The holiday season is here and despite the pressures that go with broadcasting and Fourth Quarter…I love it. I’m all in. I love every single thing about the holidays, except the crash when they are over.
The holidays are about multitasking, so I organize. First task: I find the radio station playing Christmas hits and upgrade it to my presets for two months. Then, I plot out a schedule for viewing the classics, some of which I like to watch with the nation on a national feed, some of which I have squirreled away in my library. Charlie Brown, Rudolph, and The Grinch are an experience I like to share with the nation. “A Christmas Story,” “Home Alone,” “Christmas Vacation,” and yes, beyond a shadow of doubt, “Die Hard” are family viewing traditions (no exceptions, even for my daughter). These are strictly scheduled within 72 hours of Christmas morning. Ralphie, Yukon Cornelius and Linus…I can’t wait to welcome you back to my living room. Yippie Ki Yay and Merry Christmas!
I’ve got some trivia for you. “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” is widely credited for starting the craze of holiday specials in 1964 on NBC’s “General Electric Fantasy Hour.” It was supposed to be a two-year run. Thank you, Rankin/Bass, as all of our kids are still watching it today. In 1965, Coke sponsored “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” According to the internet, it had a budget of $76,000. CBS thought it was odd and would fail, but as we all know, it became a classic. These successes opened the door for “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” the following year. The rest is history.
Over the years I’ve added some (sorta) recent additions that fall into the alternative category. Purists forgive me, but I really like “Violent Night,” “Fatman,” and “The Night Before.” How about the holiday specials attached to classic and current television series? Do you have a favorite? The Simpsons, Family Guy, SNL, Friends, South Park and of course, who can forget “Festivus for the rest of us” from Seinfeld. First broadcast on Dec. 18, 1997, this (invented) non-commercial secular holiday was thrust into the limelight by Cosmo Kramer and Frank Costanza. People today still air their grievances and compete in feats of strength on Dec. 23…all because of a TV show that aired originally almost 30 years ago.
Radio stations will rally around the first snowflake by launching their holiday music marathons. Local TV stations scramble to cover the downtown holiday lights and decorate their news sets. All of it rolled into a big electronic Christmas snow globe called broadcast media. From the classics to the currents, broadcast media has been bringing the holidays home to Americans for decades. Thank you, broadcasters!
Keep plugging away at your 2025 goals and keep an eye on 2026 because it’s right around the corner. But in the meantime, find that radio station and soak up those holiday hits. Gather the family around the flat screen for a Christmas favorite. Enjoy your holidays with family and friends. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas from your WBA.
Judson Beck
WBA Board Chair
