Great American Family, the cable network run by former Hallmark CEO Bill Abbott, has experienced tremendous growth this year, thanks in part to its talented roster of recognizable stars and their relentless promotion of the network. Abbott attributes much of their success to the awareness created by these stars, particularly Candace Cameron Bure, who has made a significant impact through her popularity and social media presence.

However, with popularity comes criticism, and the network faced backlash after Bure stated that Great American Family would not feature same-sex couples but would instead focus on "traditional marriage." Despite the controversy surrounding Bure's comments, Abbott stands by her and supports her role as the Chief Content Officer, lauding her exceptional judgment and dedication to the network.

As the holiday season approaches, Great American Family is leaning into the festive spirit by launching Great American Christmas a week ahead of schedule. Abbott explains that this decision was driven by viewer feedback, with audiences expressing a strong desire for more Christmas content. Additionally, the current state of the world, filled with darkness and discouragement, made it even more important for the network to spread positivity and joy during this time.

The network's growth can also be attributed to its commitment to family-friendly content and consistency in scheduling. Abbott highlights that Great American Family is an advertiser-supported model, generating revenue through linear premieres before moving into streaming. This strategy sets them apart from other channels that focus primarily on streaming. The availability of recognizable talent and their unwavering promotion of the network have further contributed to their success.

While the network has seen significant progress on the linear side, Abbott acknowledges that there are still challenges in terms of creating awareness and attracting viewers in the ever-changing landscape of television. Streaming remains a major hurdle for the industry as a whole.

Regarding diversity and inclusivity, Great American Family recognizes the need for improvement. While the current holiday lineup includes a single movie with Black leads, Abbott assures that the network is actively addressing this challenge and working towards a more inclusive future. Efforts are being made to produce content that reflects a variety of perspectives and experiences.

As for the future, Great American Family aims to continue growing its audience and expanding its content. Abbott emphasizes the importance of consistency while staying true to the network's message and values. He believes that as they evolve, more opportunities for diversity and inclusivity will arise, making Great American Family a more representative platform.

In conclusion, Great American Family has experienced remarkable growth, thanks to its talented roster of stars and the relentless promotion of their network. Despite recent controversy surrounding Bure's comments, Abbott stands by her, emphasizing her exceptional contributions as Chief Content Officer. The network recognizes the importance of diversifying its content and aims to make significant changes in the coming years. With their focus on family-friendly programming and commitment to quality, Great American Family continues to make a mark in the television industry.