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 --

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TCA NEWS! WHEN CALLS THE HEART *Season FIVE*

PRESS RELEASE VIA HALLMARK CROWN MEDIA FAMILY NETWORKS --

SEASON FIVE OF HALLMARK CHANNEL’S
‘WHEN CALLS THE HEART’
PREMIERES WITH TWO-HOUR
SNEAK PEEK
DURING ‘COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS’

Returning February 2018, Series Earned Record Ratings in Season Four

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – July 27, 2017 – Season five of Hallmark Channel’s original, primetime series “When Calls the Heart” returns with a two-hour sneak peek during the network’s annual, popular programming event, “Countdown to Christmas.” In February 2018, the saga of Hope Valley will continue with 10, one-our weekly episodes. Since its debut in January 2014, the frontier drama has continued to see viewership growth each year, with season four bringing double-digit gains in HHs and key demos.* The announcement was made today as part of Crown Media Family Network’s bi-annual TV Critics Association Summer Press Tour.

“The record ratings ‘When Calls the Heart’ earned in season four are a testament to the compelling, heartfelt storytelling by our writers and our stellar cast that brings to life the tale of Hope Valley each week,” said Michelle Vicary, Executive Vice President, Programming and Network Publicity, Crown Media Family Networks. “We are thankful for tireless fan support from the #Hearties and couldn’t be more pleased to give them another season of their favorite show.”

The series boasts a passionate fan base known as the #Hearties, who have become a social media phenomenon, making “When Calls the Heart” one of the network’s most social series. The #Hearties’ activity on social media has reached record levels, causing the show to trend consecutively during every new episode since season four premiered on Sunday, February 19. To date, “When Calls the Heart” has seen a 15% growth in social media impressions secured over season three.

Based on the book of the same name by Janette Oke, the series stars Erin Krakow (“Army Wives”), Lori Loughlin (“Fuller House,” “90210”), Daniel Lissing (“The Last Resort”), Jack Wagner (“The Bold and the Beautiful”), Pascale Hutton (“Sanctuary”) and Kavan Smith (“Supernatural”).

Hallmark Channel’s Original Primetime Series “When Calls the Heart” is an All Canadian Entertainment Production in association with Brad Krevoy Television and Believe Pictures. Brad Krevoy, Paul Jackson, Cynthia J. Cohen, Brian Bird, Michael Landon, Jr., Susie Belzberg, Eric Jarboe, Michael Shepard and Jimmy Townsend are executive producers. Derek Thompson, Elizabeth Stewart, Amanda Phillips Atkins, and Lori Loughlin, are co- executive producers. Vicki Sotheran and Greg Malcolm serve as producers. Richard Manning, Neill Fearnley, Peter DeLuise, and Michael Rohl serve as supervising producers. Doran S. Chandler and Vince Balzano are associate producers.

*Source: Nielsen Company. "When Calls the Heart" Season 4 vs. 3.

ABOUT HALLMARK CHANNEL: Hallmark Channel is Crown Media Family Networks’ flagship 24-hour cable television network, distributed nationwide in high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) to 88 million homes. As the country’s leading destination for quality family entertainment, Hallmark Channel delivers on the 100-year legacy of the Hallmark brand. In addition to its signature new, original movies, the network features an ambitious lineup of other new, original content, including scripted primetime series, such as “Good Witch,” “When Calls the Heart” and “Chesapeake Shores”; annual specials including “Kitten Bowl” and “Hero Dog Awards”; and a daily, two-hour lifestyle show, “Home & Family.” Additionally, Hallmark Channel is the exclusive home to world premiere presentations of the acclaimed Hallmark Hall of Fame franchise. Dedicated to helping viewers celebrate life’s special moments, Hallmark Channel also offers annual holiday programming franchises, including “Countdown to Christmas,” “Countdown to Valentine’s Day,” “Summer Nights,” “Fall Harvest” and “Winterfest.” Rounding out the network’s diverse slate are some of television’s most beloved comedies and series, including “The Golden Girls,” “The Middle,” “Last Man Standing,” and “Frasier.”

via: Maria Fischer -- CROWN MEDIA FAMILY NETWORKS --

-- end of Hallmark Press Release --   

TCA NEWS! HALLMARK MOVIES & MYSTERIES - Returning Favorites & New Suspense!

HALLMARK MOVIES & MYSTERIES ANNOUNCES

NEW INSTALLMENTS OF RETURNING FRANCHISES,

ALL-NEW MOVIES FROM AL ROKER, JUDY SMITH

AND UPCOMING ORIGINAL WORLD PREMIERES

New Movies for Popular Mystery Franchises “Garage Sale Mystery,” “Aurora Teagarden,” “Gourmet Detective,” “Signed, Sealed, Delivered,” “Hailey Dean Mysteries,” and “Fixer Upper Mystery” Will Return to the Network

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – July 27, 2017 – Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, the premiere television destination for thrilling mysteries, will present a slate of new, original world premiere movies for its upcoming program schedule. Cable television’s fastest-growing network unveiled plans for new movie installments of its returning popular mystery franchises, along with two newly developed deals: one with Al Roker (“Today”) that stars Holly Robinson Peete (“Chicago Fire,” “Angel of Christmas”) and one with crisis management expert, Judy Smith. The announcement was made today as part of Crown Media Family Networks’ bi-annual TV Critics Association Press Tour.

Viewers will be treated to more of their favorite mysteries with new installments of “Garage Sale Mystery” starring Lori Loughlin (“Fuller House”); “Aurora Teagarden” starring Candace Cameron Bure (“Fuller House”) and Marilu Henner (“Taxi”); “Gourmet Detective” starring Dylan Neal ( Fifty Shades of Grey ) and Brooke Burns (“The Chase”); “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” starring Eric Mabius (“Ugly Betty”), Kristin Booth (“Orphan Black”), Crystal Lowe (“Primeval: New World”) and Geoff Gustafson (“Rogue”); “Hailey Dean Mysteries” starring Kellie Martin (“ER,” “The Guest Book”) and “Fixer Upper Mysteries” starring Grammy Award nominee Jewel and Colin Ferguson (“The Vampire Diaries”).

Building on these audience favorites, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries will release new, original world premieres. These highly anticipated mysteries include “Darrow & Darrow” (working title) from Emmy Award ® Winner Phoef Sutton (“Cheers,” “Boston Legal”) starring Kimberly Williams-Paisley (“Father of the Bride”), Tom Cavanagh (“The Flash,” “Ed”) and Wendie Malick (“Hot in Cleveland”) and “The Midnight Show Murders,” based on the book penned by Al Roker and Dick Lochte, which will star Holly Robinson Peete. Also new to the network is the original world premiere movie “The Adjuster,” which is loosely based on the real-life experiences and professional work of Judy Smith, crisis management expert and inspiration for the TV series “Scandal.”

Viewers have made Hallmark Movies & Mysteries the home for mysteries on cable television, as reflected in a raise in ratings continuing in 2017. The second quarter of 2017 tied the fourth quarter of 2016 as the network’s highest quarter ever among Total Day HH delivery, and the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Original Movie Premieres during that quarter were up year over year by +59% among W25-54. Most recently, June 2017 became the network’s highest June in history among Total Day HH, W18-49, A18-49, A25-54, and Total Viewer delivery, and became Hallmark Movies & Mysteries’ second highest month ever behind an astronomical December 2016 among Total Day HH delivery.*

“Our viewers have really responded to the suspense, sleuthing and thrills in our original movies, and we are excited to deliver even more high quality mystery content through the rest of the year and in to 2018,” said Michelle Vicary, Executive Vice President, Programming and Network Publicity, Crown Media Family Networks. “We know they will love the new installments of their favorite franchises and are confident that they’ll embrace the new mysteries we have in store.”

* Source: The Nielsen Company:
2Q17 (3/27 – 6/25/17)
4Q16 (9/26 – 12/25/ 16)
June 2017 (6/29 – 7/25/17).
Total Day (Mon – Sun 6A - 6A).

via: Pam Slay, George Zaralidis -- CROWN MEDIA FAMILY NETWORKS --

# # #

-- end of Hallmark Press Release --

Sun, Sand and Romance -- a Hallmark Channel Original "Summer Nights" Movie!

MOVIE REVIEW

Movie: Sun, Sand and Romance

Network: Hallmark Channel

Original Air Date: August 26, 2017

CAST:

Paul Campbell ... Shep
Tricia Helfer ... Kate
Sadie Robertson ... Chloe
Scott Elrod ... Eric
Tim Russ ... Gus
Heidi Fielek ... Sally

PLOT:

Storyline via Hallmark: Kate, a driven accounting executive, heads to Cancun with her boyfriend Eric, an equally ambitious land development executive, for some much-needed rest and relaxation. But the getaway they agreed would be 90 percent romance and just 10 percent work becomes anything but that. Upon arrival, Eric learns a prominent real estate developer is a guest in their resort. Wanting to seize the opportunity for potential business, Eric chases this new venture and leaves Kate to her own devices time and again. Luckily, Shep, the resort’s activities director, is an old friend of Kate’s from her camp counselor days and more than willing to help fill her solo hours with fun and adventure. As the old friends spend more time together and reconnect, Kate is reminded of dreams she used to have and finds herself wondering if it’s time to change course.

Movie Review:

Coming...


See or Skip:

Coming...

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Visiting Christmas TV History!

Today is my day at ChristmasTVHistory.com! If you are not familiar with it, it's a web-site created by author Joanna Wilson - where she shares all about Christmas Entertainment! It has become an annual tradition each July for her to host a *Christmas in July party* where everyone is invited to take part by answering questions in a Christmas Questionnaire... and then, each day one person is highlighted with all of their favorites and today was designated as my day to share!

ChristmasTVHistory.com


Some of the 5 Questions asked were...

Who's your Favorite Santa (from any TV episode, special or movie)?

Do you enjoy watching Christmas entertainment year round?

If you were to be stranded on an island, what three Christmas movies, specials, or episodes would you like to have with you?

... and MORE!!!

Great questions, huh? Check out mine and lots of other great responses at:

ChristmasTVHistory.com!