Sharing my heart on Lori Loughlin...

Image: Hallmark Crown Media

By now, I'm sure most of you have heard the heart-wrenching news regarding Lori Loughlin (Hallmark's "When Calls the Heart"). Unfortunately, she is one of many accused of being involved in a college admissions scam. Sadly, it has been difficult to watch as this news has developed throughout this week and the story repeats over and over on TV.

Since her indictment, Hallmark has parted ways with Lori, who we have watched in many of their films throughout the years, such as: "Meet My Mom," "Garage Sale Mysteries," "When Calls the Heart," "Northpole: Open for Christmas," "Homegrown Christmas," and more...

All current and future productions with Lori's involvement have been halted with Hallmark. Even "When Calls the Heart" has been pulled from airing Sunday night until they can figure out how to move forward with the show, without Lori.

This is truly a sad situation all around. For me, and for many of you, too, I'm sure Lori Loughlin will always be sweet Aunt Becky from "Full House." She's the one D.J. (Candace Cameron, at the time) and Stephanie (Jodie Sweetin) could turn to whenever they were in any trouble, and I hope that family of friends and other cast members are there for Lori now, helping her and her family through this difficult time.

Lori has been one of my personal favorites to watch in all of her Hallmark movies, and although she has made this error in judgement, my heart goes out to her. It seems the media, celebrities, and pundits are so quick to condemn, and we have yet to even hear her side of the story. This is America where everyone is innocent, until proven guilty.

Hallmark's statement:
"We are saddened by the recent news surrounding the college admissions allegations. We are no longer working with Lori Loughlin and have stopped development of all productions that air on the Crown Media Family Network channels involving Lori Loughlin including "Garage Sale Mysteries," an independent third party production," Crown Media Family Networks said in a statement.

It's evident from their statement here and other responses, that this situation is breaking their heart, the same as it's breaking ours. Hallmark isn't only a network, it's a family.

Please know, I know Lori's actions (if all true) were wrong, but I'm reminded of the scripture, "For all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God." (Romans 3:23)

I hope, with time, we can all extend them forgiveness and grace. I pray we can all come together, and lift Lori, and her family up in much needed prayer at this time. She has given us much joy with "Full House" and all her wonderful Hallmark movies. She has also extended great kindness to her fans via social media. I know I personally appreciated her following me on Twitter and her kind responses.

I hope in the spirit of "When Calls the Heart" and Hope Valley, we can all give Lori now our love, hope and prayers.

Blessings to you all, Net
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Looking BACK and AHEAD - Hallmark Crown Media TCA! #TCA18 #TCA @hallmarkchannel @hallmarkmovie

As we await news from Hallmark's TCA (Television Critics Association) Event, I thought it would be fun to take a look back at the last two celebrations!

Hallmark's 2018 Winter TCA took place earlier this year - on January 13th. Approximately 450 members of media, talent, and industry leaders were in attendance.

images via: Hallmark Crown Media

Many well known Hallmark stars, as you can see pictured above, attended the Winter TCA 2018 event to announce their upcoming projects. See lots of pictures - here!

💮💮💮💮💮💮💮💮💮💮💮💮

Last year, at their 2017 Summer TCA, on July 27th, Hallmark revealed its networks’ upcoming programming slate to more than 350 members of the TV Critics Association Summer Press Tour at a private residence in Beverly Hills, CA. 

images via: Hallmark Crown Media

Many well known Hallmark stars, including the ones pictures above, attended the Summer TCA 2017 event to announce their upcoming projects. See pictures of many Hallmark stars in attendance - here!

Breaking...

News has already been revealed, before tonight's Hallmark Summer 2018 TCA event begins, that actor Cameron Mathison ("A Summer to Remember") will be the new co-host of Hallmark's morning show, Home & Family.

WHAT NEWS DO YOU HOPE TO HEAR AT THE TCA's?

More than anything, I am hoping to hear the "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" movie series will continue. I just know there are many more stories to tell there and letters to deliver! I would also love to see Martha Williamson do an original Hallmark movie, besides SSD, too! Creatively, I know she has so much to offer!

Besides that, I would love to hear that Kathie Lee Gifford's project "When God Winks at You" is still in the works! The concept for this movie sounded so amazing and uplifting... like SSD, I'm hoping it still has a future on Hallmark!

What else? Well, I've already received my wish for a "All of My Heart" sequel #3... so I guess, perhaps a sequel to another Hallmark movie I love, like "My Favorite Wedding" with Paul Greene and Maggie Lawson! Those two had such fantastic on screen chemistry! Or, sequels to "Love at the Thanksgiving Day Parade," "A Country Wedding," or "Surprised by Love!" (that's my dream!)

In addition to that, I'm positive we will get more hints on Christmas - which is always filled with wonderful surprises!

Stay tuned for *Movie* news from Hallmark's Summer 2018 TCA Celebration!

Blessings, Net

See the *Stars* of Hallmark's Summer 2017 TCA Press Tour!

Many of Hallmark’s best and well known stars attended the 2017 Summer TCA event – from Chesapeake Shores, When Calls the Heart, to Mystery Movies and Hallmark Christmas Movies, too!

Via Hallmark: “On Thursday, July 27, Crown Media Family Networks, home of Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, celebrated “Where Hallmark and Hollywood Meet,” revealing its networks’ upcoming programming slate to more than 350 members of the TV Critics Association Summer Press Tour at a private residence in Beverly Hills, CA.”

Below… is a bunch (not all) of the celebrities, who attended the event, to promote their upcoming Hallmark movies!

Candace Cameron Bure
Photo Credit: Copyright 2017 Crown Media, Inc./Alexx Henry Studios

Kevin McGarry
Photo Credit: Copyright 2017 Crown Media, Inc./Alexx Henry Studios

Jill Wagner
Photo Credit: Copyright 2017 Crown Media, Inc./Alexx Henry Studios

Kavan Smith and Pascale Hutton
Photo Credit: Copyright 2017 Crown Media, Inc./Alexx Henry Studios

Kellie Martin
Photo Credit: Copyright 2017 Crown Media, Inc./Alexx Henry Studios

Cameron Mathison
Photo Credit: Copyright 2017 Crown Media, Inc./Alexx Henry Studios

Lacey Chabert
Photo Credit: Copyright 2017 Crown Media, Inc./Alexx Henry Studios

Brennan Elliott
Photo Credit: Copyright 2017 Crown Media, Inc./Alexx Henry Studios

Alexa and Carlos PenaVega
Photo Credit: Copyright 2017 Crown Media, Inc./Alexx Henry Studios

Cassidy Gifford
Photo Credit: Copyright 2017 Crown Media, Inc./Alexx Henry Studios

Kathie Lee Gifford
Photo Credit: Copyright 2017 Crown Media, Inc./Alexx Henry Studios

Alison Sweeney
Photo Credit: Copyright 2017 Crown Media, Inc./Alexx Henry Studios

Holly Robinson Peete and Rodney Peete
Photo Credit: Copyright 2017 Crown Media, Inc./Alexx Henry Studios

Bailee Madison
Photo Credit: CelebMafia

Sadie Robinson
Photo Credit: CelebMafia

Lori Loughlin with daughters Isabella & Olivia Giannulli
Photo Credit: Copyright 2017 Crown Media, Inc./Alexx Henry Studios

Paul Greene
Photo Credit: Copyright 2017 Crown Media, Inc./Alexx Henry Studios

Danica McKellar
Photo Credit: CelebMafia

Brooke Nevin
Photo Credit: CelebMafia

Ashley Williams and Kimberly Williams Paisley
Photo Credit: Copyright 2017 Crown Media, Inc./Alexx Henry Studios

Amanda Righetti
Photo Credit: Copyright 2017 Crown Media, Inc./Alexx Henry Studios

Happy the Dog
Photo Credit: Copyright 2017 Crown Media, Inc./Alexx Henry Studios

JonVoight
Photo Credit: Copyright 2017 Crown Media, Inc./Alexx Henry Studios

Trevor Donovan
Photo Credit: Copyright 2017 Crown Media, Inc./Alexx Henry Studios

Rachel Skarsten
Photo Credit: CelebMafia

Courtney Thorne-Smith
Photo Credit: Copyright 2017 Crown Media, Inc./Alexx Henry Studios

Rachel Boston
Photo Credit: CelebMafia

Sara Rue
Photo Credit: Copyright 2017 Crown Media, Inc./Alexx Henry Studios

Barbara Niven
Photo Credit: Copyright 2017 Crown Media, Inc./Alexx Henry Studios

Treat Williams
Photo Credit: Copyright 2017 Crown Media, Inc./Alexx Henry Studios

Brendan Penny
Photo Credit: Copyright 2017 Crown Media, Inc./Alexx Henry Studios

Jen Lilley
Photo Credit: CelebMafia

All in all, it looks like this was a grand event – to promote Hallmark’s 33 upcoming Christmas movies, plus When Calls the Heart, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, the new cable channel Hallmark Drama, and much more!!!

My goodness… we certainly have a lot to look forward to - from Hallmark! Like many of you, I certainly enjoy and I am grateful for their continued family-friendly entertainment!

Blessings on your day, Net

TCA NEWS! HALLMARK Launches New Cable Channel: HALLMARK DRAMA!

CROWN MEDIA FAMILY NETWORKS

TO LAUNCH HALLMARK DRAMA,

A THIRD LINEAR CABLE NETWORK,

ON OCTOBER 1

Network Will Conjure Hallmark Hall of Fame’s Long Tradition of Heartfelt Dramatic Storytelling

Beverly Hills, CA – July 27, 2017 – Crown Media Family Networks, home of Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries and cable’s leading provider of family entertainment, announced today the introduction of a third linear cable offering, Hallmark Drama, which will launch October 1. The announcement was made today as part of Crown Media Family Networks’ bi-annual TV Critics Association Press Tour as the company continues to register revenue and ratings growth across both its existing networks.

Featuring a wholly distinct lineup from Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, Hallmark Drama’s programming will evoke the rich legacy and spirit of Hallmark Hall of Fame, the most award-winning and longest-running primetime series in the history of television. In addition to spotlighting movies and series from Crown Media’s vast library of original dramatic content, plans are underway for new, original programming to be produced exclusively for the network.

“Crown Media represents a truly unique success story in the cable landscape as we continue to see an overwhelming demand for Hallmark-branded family entertainment – not just among viewers, but among advertisers and distributors, as well,” said Bill Abbott, President & CEO, Crown Media Family Networks. “The launch of Hallmark Drama, a significant milestone in our business’ evolution, allows us to further deliver on that demand and reflects our ongoing commitment to expanding our footprint within the ad-supported linear ecosystem.”

“Over the past several years, we have significantly expanded the original content lineups for both our networks – and it seems the more new programming we offer, the more viewers flock to our networks,” said Michelle Vicary, Executive Vice President, Programming & Network Publicity, Crown Media Family Networks. “While Hallmark Channel focuses on romantic, comedic fare and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries is rooted in the lighter side of the suspense genre, Hallmark Drama presents us an opportunity to further tap the Hallmark brand and give our audience even more of the engaging, family-friendly storytelling they have grown to expect and love.”

“Distributors have long embraced Crown Media’s networks because of the strength and trustworthiness of the Hallmark brand, as well as the quality and consistency of our content offerings,” said Erin McIlvain, Executive Vice President, Distribution & Content Strategy, Crown Media Family Networks. “With Hallmark Drama, we are building our linear presence and establishing another value proposition for our affiliate partners and their subscribers who demand our signature, family-friendly programming.”

ABOUT CROWN MEDIA FAMILY NETWORKS: Crown Media Family Networks is the umbrella unit subsidiary of Hallmark Cards, Inc., housing cable’s leading family friendly networks, Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, as well as their corresponding digital extensions HallmarkChannel.com and HallmarkMoviesandMysteries.com. The company operates and distributes both channels in high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) with Hallmark Channel available to 88 million subscribers and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries in 67 million homes in the United States. Hallmark Channel features an ambitious slate of new, original content, including movies; scripted series, such as “When Calls the Heart,” and “Good Witch” and “Chesapeake Shores”; annual specials including “Hero Dog Awards” and “Kitten Bowl”; world premieres of Hallmark Hall of Fame presentations, and a daily, two-hour lifestyle show, “Home & Family.” Hallmark Channel is also home to the popular annual holiday franchise “Countdown to Christmas,” featuring a lineup of 24/7 holiday programming. Rounding out the network’s lineup are television’s most beloved comedy and drama series, including “The Golden Girls,” “The Middle,” “Frasier,” “Last Man Standing” and “Home Improvement.” Hallmark Movies & Mysteries is a separate 24-hour, digital cable network featuring a unique mix of new, original movies and acquired series focused on the lighter side of the suspense and mystery genres. The network also features its own annual holiday programming franchise, “Most Wonderful Movies of Christmas,” as well as presentations from the multi-award-winning Hallmark Hall of Fame library.


via: Allison Bennett -- CROWN MEDIA FAMILY NETWORKS --

-- end of Hallmark Press Release --

###

The 2017 Hallmark Winter TCA Event! #TCA17

Two times a year, Crown Media Press rolls out the carpet for it's Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries stars - in January & July! Each time they gather, they illuminate upcoming projects and often shed light on "potential" movies, series, and actors & actresses to come in Hallmark Original Movies!

This years 2017 Hallmark TCA Winter Event is taking place this weekend - Saturday, January 14, 2017!

Since I don't post on Sundays, I wanted you all to know... I will be poring over all the news on Saturday, too, and sharing all the details I discover - on Monday! 

Should be fun & interesting to see who attends this one!

Have a Blessed Weekend, Everyone!!!

Hallmark launches CROWN MEDIA PRODUCTIONS to create Hallmark Movies!

Currently, the movies we see on the Hallmark Channel are produced by a variety of different Production Companies, including: Mar Vista Productions, Side Street Post, Believe Pictures, Chesler-Perlmutter Productions, Hybrid Production Media Group, Muse Entertainment Enterprises, Front Street Pictures, Johnson Production Group... and many more! (to name a few!)

Now, the Hallmark Channel has embarked on the creation of their own production company, "Crown Media Productions". With this newly founded production company, they will begin the process of creating their own original movies, for their own network!

Here are the details...     

Via Hallmark Press Release:

CROWN MEDIA FAMILY NETWORKS HANGS IN-HOUSE PRODUCTION SHINGLE TO INCREASE PRODUCTION OF ORIGINAL CONTENT

Benefits Include Increasing Original Content Output, Ownership of Worldwide Rights, and Increasing Crown Media Family Networks’ Extensive Film Library

Crown Media Family Networks, home of Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, announces the launch of Crown Media Productions, an in-house production company aimed at increasing the company’s original content across multiple platforms. Michelle Vicary will have oversight of Crown Media Productions where it is expected that creative relationships fostered over 15 years will make the startup immediately successful. Benefits of the in-house production unit include an increase in original content output, ownership of all rights, more direct involvement with the creative process, and providing another avenue for increasing Crown Media Family Networks’ extensive film library.

Crown Media Productions will produce up to 6 TV films in 2015, all of which will be released under the banner of a Hallmark Channel Original or Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Original. The new production shingle will target doubling of this year’s output in 2016 and beyond. The first original films to come from Crown Media Productions will begin airing later this year.

''Launching Crown Media Productions represents the next stage of the company’s evolution,'' said Michelle Vicary, Executive Vice President, Programming, Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries.

“A production arm creates the infrastructure that makes it possible for us to keep up with an ever-growing demand for more and more Original Hallmark-branded programming across a variety of platforms, and it benefits Crown Media with more direct input into the creative process and financing, rights retention, and growing one of the best family film libraries in entertainment,” Vicary concluded.

Crown Media Family Networks brand has a long and storied history as a distribution banner and will now enjoy the benefits of an internal production arm. The company will provide financing for the new entity and retain all distribution rights worldwide. Crown Media Productions will have in-house creative production executives and strategic publicity and marketing capabilities while relying on the company’s overall infrastructure to power the new division. The new entity will be presented to Hollywood creative agencies within the coming weeks.

----- End of Press Release -----

 

 

My Thoughts:

First of all, Congratulations to the Hallmark Channel on the launching of this new production company. It is my sincerest hope that "Crown Media Productions" will create the type of family movies we have come to know and enjoy on the Hallmark Channel through the years. I know many Hallmark viewers, myself included, will look forward to seeing their first production, later this year.