Stream it or skip it?

The Hallmark Channel continues to offer its festive programming list with Adding a new romantic drama Good news for the season. The film stars Tamera Mowry Housley As a single mother, she looks forward to helping her son achieve his dream of becoming a news anchor, even if she doesn’t follow the news much. Enter the handsome local newscaster (P.J. Britt) who reluctantly takes the young boy under his wing, thus getting closer to the boy’s mother where he hopes to change her mind about the news…and love?

Essence: Adam Kade (BJ Britt) is the face of Minneapolis’ local news station, KCYD, and rarely takes time off for the holidays (even Christmas!) or family, so he can move up the ladder and make a name for himself as a serious broadcaster. But when lively 10-year-old Robbie Sullivan visits KCYD on a school field trip in early December and sneaks onto the live broadcast to put his favorite news anchor in the hot seat about his apparent aversion to happy stories, Adam’s life, career, and priorities begin a complete shift.

Even when he’s just a fifth grader, Robbie is sure he’s destined to become a news anchor. His mother, Lucy (Tamera Mowry Housley), is not a fan of the news because of all the depressing stories on the air, and she turns off the channel every time Adam Cuddy’s face appears on the screen while she is at work. But Lucy loves Ruby and refuses to let her disdain for local news get in the way of her son achieving his dreams. Lucy works hard at a hair salon in Minneapolis and as a single parent, putting her needs and opportunities aside so she can care for the people around her. Although her friend and colleague Skyler (Mariza Cross) encourages Lucy to go back there, she insists she doesn’t have the time or energy.

However, this began to change when Adam found a file Robbie left behind during his field trip, in which KCYD producer Todd (Matthew James Dowden) brought Adam back to Robbie personally, along with the offer of a week’s internship at the station under Adam. Lucy doesn’t know what to think when Adam shows up on her doorstep, but when he hears she’s not into him, he’s determined to show magic and prove her wrong. At the same time, Lucy tries to change Adam’s perspective on journalism and news by reminding him that happy, human stories can have a serious impact and connect with others, especially during the holiday season.

As Adam spends more time with Ruby and Lucy, he begins to see the good that cheerful stories can do, renewing his long-buried childhood love of Christmas in the process. But as Jill (Tyrell Rothery), a former college professor and Adam’s current mentor, helps him apply for a job opening at a Chicago newscast that seems eager to take him on, Adam begins to rethink what really matters to him, and which stories — and people — are truly worth taking seriously this holiday season.

What movies will it remind you of? You may be reminded of other romantic movies involving news anchors and the holiday season, e.g Christmas report, Christmas broadcast, Christmas paradeand Every Christmas has a story.

Performance worth watching: BJ Britt is extremely charming and charismatic as news anchor extraordinaire Adam Cuddy.

Unforgettable dialogue: This dialogue, where Todd tries to convince Adam to take on Ruby as his intern, is one of the most entertaining bits of dialogue in the movie:

“And don’t forget you owe me. I scored you an Eras tour ticket.”

“Well, first of all, it was a big news event, okay, so it was in my professional interest to go. And second of all, I took your twins! I could barely hear Taylor over their screaming.”

Holiday tradition: Lucy and Robbie have a tradition of volunteering with Angel Gifts Charity to help those in need and make a difference in their local community.

Does the title have any meaning? Given the meaning of the word “news,” the film’s celebratory news-focused story finds an apt title Good news for the season.

Take us: One thing I will say about it Good news for the season is that the actors are really trying. Everyone in this film gives the kind, committed, and slightly corny performances you’d hope to see in a Hallmark holiday title, but even their efforts are unfortunately not enough to negate the somewhat disappointing script. The movie isn’t bad, but it’s not great either. It’s just standard Hallmark movie beats, going through the motions without much humor or real charm.

The characters are all a bit two-dimensional, especially Lucy (which is unfortunate because I’m sure a lot of people will tune in just to see Tamera Mowry-Housley in action), who is little more than a plot device for endless self-sacrifice to help the people around her achieve their dreams. The characters are so flat that it’s hard to connect with them or care about their story, which in turn makes the movie a little forgettable and boring at times. I wanted to like this more, however Good news for the season It doesn’t do enough to distinguish itself as an entertaining story worthy of joining your seasonal streaming queue.

Our call: It’s ironic that a film about the power of connection and human stories manages to feel so unengaging as a final product, but alas, here we are. The actors do their best, but their work can’t measure up Good news for the season For must-see holiday movie status. Skip it!

How to watch Good news for the season

The only way to watch the Hallmark Channel live without cable is with… Live TV streaming service. We recommend Directwhich comes with a five-day free trial before you start paying.

DIRECTV offers a number of flexible subscription options, including genre packages, so you can choose the streaming plans that best fit your needs and budget. Plans start at $49.99 per month.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! (At least that’s what Andy Williams promised.) The holidays are a time to celebrate with family, friends, food, and let’s not forget the fun things to see. Whether you’re gathered with the whole family in your living room or cozying up under the covers with your tablet, let Decider be your guide to all things festive this holiday season.

Maddy Casale is a Chicago-based writer and comedian who covers everything from animated series to Hallmark movies. Follow her on Duolingo @MCasale.