Hallmark Channel’s annual "Countdown to Christmas" programming gambit continues to bring joy to the network's executives and Nielsen viewers, as the debuts of a pair of original holiday telefilms performed very well for the family-friendly service last week.

The Nov. 15 premiere of Northpole, which was produced in conjunction with Hallmark Cards, averaged a 3.5 household rating and 4 million viewers, according to Nielsen data, to rank as the top program on cable last Saturday. Moreover, Northpole shined as Hallmark Channel's most-watched and highest-rated movie to date in 2014 among households and viewers, plus adults and women 25 to 54.

The following night, Angels and Ornaments averaged a 3.0 rating and 3.3 million viewers. The movie was the No.-2 rated and most-watched cable program in its time period among households and total viewers, according to Nielsen data.

Over the first two weeks of Countdown to Christmas, Hallmark Channel has tallied 33.1 million total viewers, and recorded 7% growth among women 25 to 54 and 4% against adults of that age, compared to the same period last year.

Since their kickoffs, Hallmark Channel’s Countdown to Christmas and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries’ "The Most Wonderful Movies of Christmas" have reached over 38.9 million viewers.