December 2023

Wishing You the Best This Holiday Season The holiday season is a time for family, friends, and connections. As we experience the merriest time of the year, we say 'thank you' for choosing to connect with us. FOCUS Broadband wishes you all a holiday season filled with joy, lasting memories, and many heartfelt connections.

JUST FOR YOU

Our Annual Christmas Giveaway is Happening This Month! Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for plenty of chances to win fantastic prizes during our annual Christmas giveaway December 6th through the 21st. When you follow us, you'll also get up-to-date information about our latest products, programming, and local content all year long. Don't miss out on all the fun! Celebrate the Holidays with FOCUS Broadband Give the Perfect blend of Technology, Security, and Connectivity What better way is there to spread joy than by gifting the latest in technology from FOCUS Broadband. Asking Santa for a new phone? FOCUS Broadband can make your wish come true with savings of up to $650 off a new iPhone 15 or Samsung S23. Capture magical moments with the iPhone 15's advanced camera or enjoy the sleek design and features of the Samsung S23. We have the perfect device for every member of your family. Give the gift of unbeatable connectivity to the gamer in your life with gigabit internet speeds and Premium Wi-Fi. This unbeatable combination will ensure everyone can connect their new tech gadgets seamlessly from any room in the home with speed to spare. But don't let the holiday cheer end there! We know how important it is to safeguard your holiday deliveries from porch pirates. That's why, this December, when you sign up for HomeLink Plus, you'll receive a free video doorbell camera. It's perfect for keeping an eye out for the Grinch and anyone else who may have their eye on your holiday deliveries. Make your holidays unforgettable, call FOCUS Broadband at 888-367-2862 or visit a convenient retail location in Shallotte, Sunset Beach, Leland or Whiteville. Premium Wi-Fi: Residential customers only. Not available with customer owned router. HomePass app required. Wireless: Promotion only available at time of purchase. Requires new line of service with port-in and 30-mo financing or pay in full. Can not be combined with other offers. Not available with all plans and devices. Offer ends 12/24/23. Early termination, credit restrictions, deposits and other taxes & fees may apply. Security: Requires compatible monitoring package, broadband connection, equipment, connected device & Alarm.com app. Doorbell camera offer ends 12/30/23 and is free with purchase of HomeLink Plus package or greater. Other restrictions may apply. See stores for details. Now Accepting Applications for 2024 Community and Education Grants Now through February 29th, FOCUS Broadband is accepting applications for our 2024 Community Connections and Smart Connections Grant programs. Each category will award $40,000 in funds to nonprofits and educators in the counties we serve to benefit residents in our service areas. Community grant funds will be awarded in the Spring, and education grant funds will be awarded in the fall. To download a grant application or for more information on eligibility and exclusions, click here! Navigating Rising Cable Costs in the New Year Cable TV costs increase every January because of rising programming expenses demanded by giant media companies, the requirement to carry low-rated channels, and a flawed Retransmission Consent process which causes cable TV providers to pay higher and higher fees for local channels that are otherwise free over the air. This is an industry-wide problem that affects not only FOCUS Broadband, but every company that provides cable TV service. We want to be honest about the things that impact your monthly bill, and we want you to know that we understand the concerns about rising cable TV costs. To address this, we suggest combining FOCUS Broadband's high-speed internet with streaming services like YouTube TV, Sling TV, Hulu, and other apps or an over-the-air antenna. So that you can make an informed decision on how to get the best value for your entertainment dollar, please visit focusbroadband.com/cutthecord for more information.

ORIGINAL SERIES

Candy Cane Lane PG — Eddie Murphy stars in this holiday comedy adventure about a man on a mission to win his neighborhood's annual Christmas home decoration contest. To help him win, he makes a pact with an elf, who casts a spell that brings the 12 days of Christmas to life. The result? Unexpected chaos comes to town. (Prime Video, December 1st premiere) Your Christmas or Mine 2 PG-13 — Lord Humphrey invites the Taylors to Christmas in a luxury ski resort in the French Alps so they can meet his American girlfriend. But Hayley's dad insists on handling his family's side of the booking and something got lost in translation. The two families end up on different sides of a valley and opposite ends of the TripAdvisor ratings scale. (Prime Video, December 8th premiere) The Shepherd PG — On Christmas Eve, a young Royal Air Force pilot (played by Ben Radcliffe) is flying home across the North Sea and finds himself in peril when his radio and electric power cut out, leaving him stranded and running on limited fuel. Just when it appears his luck is about to run out, a mysterious good Samaritan pilot (played by John Travolta) guides him to safety. (Disney+, December 1st premiere)

FAQ/TUTORIAL

Q. Why did Apple TV+ increase its prices? A. The subscription price for Apple TV+ increased this fall by a whopping 43%, from $6.99 to $9.99 for a monthly subscription and $69 to $99 for a yearly subscription. This was done to increase revenue and make Apple TV+ profitable despite two challenges: The streaming service does not have ad-supported subscription options. The mantra at Apple TV+ has long been "quality over quantity," and it has a smaller library than most of its competitors. By producing high-quality originals and working exclusively with A-list artists, production costs are higher. Apple TV+ is not alone in its decision to increase prices. The streaming world has recently seen price hikes from Netflix, Peacock, Paramount+, Max, Discovery Plus, and others. Q: What will I have to pay to continue enjoying ad-free Prime Video? A. Starting in 2024, the standard Prime Video subscription will include commercials. If you want to maintain your ad-free viewing experience, you'll have to pay another $2.99/month. This means the ad-supported Prime Video will be $8.99/month, while the ad-free version will be $11.99/month. If you're one of the many subscribers who get Prime Video for free with your Amazon Prime subscription, you'll still have to pay the extra $2.99/month to avoid ads.

ORIGINAL FILMS

The Family Plan PG-13 — Dan Morgan (Mark Wahlberg) is a devoted husband, loving father of three, and celebrated car salesman. He's also a former assassin. When enemies from his past track him down, Dan packs his unsuspecting wife and children into their minivan and takes off on an impromptu cross-country road trip to Las Vegas. (Apple TV+, December 15th premiere) Leave the World Behind R — An idyllic family getaway to a luxurious rental home takes an ominous turn when a cyberattack knocks out their devices, and two strangers appear at their door. After everything erupts into chaos, trust unravels fast. Stars include Julia Roberts (who also produced the film), Ethan Hawke, and Kevin Bacon. (Netflix, December 8th premiere) Mr. Monk's Last Case: A Monk Movie TV-PG — Adrian Monk (Tony Shalhoub) is a brilliant detective with obsessive-compulsive disorder. This long-awaited revival film picks up over 15 years after the final episode of the series, with Monk navigating his OCD in a post-COVID world. He returns to solve one last, very personal case involving his beloved stepdaughter Molly, a journalist preparing for her wedding. (Peacock, December 8th premiere)

FRESH FROM THE THEATER

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny PG-13 — Harrison Ford returns to the role of the daredevil archaeologist, Indiana Jones, for this final installment of the iconic franchise. Set in 1969, Indy races against time to retrieve a legendary dial that can change the course of history. Accompanied by his estranged goddaughter, Helena, he soon finds himself squaring off against Jürgen Voller, a former Nazi who works for NASA. (Disney+, December 1st premiere)

POPCORN NIGHT

Binge Watch Every Indiana Jones Movie Since the fifth and final Indiana Jones film, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, premieres this month on Disney+, it's a great time to revisit the entire franchise. Set aside a weekend and join Indy (Harrison Ford) on all kinds of incredible adventures. Here are the films in order of release: Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981, PG) Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984, PG) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989, PG-13) Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008, PG-13) Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023, PG-13) You can stream all five of them now on Disney+.

TRIVIA MANIA

FAMILY HOLIDAY STREAMING

Pokemon Concierge TV-Y7 — When Pokémon need a break, they head to a peaceful resort to relax, looked after by a team of Pokémon concierges. This series follows newcomer Haru as she learns how to take care of Pokémon guests that include Pikachu, Eevee, Dragonite, and Magikarp. As Haru figures out how to make her guests happy, she ends up discovering a new side to herself. (Netflix, December 28th premiere) Merry Little Batman TV-G — This Christmas, little Damian Wayne wants to be a superhero like his dad, the one and only Batman. When Damian is left home alone at Wayne Manor while Batman takes on Gotham's worst supervillains, he stumbles upon a villainous plot to steal Christmas and leaps at the chance to confront the enemies and save the day. (Prime Video, December 8th premiere) Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever PG — With two weeks until Christmas, Greg Heffley is trying to be good to stay in the good graces of his parents and get a prized video game system. But he accidentally triggers a giant snowball that rolls down the hill and damages a snowplow. When a huge blizzard hits and traps Greg and his family at home with no power and dwindling supplies, they must figure out how to deal with cabin fever and enjoy the holiday. (Disney+, December 8th premiere)

DOCUMENTARIES AND DOCUSERIES

Kevin Hart & Chris Rock: Headliners Only TV-MA — From back in the day to the top of their game, Kevin Hart and Chris Rock offer an unparalleled, behind-the-scenes look at their early lives, their triumphs, and their brotherhood. Follow the two comedy icons as they take over New York City for an unforgettable week of sold-out shows. (Netflix, December 12th premiere) World War II: From the Frontlines TV-MA — Through vividly enhanced archival footage and voices from all sides of the global conflict, this British-produced docuseries brings WWII to life like never before. It features powerful first-person stories told by the men and women who fought and plunges the viewer directly onto the frontlines. (Netflix, December 7th premiere) Timeless Heroes: Indiana Jones and Harrison Ford NR — Learn how this once-in-a-generation movie star went from small acting parts to being a carpenter to becoming Indiana Jones. The documentary features interviews with Harrison Ford, Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, and others involved in the film franchise. Ford's career was transformed thanks to his collaborations with Spielberg and Lucas. (Disney+, December 1st premiere)

NEW STREAMING RELEASES

Please note: Streaming services sometimes make last-minute changes to the premiere dates of films and series. This calendar was prepared on November 29th, 2023, but changes may have been made since then. Remember, while the dates below indicate the first day you're able to stream the featured film or series, streaming enables you to enjoy them whenever you'd like! December 1st Spirited — PG-13, Original Film. This musical twist on the classic Charles Dickens story is told from the perspective of the ghosts and stars Will Ferrell, Ryan Reynolds, and Octavia Spencer. Although originally released in 2022, this sing-along version is available for the first time ever. (Apple TV+) Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny — PG-13, Film. Harrison Ford returns to the role of the legendary hero archaeologist for this final installment of the iconic franchise. (Disney+) Timeless Heroes: Indiana Jones & Harrison Ford — NR, Documentary. Learn how this once-in-a-generation movie star went from small acting parts to being a carpenter to becoming Indiana Jones. (Disney+) The Shepherd — PG, Original Short Film. On Christmas Eve, a young Royal Air Force pilot flying home across the North Sea finds himself in peril when his radio and electric power cut out. (Disney+) The Snoopy Show: Happiness is Holiday Traditions — TV-G, Holiday Special. In this new adventure, Snoopy searches for the perfect tree topper and Woodstock gets trapped in a window display. (Apple TV+) Candy Cane Lane — PG, Original Film. Eddie Murphy stars in this holiday comedy adventure about a man on a mission to win his neighborhood's annual Christmas home decoration contest. (Prime Video) Click here for more December releases...

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