Happy first weekend of April, everyone! When April arrives, I truly feel like the promise of Spring is here, or at least near! Since we had a little snow recently here in the Midwest, one never knows when the Winter-like weather will end, and Spring weather will truly begin in all its splendid glory.
As we welcome in April, we will be showered this weekend with all sorts of wonderful movies and TV series options... with the premiere of a new mystery and romantic-comedy, plus the 11th season of When Calls the Heart and the series premiere of Blue Ridge and more!
See all of the details below...
Friday, April 5, 2024
Storyline: Hannah Swensen (Alison Sweeney) has been asked to teach a baking class at the college in town, but her equipment is tampered with causing an explosion that the fire department rules an accident. Soon, a colleague ends up dead and Hannah begins to put together the puzzle of the mysterious circumstances surrounding the murder while being on the list of suspects herself. Hannah leans on her friends and family to collect the breadcrumbs of foul play and put them together, and meets a different side of law and order when she crosses paths with Lake Eden’s by-the book prosecuting attorney Chad Norton (Victor Webster).
Premieres Friday, April 5, 2024
at 9pm/8c. on Hallmark Mystery
Saturday, April 6, 2024:
Storyline: A bookstore owner finds love and direction in life after agreeing to review a famous author’s new novel in her blind-date-with-a-book club.
Premieres Saturday, April 6, 2024
at 8pm/7c. on the Hallmark Channel
Sunday, April 7, 2024:
Into the Wild Frontier
Episode 3
Episode 3, “Bill Hamilton: The Last Mountain Man,” details via INSP:
Coming of age on the frontier, young Bill Hamilton joins Old Bill Williams on an epic adventure during the final days of the fur trade. The last true mountain man, Hamilton's courage is tested when he faces an epic showdown with Bannock warriors.
Into the Wild Frontier Episode 3
premieres Sunday, April 7, 2024
at 6PM ET. on INSP
Sunday, April 7, 2024:
Episode 1 - Pilot:
Sheriff Justin Wise's peaceful routine of serving and protecting the town of Blue Ridge while co-parenting his teenage daughter goes up in flames when the town's police station is burned to the ground under mysterious and very deadly circumstances.
Premieres Sunday, April 7, 2024
at 8pm/7c. on the Cowboy Way Channel
This is a weekly TV series that is streaming for free!
The Blue Ridge movie is also airing prior to the series premiere at 6pm/5c on the Cowboy Way Channel.
The Blue Ridge movie is also airing prior to the series premiere at 6pm/5c on the Cowboy Way Channel.
My Review of Blue Ridge: The Series –
If you enjoyed the action-packed adventures and mystery of the movie Blue Ridge, then you are going to love the same action, danger, and excitement in the first episode of Blue Ridge: The Series! I had the honor of pre-screening the first episode, and I can assure you that it has all the same thrilling dynamics and energy as the original film.
In the series, Johnathon Schaech returns as Sheriff Justin Wise, whose mission is to keep law & order in their remote country town. Sarah Lancaster portrays Justin’s now ex-wife, Elli, but it’s obvious the two still have a spark between them as they navigate raising their teenage daughter, Maddie, portrayed by Taegen Burns.
When Justin makes a routine traffic stop and rescues a woman who has been kidnapped, he and Maxine (A.K.A. 'Maxx,' his new female rookie deputy) discover there’s much more to this crime.
I won’t give away the mystery portion, but this intense storyline is truly captivating- involving a witness in hiding, a fatal fire, and a pursuit through the backwoods on four-wheelers.
Due to some violence, this series is probably best suited for mature, pre-teen age and up. Otherwise, this episode is family-friendly.
I enjoyed this first episode, and I’m looking forward to watching the rest of this series! ~Net
Where to Watch The Cowboy Way Channel:
*FREE via:
Philo, Xumo, Plex, DistroTV, and Redbox.
*Stream through these apps with a subscription:
Frndly TV, Sling FreeStream, and FreeCast.
*Watch on these TV's:
Samsung, Vizio Watch Free, and Roku.
If you need more info, visit https://cowboywaychannel.com/where-to-watch/.
Sunday, April 7, 2024:
Episode 1 - “When Stars Align” :
Storyline: Elizabeth turns over a new leaf. Nathan returns home from an investigation, and Bill questions its outcome. Rosemary chases a scoop. Lucas makes a surprise announcement.
Click here to see more images for this episode.
Premieres Sunday, April 7, 2024
at 9pm/8c. on the Hallmark Channel
Programming Notes & News:
*I've decided to change up this section of the weekend post, where I typically share a sprinkling of classic movies airing over the weekend. With Spring here and Summer on the way, I figure most of us will be a bit busier, likely outdoors more often, and have less time for older movies, so I won't be sharing this section as much in the coming weeks/months.
Once again, the weekend posts will mainly focus on the NEW Movies & Series premiering over the weekend. If there is something special airing, however, I may cover it every now and then.
For instance...
Have YOU heard about the NEW TV Channel, Merit Street? Dr. Phil McGraw (a well-known television host) has spearheaded this new network in partnership with TBN, Trinity Broadcasting Network.
Merit Street is a channel where you can find news and entertainment programs. The network officially launched on April 2, 2024 and promises to offer enlightenment and inspiration.
Included in Merit Street's schedule lineup for this weekend, on both Saturday and Sunday nights from 6pm-10pm, are family-friendly films that previously aired on Great American Family. This weekend, you can see Love in Aruba and Harmony from the Heart on Saturday and My Boss' Wedding and Passport to Love on Sunday.
For those of you who may have missed the initial airings of Just in Time, starring Laura Osnes, on Great American Family, you will have the opportunity to catch the encore airing on Merit Street on Saturday, April 13th at 7pm EST. (Please note: the movies will air from 7pm to 11pm - beginning on April 13th!)
If you're wondering where you can find Merit Street, it's available on DirecTV Channel 306, Dish Channel 247, or you can get the app through Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, etc... and watch free! Click here to visit Merit Street's Channel Finder Page for more details.
Also, I have more special programming details - UPtv has a marathon of the best of Amy and Ty Heartland episodes beginning Sunday at 1pm/12c. And don't forget, if you're a fan of the Heartland series, to check out the upcoming Virtual Fan Event on April 15th. Reserve your spot for the event at HeartlandFanFest.com.
I also want to congratulate UPtv for their spectacular ratings over Easter weekend! This is the scoop via Nielsen's ratings:
"UPtv’s Easter celebration reached 3.8 million viewers from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. The highest rated telecast of the stunt was Friday’s 10p airing of Passion of the Christ which ranked #36 in HH and Women & Persons 25-54."
[ Source: Nielsen L7 Most Current P2+ reach on 30 Easter Week telecasts 3/34/24-3/31/24. Passion of the Christ 3/29/24 8p-10p Ad Supported Cable Rank for HH, W25-54, P25-54 AA(000). ]
Christmas Movie News...
Guess what? Christmas movies are coming back on Hallmark Mystery in May! FOUR Christmas movies will air on Thursday, May 16th, all starring either Amanda Schull or Brendan Penny, who will be starring together in a new mystery, Family Practice Mysteries: Coming Home, on Friday, May 17th.
More Christmas movies are currently scheduled around Memorial Day weekend/week. Please note: some changes/additions may occur. See the current Christmas TV Schedule for details, and be sure to check back for any updates.
I hope you all have a truly beautiful weekend! I'm personally looking forward, most of all, to the new season of When Calls the Heart on Sunday night. I've noticed as I've been watching some of the earlier episodes during the Hallmark Family marathon this week how the show focused so beautifully on faith and remained a little more true to the time period, and I'm just hoping, as we enter the 11th season, that the show doesn't stray too far away from the feel and ideals of those earlier days.
Also, be sure to check out Blue Ridge: The Series on Sunday night! (If you didn't catch it, you can read my review above.) The first episode of Blue Ridge: The Series airs during the hour before WCTH at 8pm/7c, so you can easily watch both! And... if you haven't seen the mystery movie that started it all, Blue Ridge, will also air Sunday night at 6pm/5c. on the Cowboy Way Channel, just prior to the first episode!
Please note: I haven't pre-screened the new movies listed above. If you'd like to post a review on whether these films are family-friendly, please share in the comments below.
Blessings on your Weekend,
Net
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☀️ SHINING HIS LIGHT: ☀️
"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart;
and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him,
and he shall direct thy paths."
~Proverbs 3:5-6
