The GAC family followed in Hallmark’s footsteps with Christmas In July Block and even used a former Hallmark star to do so.

In recent months, something of a rivalry has emerged as the new GAC Family channel has recruited high-profile Hallmark talent, including names like Candace Cameron Bure and Danica McKellar. Now the network is also jumping into the Christmas game in July with its first programming block, and the network is pulling another former Hallmark name to introduce it.

Jen Lilley was one of the names to leave the popular cable channel in recent months and has now hosted the big block of programming on the new network. The programming block worked really seriously over the weekend and is similar to what Hallmark usually offers in July, with a slew of holiday fan favorites. It should be noted that GAC Family’s “Great American Christmas in July” block is made up more of “repeats” of their productions and not new films.

One of Lilley’s first GAC family films, royally wrapped for christmas, is also part of the July Christmas programming block. So it’s certainly on a smaller scale than Hallmark offers, but it’s a clear indication that the network is aiming for the same game.

Hallmark, on the other hand, has three new holiday movies for its July lineup, as well as some encore screenings. New movies arriving on this month’s lineup include My adult Christmas list, christmas fireYes Christmas in the land of toys. These will air on Saturdays throughout the month, with my adult christmas list that will start on July 9th.

While some Hallmark stars produce films about GAC Family and Hallmark, others have chosen one network over another. Lacey Chabert has signed an umbrella deal with Hallmark, for example. While it was thought that Candace Cameron Bure could have kept her beloved character Aurora Teagarden in Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, it now appears that she will be staying with GAC Family, with her first project slated for later this year.

As for Jen Lilley, the actress took some heat from leaving Hallmark and starting her tenure in the new network. In January of this year, he defended the movement , noting that she felt the network was “loving” and “different” after one of her followers called it “hateful” and “intolerant”. As for that new Christmas concert, as Lilley will return to host duties this summer, she also said The essential program :

Ultimately, it remains to be seen whether the block will eventually be competitive with what Hallmark has to offer. The latter network has made headlines in recent months for trying to be more forward-thinking with its titles, incorporating stories with more “inclusive” perspectives, as frontman Ryan Paevey recently said, while GAC Family doubled down on more traditional programming. . .

The next step will be the concurrent vacation scheduling blocks. GAC Family has already announced that Christmas will officially begin on Friday 28 October online.