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After streaming services and rival networks launched their own holiday programming \u2014 and seasonal rom-coms \u2014 many actors and actresses have signed deals with Great American Family or Netflix,<\/a> but several Hallmark Channel staples told Us<\/em> that have no plans to find Christmas spirit elsewhere.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think anybody does Christmas the way Hallmark does. There\u2019s a magic to it, No 1. Also, you know, they were the very first ones that got put me in a Christmas movie. And they\u2019ve been so good to me,\u201d Nikki DeLoach<\/strong><\/a> exclusively told Us Weekly<\/em> at the network\u2019s Countdown to Christmas event in New York City in October 2022.<\/a> \u201cSo for me, it\u2019s like, \u2018Why would I go anywhere else?\u2019 These people are my family \u2014 all the actors, our executives, our creative executives are my friends. And, you know, there\u2019s something about the Hallmark audience I will say that is unlike any other audience.\u201d<\/p>\n Jonathan Bennett,<\/strong><\/a> who stars in 2022\u2019s The Holiday Sitter<\/em> as one-half of the network\u2019s first leading gay couple in a Christmas movie, gushed about the support he\u2019s received.<\/p>\n \u201cGetting to executive produce The Holiday Sitter<\/em> and tell the story was a dream come true,\u201d the actor said at the time. \u201cWhat\u2019s so special about Hallmark Channel is the fact that their stories lead with love and family and that\u2019s what The Holiday Sitter<\/em> is and they were so supportive of this journey from the moment I had the idea to bring it to fruition. They supported the journey wholeheartedly and wanted to make sure that we told the story in the best way we could.\u201d<\/p>\n Bennett noted that his 2022 film gives \u201ceveryone everything they want. \u2026 Yes, [it\u2019s] an LGBTQ+-led movie, but it\u2019s not for just LGBTQ+ people. The Holiday Sitter<\/em> is a movie for everyone just like Hallmark Channel is for everyone. And Christmas is for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n Hallmark Channel\u2019s efforts to diversify the network come after former CEO Bill Abbott<\/a><\/strong> came under fire for pulling an ad that featured a same-sex couple. Shortly after the network put the ad back on the air, Abbott\u2019s exit was announced. He later took over GAC Media \u2014 and brought stars including Candace Cameron Bure<\/strong> <\/a>and Danica McKellar<\/strong><\/a> with him.<\/p>\n After Cameron Bure signed an exclusive deal with Great American Family in spring 2022, the channel launched its Christmas programming around the Full House<\/em> alum. That November, she faced backlash for comments when speaking about her decision to leave Hallmark.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cIt basically is a completely different network than when I started because of the change of leadership,\u201d Cameron Bure told WSJ. Magazine<\/em>. \u201cMy heart wants to tell stories that have more meaning and purpose and depth behind them. I knew that the people behind Great American Family were Christians that love the Lord and wanted to promote faith programming and good family entertainment.\u201d<\/p>\n When asked whether the new network will feature any LGBTQ+ stories,<\/a> the former child star said: \u201cI think that Great American Family will keep traditional marriage at the core.\u201d<\/p>\n Abbott doubled down on her remarks, adding: \u201cIt\u2019s certainly the year 2022, so we\u2019re aware of the trends. There\u2019s no whiteboard that says, \u2018Yes, this\u2019 or \u2018No, we\u2019ll never go here.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n