Classic Media, a global media company with a portfolio of some of the world’s leading family entertainment brands, today announced that the classic holiday television special featuring the voice talents of Fred Astaire and Mickey Rooney, Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town, that airs on ABC and ABC Family television every holiday season, will celebrate its 40th Anniversary.
Press Release from Classic Media
NEW YORK, NY (November 15, 2010)—Classic Media, a global media company with a portfolio of some of the world’s leading family entertainment brands, today announced that the classic holiday television special featuring the voice talents of Fred Astaire and Mickey Rooney, Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town, that airs on ABC and ABC Family television every holiday season, will celebrate its 40th Anniversary. Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town tells the story of how Kris Kringle became Santa Claus and how many favorite Christmas traditions came to be, including why children write letters to Santa, why we hang Christmas stockings, and why Santa keeps a list and wears a red suit. Since its debut in 1970, millions of families have watched The Original Christmas Classic together as part of their holiday traditions, making it a top-rated TV special year after year.
To commemorate the 40th Anniversary, Classic Media is releasing the first Blu-ray edition of Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town, as part of the new box set, The Original Christmas Classics Blu-ray edition (SRP $44.99), and on a new DVD single with redesigned packaging (SRP $14.98).
In addition, Gaylord Hotels will present the world’s first Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town-branded live attraction. The world-famous Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, Tennessee, which has been called a “Top-10 place in the world to spend Christmas” (Travel + Leisure®) and “The Most Christmassy Hotel in the Nation” (Travel Channel®), will bring to life The Original Christmas Classic and its characters—Santa Claus, Winter Warlock, Jessica, Topper the penguin and the Burgermeister Meisterburger—in ICE!, its annual, interactive Christmas spectacular of two million pounds of expertly carved and magically lit ice.
Nestle, Kurt S. Adler, American Greetings and Signature Brands have also signed on to present Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town chocolates, holiday ornaments, greeting cards and popcorn tins, respectively. More consumer products will be announced in the upcoming months.
“Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town, with its famous story of how Kris Kringle became Claus, is one of the most popular and longest-running holiday specials of all time,” said Nicole Blake, EVP, Global Marketing & Consumer Products at Classic Media. “We are excited to celebrate the 40th Anniversary and, with our partners, give families and fans new ways to share the magic of this time-honored classic.”
About Classic MediaClassic Media, one of the world’s largest independent entertainment companies, is a leader in reinventing the classics of yesterday and creating the entertainment classics of tomorrow. The Company owns and manages a globally-recognized portfolio of well-known family and pop-culture entertainment brands, including Casper the Friendly Ghost, Where’s Waldo?, Lassie, Gold Key Comics, The Lone Ranger, and new global brands Tinga Tinga Tales and Guess with Jess. Big Idea, a member of the Classic Media family, is the leading faith-based studio and producer of children’s programming, including the best-selling animated series, VeggieTales. More than 3,600 hours of Classic Media programming is distributed in more than 170 territories worldwide and showcased in multiple formats, including TV, film, home video, consumer products, publishing, digital, and music. Visit us at http://www.classicmedia.tv.
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