A Sleigh-Full of Holiday Programs

Family values, tradition, nostalgia, goodwill--these are qualities often associated with the holiday season. They are also sentiments that television will be promoting--and exploiting--with a monthlong deluge of Christmas and holiday programming that begins today.

CBS alone will serve up eight new specials, movies and family programs with Christmas themes, plus rebroadcasts of a number of perennial favorites such as “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” “Frosty the Snowman” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”

“We have by far the best and longest-standing tradition of holiday programming [among television networks],” boasts Terry Botwick, vice president of prime-time specials for CBS. “We hope to present a holiday tradition that has nostalgic value but also a compelling sensibility for a contemporary audience.”

But there would still be plenty of Christmas programming available even without the presence of CBS. Both over-the-air and cable television will be teeming with yuletide-based programs, from parades and feel-good movies to documentaries and musical celebrations. As usual, many episodic programs, particularly sitcoms, will join the party with Christmas-themed segments.

This avalanche of holiday programming is not spurred simply by good cheer. A well-made Christmas program promoting the spirit of giving and brotherhood can be a choice vehicle for advertisers.

“There would appear to be some logic [to the suggestion] that if you’re watching a program and it’s getting you in the Christmas mood, that you might be a little more open to retail opportunities that are being presented to you,” Botwick says.

Here’s a look at some of the holiday programs coming up between now and Christmas.

Family

“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”: Television’s longest-running annual holiday special returns tonight. 8 p.m. CBS.

“Christmas Party”: The Cartoon Network presents eight hours of animated Christmas programs from “Casper’s First Christmas” to “Christmas Comes to Pacland.” Today. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

“The Story of Santa Claus”: A new animated special about Mr. and Mrs. Claus featuring the voices of Edward Asner, Betty White and Tim Curry. Wednesday. 8 p.m. CBS.

“Rugrats Chanukkah Special”: The Rugrats learn about the meaning of the Jewish Festival of Lights. Wednesday. 8 p.m. Nickelodeon.

“Frosty the Snowman”: The perennial holiday favorite is back again. Jimmy Durante narrates. Dec. 6. 8 p.m. CBS.

“Frosty Returns”: A new snow removal spray threatens Frosty’s existence and a town’s annual winter carnival. John Goodman is the voice of Frosty. Dec. 6. 8:30 p.m. CBS.

“Winnie the Pooh, and Christmas Too”: A Christmas story with Pooh bear and friends. Thursday. 8 p.m. CBS.

“Elmo Saves Christmas”: Elmo finds out what the world would be like if every day were Christmas. Other “Sesame Street” characters like Big Bird join guest stars Maya Angelou, Charles Durning and Harvey Fierstein. Dec. 12. 7:30 p.m. KCET.

“Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas”: The classic about the dastardly deeds of the mean Mr. Grinch. Dec. 14. 4 p.m. TNT.

“An Edith Ann Christmas”: The creation of comedian Lily Tomlin and writer Jane Wagner, 6-year-old Edith Ann faces a crisis when her older sister runs away from home during the holiday season. Dec. 14. 8:30 p.m. ABC.

“Life With Louie: A Christmas Surprise for Mr. Stillman”: An animated Christmas story from the bittersweet childhood memories of comedian Louie Anderson. Dec. 15. 7 p.m. Fox.

“The Tick Loves Santa”: The 400-pound antennaed crime-fighter from the Fox kids’ show “The Tick” goes after a small-time bank robber armed with a Santa suit and the ability to duplicate himself. Dec. 15. 7:30 p.m. Fox.

“A Charlie Brown Christmas”: The Peanuts gang returns in this longtime holiday favorite. Dec. 19. 8 p.m. CBS.

Movies

“Christmas Every Day”: A comedy about a self-absorbed young boy who learns to care about others during the Christmas season. Sunday. 7 p.m. Family Channel.

“Mrs. Santa Claus”: Angela Lansbury stars as Santa’s better half in this new holiday musical. Dec. 8. 8 p.m. CBS.

“A Different Kind of Christmas”: The story of a long road to reconciliation between a woman and her father, who believes he’s Santa Claus. Shelley Long stars. Dec. 9. 8 p.m. Lifetime.

“Christmas in My Hometown”: A corporate Scrooge comes to a small Nebraska town just before Christmas to downsize the factory that employs most of the community. Melissa Gilbert, Tim Matheson and Travis Tritt star. Dec. 10. 9 p.m. CBS.

“The Munsters’ Scary Little Christmas”: The ghoulish family from the ‘60s television series returns in this new comedy. Dec. 17. 8 p.m. Fox.

“Unlikely Angel”: Dolly Parton plays an angel whose mission is to bring together a family experiencing emotional upheaval during the Christmas holidays. Dec. 17. 9 p.m. CBS.

“It’s a Wonderful Life”: The annual return of one of the most beloved Christmas movies ever made. Dec. 21. 8 p.m. NBC.

“Timepiece”: A prequel to last year’s TV movie, “The Christmas Box,” this film tells the story behind a beautiful old watch that is bequeathed to a woman as a wedding present. Richard Thomas and James Earl Jones star. Dec. 22. 9 p.m. CBS. (“The Christmas Box,” starring Thomas and Maureen O’Hara, repeats Dec. 25 on CBS.)

“The Christmas Tree”: A driven young man (Andrew McCarthy) searches for the perfect Christmas tree for New York’s Rockefeller Center. Dec. 22. 9 p.m. ABC.

“A Holiday to Remember”: Connie Sellecca, Randy Travis and Rue McClanahan star in this rebroadcast of a romantic movie about a recently divorced mother who returns to her childhood town and rediscovers first love. Dec. 24. CBS.

Music

“Vanessa Williams & Friends: Christmas in New York”: Phil Collins, Shania Twain, Babyface and the Boys Choir of Harlem represent some of the diverse musical acts that will appear on singer Vanessa Williams’ yuletide special. Sunday. 8 p.m. ABC.

“Kenny Rogers: The Gift”: The veteran country singer presents his latest holiday album in a special that also features Wynonna and Christian groups Glad and the Katinas. Wednesday. 9 p.m. Family Channel.

“Sandi Patty: O Holy Night!”: Patty sings her favorite Christmas tunes as well as material from her latest Christmas album. Dec. 9. 8 p.m. Family Channel.

“Opryland’s Country Christmas”: Clint Black, Wynonna, Kenny Rogers and Patty Loveless are among the country music stars appearing in this special. Dec. 14. 9 p.m. CBS.

Specials

“Hollywood Christmas Parade”: Bob Eubanks and Leeza Gibbons co-host the annual telecast of this 65-year holiday tradition. Sunday. 6 p.m. KTLA.

“Biography: Mary of Nazareth: A Mother’s Life”: A documentary exploring the life of the Blessed Virgin. Dec. 23. 9 p.m. A&E.;

“Christmas in Washington”: Celebrities, dignitaries and national leaders, including the president and first lady, will gather to celebrate the season in song. Dec. 18. 10 p.m. NBC.

“Christmas Miracles”: Celebrities fulfill the wishes of children and their families from specially selected letters that were written to Santa and found in the “dead letter” bin at the post office. Dec. 22. 8 p.m. ABC.

“Kathie Lee: Just in Time for Christmas”: A yuletide celebration with Kathie Lee Gifford, her husband Frank and their children Cody and Cassidy. Special guests include Amy Grant, the Manhattan Transfer, Bryan White and the Oklahoma City Philharmonic Orchestra. Dec. 11. 9 p.m. CBS.

“Martha Stewart’s 1996 Holiday Special: Welcome Home for the Holidays”: Michael Jordan, Miss Piggy and Dennis Franz join Stewart as she shares her ideas on everything from selecting a Christmas tree to preparing the perfect holiday party. Dec. 10. 8 p.m. CBS.

“Nick at Nite’s All-Nite Christmas Party”: Classic Christmas episodes from Nick at Nite’s stable of vintage sitcoms will make up this TV marathon. Among the shows featured will be “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “The Odd Couple” and “Taxi.” Dec. 15, 9 p.m.-5:30 a.m. Dec. 25, 8:30 p.m.-5:30 a.m. Nickelodeon.