New Holiday Channel reaches out for content

Award-winning producer Carey Lundin introduces the new Holiday Channel that will celebrate the myriad of holidays, from the obvious to the obscure, year-round, that’s now seeking produced content from indie filmmakers.

Holiday Channel’s creators — Denver-based Reesa Ryder, founder/CEO and Simone Nelson, CCO a Northwestern communications graduate — have the distinction of being the only women-owners of a network!

Reesa, describe your new media company.

We will be the first company dedicated to holiday-themed content, year-round, that will have broad appeal.

We are doing for holidays what ESPN did for sports, what MTV did for music, what the Food Network did for cooking and what Nickelodeon did for the children.

And the network launches on a holiday.

We will stream content on ROKU, 24/7 on demand, starting Nov. 21, which coincides with National Television Day and National Hello day. The beauty of streaming is that there’s no time restriction.  So content can be as short as two minutes or as long as a feature. 

Reesa Ryder,  Holiday Channel cofounderWhat made you decide to launch a new channel?

I believe television and social media are powerful tools.  When used the right way, they can create a place for people to go to where they feel good and happy, have fun and get inspired, and deepen social connections and optimism.  This is the essence of the Holiday Channel.

Our tagline is: Literally, everyday is a celebration!

Our programming starts with traditional holidays and observances, like Thanksgiving, Native American Indian Heritage Month, Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, New Year’s Eve and Day and grow from there.

What kind of programming are you seeking? Everything! Cooking, decorating and DIY, to content capturing the social and multi-cultural aspects of life, with a focus on moving stories that resonate for the world-wide audience. 

But you want produced content, no proposals.

Right. Feature length and short films, documentaries, webisodes, music videos, art films and any multi-media content that fits the holiday theme of the day. We will consider any quality work.

How are the producers compensated?

We offer them a share in the network’s revenue.

What’s the model of success you’re following?

Holiday Channel is part of the movement that’s revolutionizing TV. Consumers are changing to on demand and over-the-top services. 

As more of the public moves to streaming media, with an estimated global market share of over two billion by 2016, Holiday Channel will be uniquely positioned to take advantage of this market. 

How should producers submit their content?

Send emails with LINKS to films on Vimeo, YouTube, etc. to jill@holidaychannel.net or DVDs to Jill Brooke, Programmer at Holiday Channel, 3311 Mountain View Avenue, Longmont, Colorado  80503.  If selected, Holiday Channel will notify you.  

They may contact me at reesa@holidaychannel.net or 303/949-4900.

Carey Lundin, is a seasoned director of television series, documentaries, web series and commercials for Viva Lundin Productions.