Given the viewing habits of a high school student who visits us occasionally I suspect that cartoon specials may in fact appeal to older audiences. And if they're old they may have a nostalgia factor for adults as well. I see your point, but I'm not sure that ABC Family is responsible for figuring out what everybody's bedtime is (in each time zone -- I suspect Chicago six-year-olds are routinely up for later programming than are New York six-year-olds) and stopping programming aimed at people whose bedtimes are past.

And am I correct that you're talking about the basic cable channel and not the broadcast channel? It's pretty normal for things to be repeated on basic cable even as repeats become less and less common on broadcast. I'd actually think that would be a blessing to you, because at bedtime you can say, "We'll try to see it next time it's on."

I guess my point is that I don't think ABC Family is making bad choices here, given their desire to make as much money as possible, and that despite the channel's name that doesn't necessarily mean presenting the things that work best for families such as yours. Or for that matter families who aren't celebrating Christmas (in either the religious or secular versions) at all this year, but rather some other holiday.

Of course, you're the sort of person they're marketing to, so I think it will be valuable to them for you to give them your feedback, but unless you can organize a significant chunk of the audience or get a lot of media attention I don't think they're going to change things.

I hope that the two of you have a great time watching The Polar Express. I haven't seen it so far, but I know it's a hit with a lot of my neighbors.