ATI Produces Hollywood Parade for National Broadcast, Syndication

Special also to air on KTLA, Hallmark and American Forces Network

By Paige Albiniak -- Broadcasting & Cable, 12/3/2012 2:53:05 PM

Associated Television International is once again producing The 2012 Hollywood Christmas Parade Benefiting Marine Toys for Tots. The special, which was shot on Sunday, Nov. 25, will air on Tribune's KTLA on Friday, Dec. 14, at 8 p.m., as well as in national broadcast syndication in nearly 90% of the country, on the Hallmark Channel and the Hallmark Movie Channel, and internationally on the American Forces Network.

Two years ago when the parade aired on KTLA, it won its Friday night time-slot. ATI is talking to broadcast networks about airing the holiday special in 2013.

An estimated one million people attended this year's parade in Hollywood on Nov. 25. Criminal Minds' Joe Mantegna served as the parade's Grand Marshal and Erik Estrada and Laura McKenzie were the broadcast hosts.

The parade featured 200 film, television and stage stars, including Maria Canals-Barrera, Lou Ferrigno, Thomas Gibson, Lou Gossett, Jr., Jerry Mathers, Natasha Henstridge, Susan Sullivan, George Takei and Uggie the Dog, along with cast members from TV shows such as Baby Daddy; Big Time Rush; General Hospital; Glee; Judge Alex; Murder, She Wrote; The Bold and the Beautiful; The First Family; The Neighbors; and The Young and The Restless.

Performers included Cirque du Soleil, Jabbawockeez, magician Joel Ward and singers Drake Bell, Human Nature, Kimberley Locke, The McClain Sisters, The Pentatonix, Devon Werkheiser and Ace Young and Diana DeGarmo. Dean Cain served as host of the music portion of the special.

Other parade participants included 21 award-winning bands, including 14 from the state of California and seven from out of state; eight equestrian units; six floats; 14 balloons and 52 specialty characters/novelties.