Hallmark Channel
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| Hallmark Channel | |
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| Hallmark Channel Logo | |
| Launched | August 5, 2001 (as Hallmark Channel) |
| Owned by | Crown Media Holdings(Hallmark cards/Discovery Communications) |
| Headquarters | Studio City, California, U.S. |
| Website | Hallmark Channel |
| Availability | |
| Satellite | |
| DirecTV | Channel 312 |
| Dish Network | Channel 185 |
| Cable | |
| Available on most cable systems | Check Local Listings for channels |
The Hallmark Channel is a cable television network that broadcasts across the United States. They specialize in re-broadcasting classic syndicated series and television movies that are appropriate for the whole family. It is owned by Crown Media Holdings, in turn majority-owned by Hallmark Cards.
Contents |
[edit] History
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In 1991, after some financial problems one single ecumenical group took over two networks: VISN (the Vision Interfaith Satellite Network) and ACTS (American Christian Television Station). They merged the two channels' programming lineup in to one and ran under the name VISN/ACTS. In 1993, the network was renamed The Faith and Values Channel. It continued to broadcast religious programming until 1994, when a few secular shows were added, such as exercise shows, health and cooking shows, and family-friendly dramas and movies. More secular programming was added in 1996. At that time religious programming went down to about 10 hours a day. Faith And Values was then renamed the Odyssey Channel, using the domain name Odysseyfamily.com for posting TV listings.
Crown Media Holdings and The Jim Henson Company bought stakes in Odyssey Channel in November 1998. At that point religious programs went down to four hours a day. Some classic sitcoms, children's programming like The Muppet Show, and more family movies were added. Henson sold its interest in the channel to Crown Media Holdings in 2000. Odyssey then dropped much of the children's programming and cut back the religious shows to a few hours on Sundays.
The channel was officially renamed The Hallmark Channel on August 5, 2001.[1] The channel continued to focus on family and drama shows, drama movies, classic sitcoms, and other general entertainment. More recent sitcoms and dramas were eventually added.
[edit] Company milestones
In October 2006, Henry Schleiff was appointed the new CEO, overseeing all of the networks’ divisions.[2] Prior to this position, Schleiff was Chairman and CEO of Court TV.[3] On May 6, 2009, he stepped down as CEO. William J. Abbott, Executive Vice President of Advertising Sales stepped in to the position the same day. Both parties said Schleiff's departure was amicable.[4] It was announced in May of 2009 that the Crown Media Holdings had put the channel up for sale, who was burdened with over $1 billion in debt for the network. After over a month with no prospects for buying the network, it was taken off the block, blaming the large debt load for the lack of interest. Crown Media decided that it would take the network in a younger, "lighter" direction, while continuing to cater to baby boomers. [5]
In January 2007, Hallmark Channel dropped the Hallmark crown from its logo, but still uses it in certain places on-air, and in other countries. On May 27, 2007, Hallmark Channel launched “Watch With Me,” a new national public affairs initiative aimed to promote programming for families to watch together, and "to spend more time together."[1]
In 2008, Hallmark Channel unveiled a new branding campaign with predominantly gold coloring, a stylized logo, and a new slogan: "Make Yourself At Home".
In February 2008, the Hillary Clinton campaign purchased an hour of Hallmark Channel's primetime under a paid programming arrangement on February 4, 2008, the day before the multi-state "Super Tuesday (2008)" primaries. [6]
[edit] Programming
Hallmark Channel airs syndicated series, original movies, and past segments from their parent company's Hallmark Hall of Fame anthology series, which features made-for-television movies and miniseries, most of them from the series' CBS run.
[edit] Series
See: List of Programs broadcasting currently
The channel is currently showing these syndicated series:
- 7th Heaven
- Cheers
- The Golden Girls
- I Love Lucy
- Little House on the Prairie
- M*A*S*H
- Touched by an Angel
The channel retains rights to air Murder, She Wrote and Matlock, but does not air them currently. A variety of other shows, such as JAG, Judging Amy, Perry Mason, Hogan's Heroes, and Walker, Texas Ranger have shown on Hallmark Channel, but the network no longer holds the rights to air them.
[edit] Original movies
The network's made-for-TV movies are characterized as family-friendly and inspirational, ranging from holiday-themed films to westerns. In the early stages of the channel's development, the channel had a steady one-movie-a-month, or 12-a-year, production schedule and were mainly produced by RHI Entertainment. However, in 2008 the company had ramped up their production schedule to approximately 30 movies a year and opened up to other production companies.[7] In March 2009 the network unveiled an aggressive programming slate of 35 original movies for the 2009-2010 upfront season, marking the most ambitious line-up in the network’s history.[1]
See: List of Hallmark Channel Original Films
[edit] New Morning
Hallmark Channel aired an original weekday morning show entitled "New Morning" in 2002 and added a Sunday morning version, hosted by Naomi Judd, entitled "Naomi's New Morning" in 2005. The show was pulled from the schedule in early 2007.
[edit] Hallmark Heroes
On December 11, 2007 Hallmark Channel announced that it will launch “Hallmark Heroes with Regis Philbin,” a mini-series/special that recognizes ordinary Americans who make contributions to their communities and change the lives of others.[1] The two on-air specials were hosted by Regis Philbin, and the first installment aired on Christmas Day 2008.[8] In the second edition, Philbin and Hallmark Channel honored Jane Seymour, who was recognized for her extensive work on behalf of the American Red Cross and their Measles Initiative.[9]
[edit] Holiday seasons
Home for the Holidays, Hallmark Channel's annual event highlighting the winter holidays, begins the day after Thanksgiving. During this time the channel airs holiday films, made-for-TV movies, and original Christmas movies, as well as changing the overall look of the channel to fit the holiday season.
Similarly, during February the network features Whole Lotta' Love Month with romantic movies, also changing the look of the channel graphically with a valentine heart theme.[10]
[edit] Consumer website
On November 19, 2007 the network refreshed its consumer website, www.hallmarkchannel.com, offering users microsites dedicated to original programming and marketing initiatives[1], such as sweepstakes and special 'events' like "Crime Time Sunday"[11]. Some of the microsites have games centered around the movie's theme.[12]
They also began to stream their award-winning original series, "Adoption"[13], marking the first time the network has scheduled a full-length program online.[1]
[edit] On Location
On July 21, 2008 the website launched its original online series called "On Location" that features an on-camera host who introduces interviews and behind-the-scenes footage from the filming of Hallmark Channel's original movies. The segments are featured on each movies' individual microsite.[1] The series had a soft launch in July 2007 with the title "Inside Story" and a different host for Avenging Angel,[14] Charlie & Me,[15] The Good Witch,[16] Daniel's Daughter,[17] and The Note.[18]
In 2009, the online show was revamped again, removing the on-camera host altogether. Love Takes Wing is the last title featured in an "On Location" with an on-camera host. All titles following do not have an on-camera host.[19]
[edit] Online Shop
On January 29, 2009 the company announced the development of an online movie shop at both www.hallmarkchannel.com and www.hallmarkmoviechannel.com featuring DVD movies and movie-related products from its library.[20] The shop is powered by the Amazon Associates program. Since its soft launch in mid-2008, Hallmark Channel has already generated sales of over 10,000 items. The network earns a commission on each sale.[21]
[edit] Hallmark Channel around the world
The name Hallmark is also used for various cable channels worldwide. Hallmark Channel across the country is owned by NBC Universal and is run by different entities that have access to the Hallmark name and brand. They also have different programming and standards than Hallmark Channel USA.
[edit] See also
- Hallmark Movie Channel
- List of programs broadcast by Hallmark Channel
- List of Hallmark Channel Original Films
- Hallmark Hall of Fame
- Hallmark Channel Mystery Wheel
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e f g Hallmark Channel Press site: Company Milestones
- ^ Hallmark Channel Press site: Bio Page
- ^ Unicef contributor's profile
- ^ "Crown Media Holdings President and CEO Henry Schleiff To Leave Hallmark Channel". Hallmark Channel Press Site. 5-6-09. http://www.hallmarkchannelpress.com/publish/pr/home/corporate/press_releases_1/press_release_050609.html.
- ^ http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/295389-Hallmark_Change_Is_in_the_Cards.php
- ^ Clinton Buys Block on Hallmark Mediaweek 2008-01-31
- ^ Hallmark Channel Press Release: 7/12/2007
- ^ Hallmark Heroes Microsite
- ^ Hallmark Channel: About Us/Specials Section, acquired 2/9/2009
- ^ Whole Lotta Love Month microsite
- ^ Crime Time Sunday Microsite
- ^ Hallmark Channel Press Release 1/28/09
- ^ Adoption Microsite
- ^ Avenging Angel Microsite
- ^ Charlie & Me Microsite
- ^ The Good Witch Microsite
- ^ Daniel's Daughter Microsite
- ^ The Note Microsite
- ^ Love Takes Wing Microsite
- ^ Hallmark Channel Online Shop
- ^ Hallmark Channel Press Release 1/29/09
[edit] External links
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