Planet Money

Romance on the screen and on the page: Two Indicators

16 snips
Oct 23, 2024
Dive into the fascinating world of holiday rom-coms and discover how TV executives mastered the art of mass-producing seasonal love stories. Uncover the rise of romance novels from supermarket shelves to mainstream success, thanks to e-books and strategic networking among authors. Explore Hallmark's secret sauce for festive films, and learn how today's romance writers are breaking barriers with diverse narratives and innovative storytelling. It's a captivating intersection of love, business, and creativity!
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ANECDOTE

Not Enough Christmas

  • In the early 2000s, there wasn't much Christmas-themed content on TV.
  • Bill Abbott, then Hallmark Channel CEO, saw an untapped market for G-rated holiday romance.
INSIGHT

Wholesome and Frugal

  • Hallmark's Christmas movies found success by targeting an audience who wanted wholesome holiday romance.
  • Their low-budget approach in the early days, while requiring trade-offs, proved effective.
ANECDOTE

Two Takes Danica

  • Danica McKellar, known for "The Wonder Years", became a Christmas movie regular.
  • She highlights the efficiency of these productions, often needing only two takes.
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