images via: Hallmark Media |
Today, September 10, 2024, is the official launch date of Hallmark+.
If you're not sure what this is, basically, it's a rebranding of Hallmark Media's previous streaming service, Hallmark Movies Now. This streamer now includes even more new content: original series, romantic-comedies, mysteries, lifestyle programming, interviews, and more! I highlight some of the newest offerings below.
Hallmark+ New Content Includes:
Celebrations with Lacey Chabert
details via Hallmark: "The show follows Chabert as she surprises deserving individuals who are making a positive impact in their communities with the celebration of a lifetime. With the help of professional party planners, celebrity friends and a team of volunteers, Chabert will have just three days to create an unforgettable event, blending heartwarming stories with dazzling celebrations."
The Chicken Sisters - an original drama series with eight episodes starring Schuyler Fisk, Lea Thompson, Wendie Malick, and a large ensemble cast.
details via Hallmark: The Chicken Sisters is a "family drama dipped in southern charm and served up with a saucy side of romance. The setting is the fictional town of Merinac, where a generations-old rift between dueling fried chicken restaurants – Mimi’s and Frannie’s – has left the founders’ families fractured and the locals taking sides. When the popular cooking competition show Ultimate Kitchen Clash comes to town, it could be the recipe for ending this feud once and for all. But things are fixing to heat up both inside and outside of the kitchen as the reality show spotlight causes sparks to fly as secrets are spilled and feathers get ruffled."
The Jane Mysteries, starring Jodie Sweetin and Stephen Huszar
Three new mysteries in this series drop in September:
· The Jane Mysteries: A Deadly Prescription - Premieres Tuesday, September 10- Jane and John work together to clear a teenager's name.
· The Jane Mysteries: Murder at Moseby - Premieres Thursday, September 19 -Jane returns to her college alma mater to solve a long-standing mystery.
· The Jane Mysteries: Too Much to Lose - Premieres Thursday, September 26 - Jane investigates the disappearance of a journalist after a significant game show win.
Love on the Danube movie trilogy - three films set against the picturesque backdrop of a European river cruise.
· Love on the Danube: Love Song - Premieres Tuesday, September 10 - Nazneen Contractor and Wes Brown are fellow passengers on a cruise who serve as matchmakers for their widowed, music-loving parents.
· Love on the Danube: Royal Getaway -Premieres Thursday, September 19 - Jessica Sipos and Dan Jeannotte star in this romantic tale of a heartbroken art gallery manager, who takes her honeymoon river cruise solo and meets an incognito prince.
· Love on the Danube: Kissing Stars - Premieres Thursday, September 26 - Sarah Power and Brendan Penny star as a publicist and a rising film star whose professional collaboration on a cruise develops into an unexpected romance.
Hallmark Movie VIP Pass
This series is being described as a behind-the-scenes talk show-type series. Actress Tamara Mowrey-Housley hosts this new series, as she sits down and watches some of Hallmark’s most popular films with the stars themselves. During commercial breaks, they will have Q&A, trivia, and games.
Another series is coming...
Hallmark+ has ordered a new drama series titled Ripple.
"From Lionsgate TV, Ripple explores how unexpectedly connected we are as human beings. Set in New York City, Nate, Kris, Walter and Aria have crossed paths hundreds of times, yet they’ve never met. Because of the seemingly minuscule decisions these core four make in the pilot, we’ll witness the ripple effect of how these strangers, all dealing with life’s challenges in their own way, are led to one another."
My Quick Take:
I am not currently a subscriber to the Hallmark+ streaming platform; however, I have subscribed to Hallmark Movies Now in the past.
Please know, I'm not planning to share month by month the new offerings available on Hallmark+, as my focus here at It's a Wonderful Movie is still on movies premiering on TV; however, if you are a subscriber and you'd like to share any news on the movies, series, or whatever else is on Hallmark+, please feel free any time to share with us! I'm sure many who visit here would enjoy getting your take. I know I certainly would because there's a great possibility these movies may one day end up on the Hallmark Channel or Hallmark Mystery.
Thank you for reading this post today. To learn more about subscribing to Hallmark+, visit this link.
No, I'm not celebrating. Zero interest in reality shows or more lousy 'destination romance' movies. And in case no on has heard or suspected, The Chicken Sisters is not clean at all! -Maria
ReplyDeleteThe content looks great, but can’t afford yet another streaming service right now. We pay plenty just to get our cable.
ReplyDeleteI can't justify paying for another streaming service.
ReplyDeleteNet- Like you I was a subscriber of Hallmark Now and dropped it over some content I prefer not to watch. I find I am watching Hallmark less and less except for a few select mystery series. I have read on various business news outlets that some companies are changing CEO’s and revamping their business model. Is Hallmark in that column as they look at profits? Bottom line, this viewer, finds programming I like on GAF and PureFlix.
ReplyDeleteTime will tell how this “story” goes.
-Gabe’s Mom
Same with us, Gabe’s Mom and Net. We had HMN, but then we decided we saw most of what we really wanted to see on the channel itself. If I have to wait a little longer to see the movies they are playing there, that’s fine by me. I can wait. The new show with Lacey does look fun, though. Christie
DeleteHow much is Hallmark Plus going to cost?
ReplyDeleteHow much will it cost? Hallmark+ will cost $8 a month or $80 a year. That's a price increase from the current subscription cost of Hallmark Movies Now, which is priced at $6 a month or $60 a year
How much will Hallmark Plus cost?
$7.99 per month
Folks can subscribe to Hallmark+'s plans that start at $7.99 per month or $79.99 per year. The membership will also include benefits & rewards for the entire brand, like a $5 coupon for Hallmark's Gold Crown Store every month, an unlimited amount of eCards, shopping rewards & exclusive
See if you can get Hallmark+ on Hoopla. It’s free through the library online.
DeleteI am not a subscriber. When The Chicken Sisters was announced everyone thought Hallmark is adding another series. They never mentioned in the press release that is was going to air on hallmark+. I think there are going to be more Christmas movies this year on Hallmark+ and would not be surprised at all in one of the series does not move there too.
ReplyDeleteFor those of you who had Hallmark Movies Now, and now have Hallmark+, good news: it appears that they are keeping the Now rate until your monthly subscription ends and not doing any prorating. They have also not removed any content (from what I can tell) from Now, which means the abundance of older movies are still there.
ReplyDeleteToday they added the Love on the Danube: Love Song film and The Jane Mysteries: A Deadly Prescription film - nothing else at this point. I plan on watching these two movies sometime this week and will let you know my thoughts.
Thank you Mark! You can be our mole and investigate some of these newer offerings on Hallmark +
DeleteHappy watching friend π
~Paula
I am not celebrating. I barely watch Hallmark as it is now. I just don't understand. Seems GAF is also going to make the same mistake.
ReplyDeleteMisty
I don’t know if I would call it celebrating, but I love being able to watch Hallmark Movies Now(now Hallmark+) on Hoopla with giving my money to Hallmark. I would rather give my money to a company that doesn’t support LGTB.
ReplyDeleteReview: Love on the Danube: Love Song -
ReplyDeleteFamily-friendly? Yes -
Recommend? Worth a Watch -
This movie was better than what I thought it was going to be. I was afraid, like so many other "destination" movies, that it was primarily going to be like a travelogue for a river cruise on the Danube. Somewhat, yes, but not all that much. And it has an interesting plot, with the two leads trying to get their widowed parents together. Great acting by Nazneen and Wes, with these two playing well off each other. One major problem I had, though, was how long it took for each of them to realize that they were falling for the other person - it got to be a little ridiculous. Anyway, for those of you who have Hallmark+, I think it is worth at least a one-time watch. But that said, for those of you who don't have Hallmark+, you're not missing anything major.
Review: The Jane Mysteries: A Deadly Prescription -
ReplyDeleteFamily-friendly? Yes -
Recommend? Nope -
I did not watch the Jane Mystery from last year, so maybe there was something in that movie that would have made me appreciate this one a bit more. Or maybe not. Anyway, I am starting from scratch with this series. And it is a big No for me.
Because...
* The mystery is boring, and it is not too difficult to solve. Also, the culprit is shown about 2/3 into the movie.
* The acting is bad. Jodie Sweetin may be okay in some romcoms, but in a more serious role like this, she is in over her head. She overacts and simply cannot be taken seriously. Stephen Huszar, on the other hand, was too low key and seemed like he was never into his role. And there is absolutely no chemistry between these two.
* The script has too many cringe-worthy subplots and one-liners which make Jodie's character come across at times as silly or careless or unknowledgeable or rude.
* And what is with the songs? Jodie must have in her contract that she is to sing a few songs in these movies, because, while yes she is a very good singer, they are uncalled for and stop the flow of the movie.
Here's an example that includes some of the problems I have mentioned: Jodie and Stephen enter a nightclub where they are to be inconspicuous. The owner tells Jodie the singer can't perform and can she step in(?!), and the next thing you know she is belting out this song on stage like she has been singing it her whole life!
Okay, I guess you can tell that I didn't care for this movie at all. I will not be bothering with the other two movies in this series, so. sorry, I won't be doing any other Jane Mystery movie reviews.
Hi Mark! Okay your review of The Jane Mysteries is cracking me up because I thought the same when I saw the first one! I kept thinking “why is she singing again….” And then she kept making these hand movements while she sang and yes it threw off the scene when it cut to her singing. Thank you for taking the time to review these duds π But I hope you had a lot of snacks to get you through it! Lol
Delete~Paula
I just wanted to let everybody know, since I have been designated the Hallmark+ mole by Paula :) that I am not a fan at all of any reality series, so I will not be watching Celebrations with Lacey Chabert. The plot of The Chicken Sisters does not sound interesting to me for an eight-episode show, so I will be passing on this as well.
ReplyDeleteLast night I did watch My Family Christmas Tree as one of the Hallmark VIP Pass movies. They had Andrew Walker and Aimee Teegarden as the guests. All I could think of was how Hallmark was trying to incorporate the former Home and Garden show into this, with its interviews, crafts, games, and silliness. Watching Andrew's and Aimee's reactions at some of these going-ons...it was like they were thinking, this is so ridiculous! Anyway, I would much rather prefer that they just interview the stars at the end of the film and skip the other stuff, although in this case, very little insight was provided into this movie. I also don't appreciate breaking up the film this way as if it were commercial breaks. So, maybe I will break down and watch another VIP Pass movie if it is one that is high on my favorites list (like this one is), hoping to learn something really interesting. Otherwise, I will probably pass on these and just watch it as a regular Hallmark+ movie.
I just saw Hallmark+ while watching $6th Emmy Awards
ReplyDeleteMistletoe Murders’ Featuring Sarah Drew Reveals Premiere Date On Hallmark+
ReplyDeleteThe new Sarah Drew starrer Mistletoe Murdershas a start date.
The six-episode holiday series will premiere Thursday, Oct. 31 on Hallmark+. The series features the Grey’s Anatomy alum as Emily Lane, an optimistic shop owner of a charming year-round Christmas-themed store. However, her inner voice reveals a sardonic sense of humor, cunning intellect, and keen eye for details most people would miss…because Emily has a big secret. Residing in the quaint tourist town of Fletcher’s Grove, Emily finds herself compelled to investigate not-so-quaint local murders. And when Emily begins her personal investigations, Detective Sam Wilner (Peter Mooney), a smart local cop – with a crush on Emily that is not completely unrequited – begins to wonder if there’s more to Emily than meets the eye.f
The series also stars newcomer Sierra Marilyn Riley (Violet), Jean Yoon (Kim’s Convenience), Lara Amersey (Operation Nutcracker), Good Witch alum Kylee Evans and David Hewlett (The Shape of Water). Guest stars this season include Tom Cavanagh (The Flash), Jake Epstein (Suits) and Steven Lund (Schitt’s Creek).
We’re excitedly dipping our toe in the Christmas Noir space by bringing Hallmark’s cozy mystery viewers a holiday murder mystery for the first time,” Kelly Garrett, VP, Programming, Hallmark Media. “This deftly layered story is based on the beloved Audible Original series by Ken Cupurus and will take us deeper into who our characters are and will give the audience fun new twists and turns.”
Executive Producer/Showrunner is Ken Cuperus (Carter). Other EPs are Michelle Melanson (The Next Step), Jocelyn Hamilton (Burden of Truth), Drew and co-EP Grant Harvey (The Way Home) and producer Robbie David (Dark Matter). The series comes from Lionsgate Canada and Headspinner Productions.
Mistletoe Murders was adapted from the Audible Original series of the same name starring Cobie Smulders, Raymond Ablack and a full ensemble cast. Two seasons are currently available and season 3 will premiere on Nov. 7.
Last night I watched another Hallmark+ VIP Pass movie and one of my favorite Hallmark Christmas ones, The Gift of Peace. This presentation was so much better than the one for My Family Christmas Tree. The questions asked of the two stars, Nikki Deloach and Brennan Elliott, were much more serious and oftentimes focused on their Christian lives. It is so obvious that these two stars have a deep affection for each other. Many times they would touch the other's arm or hand, or give a hug, when answering a question, and they would sometimes tear up when answering or hearing the other's answer. They would also tear up when watching a scene from the movie! Yes, there was a silly gift-wrapping contest thrown in, but overall the segments were very good. This one is definitely worth catching!
ReplyDelete(There is only one other Hallmark VIP Pass Christmas movie available at this time and that is Haul Out the Holly. Since I was not a fan of this movie, I will be passing on watching this VIP Pass presentation.)
Mark 25, I've been enjoying all your updates on Hallmark+ and, so far, I've been able to resist signing up for yet another streaming channel. But you know I loved laughing my way through Haul Out the Holly, so I might need to join "Plus" now just to hear Wes and Lacey talk and laugh about the movie! Question for you: is a VIP Pass something different (or extra) than just a regular $80/year membership? ~~Jane
DeleteHi Jane, I appreciate your comment regarding my Hallmark+ reviews. In answer to your question, no, it is one of the features of Hallmark+. You can see Net's description above for everything that is included with Hallmark+.
Delete