying "hey, we're committed to a theatrical model" would make Hollywood's creatives feel better about the prospects of Netflix owning a major movie studio. But you would be wrong. These comments this morning from The Ankler's Sean McNulty:
The unfortunate thing is that everyone, including NETFLIX, knows the statement that everyone is waiting for — good or bad:
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“Our plan is to release xxx to xxx films in theaters from WARNER BROS. annually going forward as far as we can see, with a theatrical window between xxx and xxx days. We think this is a great, winning approach in the theatrical movie business.” This is literally the only thing everyone wants to hear from you. Full Stop.
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It should also be noted that David Ellison didn’t seem to have too much of a problem doing that — well, at least with the first half of that.
It's worth noting that none of these public statements of intent are under oath. Either Netflix or Paramount Skydance could commit now to releasing X number of films for a minimum theatrical window of eight weeks. And then backtrack once they have won the bid, citing "market challenges."
Some of this pushback against Netflix comes from real concern about the future. But some of it - from publications such as The Ankler - is an effort to be seen as being on the "right" side of the story with Hollywood creatives, who are also their most valuable clients. It's a more nuanced version of kissing up to the studios. But supporting the argument of the people who pay your bills is always a good business move.
The truth is that I think most people know why Netflix isn't being that explicit. Theatrical release windows are likely to be decided on a movie-by-movie basis. There are plenty of things Netflix does that I don't agree with. But I have a lot of confidence in their ability to maximize the amount of profit from any project.
ODDS AND SODS:
* If you want to relive the year that was in television and streaming, here is the complete list of everything that has premiered in 2025 (so far).
* AP investigative reporter Byron Tau wrote a chilling look at how political pressure from pro-Trump influencers and FCC chair Brendan Carr affected KCBS-AM in the Bay Area. Political reporting was cut back and anchors were encouraged to cover more "family friendly" topics.
* Season four of The Traitors will premiere Thursday, January 8th on Peacock.
* Netflix has named Dani Dudeck its chief communications officer. She is joining Netflix from Instacart, where she serves as chief corporate affairs officer. She’s also held posts at Zynga and MySpace.
* Speaking of Netflix, the streamer has signed a deal with iHeartMedia for the rights to stream 15 podcasts including Charlamagne tha God's The Breakfast Club, My Favorite Murder and Chelsea Handler's Dear Chelsea.
* The video podcast Good Trouble With Nick Kyrgios moves to Tubi for its second season.
* And in some disappointing news, Netflix has declined to pick up a second season of the great series Boots.
WHAT'S COMING TODAY AND TOMORROW
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16TH, 2025:
Beat Bobby Flay: Holiday Throwdown Season Four Finale (Food)
Culinary Class Wars Season Two Premiere (Netflix)
Fallout Season Two Premiere (Prime Video)
Great Performances: Nutcracker From English National Ballet (PBS)
My Next Guest Needs No Introduction With David Letterman Season Six Premiere (Netflix)
NCIS Fall Finale (CBS)
NCIS Sydney Fall Finale (CBS)
The Boulet Brothers' Dragula Holiday Of Horrors (AMC+/Shudder)
The Rob Reiner Story: A Hollywood Tragedy – ABC News Special (ABC)
The Secrets We Bury (Investigation Discovery)
The Voice Season Twenty-Eight Finale (NBC)
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17TH, 2025:
iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2025 (ABC)
Murder In Monaco (Netflix)
The Manny (Netflix)
What's In The Box? Series Premiere (Netflix)
SEE YOU EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING!