WGN Radio studios a location in Chicago-made ‘Christmas on the Ranch’

The family-friendly holiday romance movie Christmas on the Ranch will premiere exclusively on Hulu November 1, 2024. The heartwarming film follows a talk show relationship expert with her own romantic hang-ups who gets stranded at a ranch before Christmas, and the charming rancher who reminds her that love is always worth the risk. Watch the trailer here.

WGN Radio was among the locations for principal photography in the Chicago-made movie. Our Skyline Studios, green room, and office space all feature in the movie. Even some WGN Radio staff appear as extras in the film, including our news director Ryan Burrow and chief engineer Bill Murdoch, among others.

Several places in the northwest suburbs also feature in the film including Country Ridge Stables in Mundelein, Zia West in Hawthorn Woods, Chatterbox of Long Grove, the Sock Monkey Museum and Robert Parker Coffin Bridge in Historic Downtown Long Grove, Dakota K Auto Repair & Tire Center in Arlington Heights and Bende in Vernon Hills.

Christmas on the Ranch stars Daytime Emmy Award-winning actress Jade Harlow (Amazon’s The Bay ) and Houston Rhines ( A Christmas Switch ) and an ensemble of Chicago actors including Saige Chaseley ( Christmas with Felicity ), Malkia Stampley (AMC’s 61st Street ), and Amy Sloan (Apple TV’s Truth Be Told ). The film was directed by acclaimed filmmaker Danny Buday, whose credits include Second Chance Christmas (2017) for UPtv, Country Christmas Album (2018) for ION Television, and several features for Lifetime.

The movie is the third collaboration between Chicago-based production Very Merry Entertainment and Nicely Entertainment and the second exclusive premiere with Hulu following the release of Reporting for Christmas , which premiered as a Top 10 new release in 2023.

Christmas on the Ranch can be streamed exclusively on Hulu beginning November 1, 2024, and will be available on additional platforms in 2025.

Here’s a peek at Christmas on the Ranch , including a few of the scenes that filmed at WGN Radio. All production stills were provided by Very Merry Entertainment and Nicely Entertainment:

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