“The festive season is the perfect time for family viewing programming created for every member of the family to relax, put up their feet and enjoy watching,” says Cecil Sunkwa Mills, General Manager, Multichoice Ghana.

“Parents might say the holidays are all about the kids - and keeping them happy and entertained is DStv’s top priority - but we’re not forgetting about the movie buffs, the foodies, the music lovers, the series and the reality fans. There’s something for everyone. Special holiday channel, Animania festival on M-Net Movies Smile is back as a special treat for our viewers, and brand new pop-up channel M-Net Inspire will bring the festive magic to every DStv home this season,” says Cecil Sunkwa Mills.

For the kids

Kiddies are spoilt for choice this season with Nickelodeon’s gift to audiences this holiday season is the premiere of Albert For The Holidays on Sunday, 25 December at 9:10am. This original animated TV movie is the heartwarming tale of a tiny Douglas fir tree that goes on a journey to become the city’s most famous Christmas tree ever.

Cbeebies will feature the Go Jetters Christmas Special - a special festive edition of the colourful animation series - on Saturday, 24 December at 4:00pm; and on Cartoon Network it’s all Christmas love and holiday cheer, as the channel airs its most memorable and iconic shows on Sunday, 25 December from 9:50am, including Adventure Time, The Amazing World of Gumball, The Regular Show, We Bare Bears, Ben 10 and The Powerpuff Girls.

Just before 2016 disappears over the horizon, Disney Junior brings the classic movie, Peter Pan to screens on Saturday, 31 December at 4:30pm.

Music for the whole family

“The music never stops on DStv, and this season DStv customers can have their very own un-interrupted holiday playlist with music to cater for every appetite,” continues Cecil Sunkwa Mills.

Throughout December 2016 and January 2017, M-Net will also treat viewers to a fun-filled music series showcasing chart-topping musicians and their famous muso friends. The M-Net and Friends shows will be screened exclusively on M-Net  at 3:30pm on the following dates: Sunday, 25 December: Swing City and Friends; and on Sunday, 1 January: Kahn and The Parlotones and Friends.

For the foodies

As usual, DStv also has a special treat for food lovers this festive season. BET will be airing a festive episode of Africa on A Plate on Saturday, 24 December at 3:40pm. Chef Lentswe Bhengu introduces us to a holiday feast, including a festive turkey dish made his own special way.

For movie lovers

     Movie fans will be thoroughly delighted with the variety of movies on offer. The countdown to Christmas continues as Universal Channel brings you a daily selection of festive films - Monday to Friday at 1:30pm until Friday, 23 December, including Holiday Road Trip (1 December), Christmas Parade (5 December), and Operation Christmas (16 December).

The gloves come off in the festive comedy movie, Love The Coopers on Sunday, 25 December at 6:05pm on M-Net. When a dysfunctional family come together for Christmas, everything else seems to fall apart.

Animania is back! Tune in until Tuesday, 10 January 2017, as M-Net Movies Smile brings you a fantastic line-up of animated greats that will charm children and amuse adults alike.

For lovers of general entertainment

On Christmas Day, Sony Max will screen special festive episodes of Fear Factor “Christmas Fear Factor” at 6:00pm, a Baywatch double bill entitled Silent Night Baywatch Night Parts 1 & 2 from 7:00pm, and Tattoo Nightmares - Merry Inkmas at 9:00pm.

Fans of British television will love ITV Choice’s festive highlights including Paul O’Grady for the Love of Dogs at Christmas (23 December at 6:00pm); Surprise Surprise Xmas (24 December at 5pm); Grantchester Christmas Special (24 December at 6:pm); A Merry Murdock Christmas (25 December at 6pm); Benidorm Xmas Special (26 December at 7pm) and Paul O’Grady Favourite Fairytales on 30 December at 6pm.

Catch 12 K’s of Christmas all day from 19 to 30 December on E! Entertainment Television. Watch as E! goes right back to the start of Keeping Up With The Kardashians: from Kim’s two weddings to Kourtney’s three children and Caitlyn’s transition, follow the family through the ups and downs (and fashion choices) of all 12 seasons of the hit show.

The hip shaking, Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, Hairspray makes a colourful live debut on the small-screen on Thursday, 22 December at 5:30pm on M-Net, re-telling the tale of a fun-loving plus-sized teen in Baltimore, during a time of change in the '60s.                                      

On Friday, 23 December 2016 at 5:30pm, M-Net will screen The Great Christmas Light Fight – a fun-loving series that sees four families compete to have the most elaborate and spectacular Christmas displays for a cash prize.  

And as 2016 comes to a close, catch the industry’s annual fundraising event, The 2016 Royal Variety Performance, featuring legendary performers from around the globe, on Saturday, 31 December at 6:35pm on M-Net.