Great American Media Partners with Bestselling Author Melissa Ferguson to Adapt Meet Me in the Margins and Upcoming Novel, The Christmas Yes List into New Original Movies for 2026
NEW YORK, NY – February 10, 2026 – Great American Media announced today a new creative partnership with bestselling author, Melissa Ferguson to adapt her popular novel, Meet Me in the Margins, and a brand-new novel to be released closer to the holidays, The Christmas Yes List, into the company’s newest Original Movies for 2026. Meet Me in the Margins, starring Merritt Patterson and Liam McIntyre is currently in production.
Known for her heartfelt storytelling, faith-forward themes, and charming romantic comedies, Ferguson has become a favorite among readers of Christian romance and romantic comedy novels. Both adaptations will be developed for Great American Pure Flix, Great American Family, and GFAM+, enriching the company’s robust content library with even more uplifting Original stories grounded in faith, family, and meaningful connections.
“Melissa Ferguson is a gifted storyteller whose novels beautifully capture hope, resilience, and the power of love,” said Bill Abbott, President & CEO, Great American Media. “These stories with their signature blend of humor and faith are exactly what Great American Media is all about. We couldn’t be more excited to bring Melissa’s works to life as Great American Original Movies,” Abbott concluded.
Meet Me in the Margins follows an aspiring author whose secret manuscript sparks an unexpected romance in the publishing world, while The Christmas Yes List is a glittering holiday rom-com about a people-pleaser collecting ten rejections by Christmas and a by-the-book workaholic saying yes to everything—until their opposite life experiments collide in hilarious festive chaos and unexpected love.
“I am beyond grateful and excited to partner with Great American Media,” said Melissa Ferguson. “Their dedication to uplifting, family-friendly storytelling aligns so closely with my heart and faith. Seeing these stories come to life on screen is a dream come true that I cannot wait to share with my readers,” Ferguson concluded.
The new films will join Great American Christmas 2026 expanding slate of Original holiday films. The partnerships underscore Great American Media’s continued investment in premium literary adaptations and its mission to provide audiences with entertainment that reflects timeless values, celebrates community, and brings families together.
ABOUT GREAT AMERICAN MEDIA
Great American Media is the leader in faith and family entertainment, and one of the fastest-growing entertainment networks on television. Great American Media is home to a portfolio of entertainment brands that celebrate faith, family, and country, including Great American Family, the flagship linear network featuring original Christmas movies, rom-coms, and beloved series; Great American Pure Flix, the leading faith and family streaming service; Great American Faith & Living, the unscripted companion network; and GFam+, an app that lets viewers watch anytime, anywhere. Great America Media, established in June 2021 by Bill Abbott and a group of US-based family offices, is available via cable, streaming on Pure Flix and YouTube TV, and on the GFam+ app.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Pam Slay
Head of Network Program Publicity & Talent Relations
818.415.3784
GREAT AMERICAN FAMILY ANNOUNCES THE NETWORK’S
‘GREAT AMERICAN CHRISTMAS IN JULY’ BEGINS JUNE 28
FIRST 29 FILMS INCLUDING VIEWERS’ CHOICE REVEALED
NEW YORK, NY – June 26, 2024 – Great American Family, an industry leader in the production of quality original holiday content, announced an early launch to the network’s highly-popular, holiday program event, “Great American Christmas in July,” Friday, June 28 (8 p.m. ET). Great American Family announced the first 29 films in the Christmas event including the Saturday, June 29 JINGLE BELL BRACKET winners selected by the network’s viewers (top four bracket winners denoted with * below). Temps outside are soaring. Great American Christmas in July beats the heat.
FRIDAY, JUNE 28
Destined at Christmas (8 p.m. ET)
A Brush With Christmas (10 p.m. ET)
A Kindhearted Christmas (12 a.m. ET)
The Jinglebell Jubilee (2 a.m. ET)
The Art of Christmas (4 a.m. ET)
SATURDAY, JUNE 29
Aisle Be Home for Christmas (6 a.m. ET)
A Hot Cocoa Christmas (8 a.m. ET)
A Royal Christmas Holiday (10 a.m. ET)
Christmas on Windmill Way (12 p.m. ET)
Bringing Christmas Home (2 p.m. ET)
My Christmas Hero (4 p.m. ET)*
Jingle Bell Princess (6 p.m. ET)*
Catering Christmas (8 p.m. ET)*
‘Twas the Text Before Christmas (10 p.m. ET)*
My Favorite Christmas Tree (12 a.m. ET)
Christmas on Candy Cane Lane (2 a.m. ET)
A Lot Like Christmas (4 a.m. ET)
SUNDAY, JUNE 30
Christmas on Maple Hills (6 a.m. ET)
A Dash of Christmas (8 a.m. ET)
Destined 2: Christmas Once More (10 a.m. ET)
A Merry Christmas Wish (12 p.m. ET)
Journey to Christmas (2 p.m. ET)
A Christmas…Present (4 p.m. ET)
Christmas at the Drive-In (6 p.m. ET)
Peppermint and Postcards (8 p.m. ET)
A Christmas Blessing (10 p.m. ET)
A Christmas Miracle for Daisy (12 a.m. ET)
Our Christmas Wedding (2 a.m. ET)
Christmas on the Coast (4 a.m. ET)
Week one of Great American Christmas in July exclusively on Great American Family begins this Friday night at 8 p.m.
ABOUT GREAT AMERICAN FAMILY
Great American Family is America’s premiere destination for quality family-friendly programming, including original holiday movies, rom-coms and fan-favorite series that celebrate faith, family and country. Great American Family is home to year-round seasonal celebrations including Great American Christmas, the network’s signature franchise featuring holiday themed movies and specials. Founded in 2021, Great American Family is part of the Great American Media portfolio of brands.
Follow Great American Family on
Twitter: @GAfamilyTV Facebook: @GreatAmericanFamilyTV Instagram: @greatamericanfamily
MEDIA CONTACT:
Pam Slay
Network Program Publicity & Talent Relations
818.415.3784
Photo: Courtesy of Great American Media 2023
Cutline: Great American Family announced an early launch of the network’s beloved holiday original movie event, Great American Christmas in July, Friday, June 28 (8 p.m. ET). The event includes the four movies voted as viewers favorites from the annual JINGLE BELL BRACKET and well as an unforgettable July 4th family movie day with Christmas films saluting America’s military men and women. For inspiring, faith-filled family holiday programming, it is Great American Christmas in July on Great American Family.
[Pictured: Jill Wagner and Paul Greene star in Bringing Christmas Home]
MERRITT PATTERSON AND CHRISTOPHER RUSSELL STAR IN ORIGINAL MOVIE,
A VINTAGE CHRISTMAS,
PART OF GREAT AMERICAN CHRISTMAS 2024
NEW YORK, NY – June 12, 2024 – Great American Family, an industry leader in producing quality family and faith-filled holiday films, announced fan favorites, Merritt Patterson (Jingle Bell Princess, ‘Twas the Text Before Christmas) and Christopher Russell (Peppermint and Postcards, A Dash of Christmas), star in the Original holiday movie, A Vintage Christmas, part of Great American Christmas 2024.
In A Vintage Christmas, Tessa (Patterson) is a dedicated historian and preservationist in her hometown of Oak Creek, an old-fashioned and passionate protector of the nostalgic. Sparks fly when a business developer, Noah (Russell) arrives in Oak Creek with plans to tear down an abandoned Post Office and replace it with a sleek, modern office complex. There are internal and external struggles among many in the community to arrive at a solution that serves the greater good for all concerned. As the clock ticks toward Christmas, the race to settle the dispute through concessions and compromise is on.
“This Christmas season, Great American Family is once again assembling the most high-profile talent that is sure to delight viewers.” said Bill Abbott, President & CEO, Great American Media. “Familiar faces like Merritt Patterson and Christopher Russell, are a big reason Great American Christmas has become so popular, so fast,” Abbott concluded.
ABOUT GREAT AMERICAN FAMILY
Great American Family is America’s premiere destination for quality family-friendly programming, including original holiday movies, rom-coms and fan-favorite series that celebrate faith, family and country. Great American Family is home to year-round seasonal celebrations including Great American Christmas, the network’s signature franchise featuring holiday themed movies and specials. Founded in 2021, Great American Family is part of the Great American Media portfolio of brands.
Follow Great American Family on
Twitter: @GAfamilyTV Facebook: @Great American Family Instagram: @greatamericanfamily
Photo: Courtesy of Great American Media 2024
MEDIA CONTACT:
Pam Slay
Network Program Publicity & Talent Relations
818.415.3784
‘GREAT AMERICAN CHRISTMAS’ RETURNS IN OCTOBER,
EXPANDING TO 21 ALL-NEW ORIGINAL HOLIDAY MOVIES
TREVOR DONOVAN AND MERRITT PATTERSON REUNITE TO STAR IN
‘TWAS THE TEXT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
NEW YORK, NY – March 15, 2023 – Great American Family, TV’s fastest growing network in Fourth Quarter 2022, announced today the network’s highly regarded program event, Great American Christmas returns in October with 21 all-new original movies. The expanded slate marks the popular holiday franchise’s largest Christmas movie offering to date. Coming to Great American Christmas this year, Trevor Donovan (“90210,” “Dancing With the Stars”) and Merritt Patterson (“The Royals,” Catering Christmas) reunite to star in the new holiday original, ‘Twas the Text Before Christmas. Donovan and Patterson previously starred in Jingle Bell Princess with the duo becoming instant fan favorites in the new holiday classic. Great American Christmas original movies will premiere Saturdays and Sundays, with 24/7 holiday movies through the end of the year.
In ‘Twas the Text Before Christmas, Addie (Patterson), a New York City chiropractor mistakenly receives a text from “Nana.” The accidental text turns into a loving friendship between the matronly Nana and Addie who now communicate regularly. Nana invites Addie to spend the holiday in Vermont. It is picture-postcard perfect and exactly as Nana described except for one surprise. Nana’s single son, James (Donovan), a traveling doctor is also home for the holidays. Over three consecutive years, James and Addie are together during the holidays, though it isn’t until they are both single that they begin to see each other in a different light.
Executive producers of ‘Twas the Text Before Christmas are Brad Krevoy and Susie Belzberg Krevoy. David Anselmo produces for HP Christmas Chance Productions Inc. ‘Twas the Text Before Christmas is written by Cara J. Russell.
Photo: Courtesy of Trevor Donovan; Merritt Patterson Photo Credit: Collin Stark
ABOUT GREAT AMERICAN FAMILY
Great American Family is America’s premiere destination for quality family-friendly programming, including original holiday movies, rom-coms and fan-favorite series that celebrate faith, family and country. Great American Family is home to year-round seasonal celebrations including Great American Christmas, the network’s signature franchise featuring holiday themed movies and specials. Founded in 2021, Great American Family is part of the Great American Media portfolio of brands. Follow Great American Family on Twitter: @GAfamilyTV Facebook: @GAfamilytv Instagram: @gactv
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Pam Slay
Network Program Publicity
818.415.3784
