Ocean Spray special features Manilow music

LAKEVILLE-MIDDLEBORO, Mass., Nov. 10 (UPI) -- Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc. says its first U.S. holiday TV special, "Cranberry Christmas," featuring songs by Barry Manilow, will air next month on ABC Family.

The animated special is based on the 1976 children's book of the same title, written and illustrated by Wende and Harry Devlin. The "Cranberry Christmas" cartoon is slated to air Dec. 8 on ABC Family as part of the network's annual "25 Days of Christmas" programming.

Ocean Spray said it has created the show as a gift to consumers, so it will air commercial-free.

The special features two new original songs performed by famed singer-songwriter Barry Manilow, who co-wrote the holiday tunes with his longtime collaborator Bruce Sussman.

"Cranberries have become as much a part of holiday traditions as ice skating and decorating the tree," Ken Romanzi, chief operating officer of Ocean Spray, said in a statement. "We have taken a story that is near and dear to Ocean Spray's heart and brought it to life to share with other families, and we hope that 'Cranberry Christmas' will take its place as a perennial holiday favorite."

"We were moved by this lovely children's story because it celebrates the importance of community as well as the simple pleasures of the holiday season," Manilow said. "The songs we wrote for this television special reflect the themes of the story, which we hope will help viewers step back from the holiday hustle and bustle and get in touch with the true spirit of the season."