<![CDATA[ Latest from Next TV in Hallmark-movies ]]> https://www.nexttv.com/tag/hallmark-movies Fri, 19 Mar 2021 20:40:30 +0000 en <![CDATA[ Hallmark Movies: Everything You Need to Know About the Middle-America-targeted Brand's Quest to Take Over Video Streaming ]]> Hallmark Channel has developed an unbeatable formula on the way to becoming the No. 1 cable network for women 25-54. 

As broken down by The New Yorker recently, the winning recipe for Hallmark movies calls for a nine-act screenplay, starting with a “meet-cute” first act, and themed around a single, attractive—but not too young!—woman with an interesting job, such as novelist or chocolatier. 

There is, of course, the attractive male love interest, who can be anything from a fireman to a prince. He will reliably have his first kiss with our protagonist right around Act VII. As The New Yorker notes, the Hallmark Movies audience is decidedly Middle-American and Christian. Recent Hallmark movies stars, however, have included  Holly Robinson Peete and Meghan Markle. The appeal is actually pretty broad, Hallmark reps say.

(Notable: Southern Living has ranked its 20 favorite Hallmark movies of all time here.)

Hallmark movies are frequently themed around holidays like Valentines Day. But Hallmark movies win the ratings war on Christmas. In 2019, the channel and its sister network, Hallmark Movies and Mysteries, produced a 103 original movies, and 40 were themed around Christmas.

Since 2011, parent company Crown Media’s Hallmark Channel has programmed “Countdown to Christmas,” a 24-hour-day, seven-day-week slate of its original Christmas-themed Hallmark movies. As The New Yorker noted, 72 million people watched Countdown to Christmas in 2018. 

After becoming an unstoppable force on cable television, Crown Media wants to establish a beachhead for Hallmark movies in video streaming, too. 

A Very Digital Christmas?

Like a lot of media companies vested in cable, Crown Media dipped its toes into video streaming via the pay TV industry’s TV Everywhere initiative, the clumsily executed attempt to let cable, satellite and telco TV customers port their subscriptions to mobile and OTT devices. Hallmark Channel Everywhere launched in 2014.

In 2018, Crown took the plunge into direct-to-consumer SVOD, debuting Hallmark Movies Now. The service, which boasts more than 1 million subscribers, charges  $5.99 a month for full access to its programming library (including content from Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries and Hallmark Hall of Fame, and original content specifically for digital). There’s currently a one-month free trial period to sample the service. Hallmark movies now supports Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV and Android OTT devices, as well as iPhone/iPad, and Android mobile and tablets. Hallmark Movies Now is also offered to existing multichannel video-programming distributors and is available on YouTube TV.

Additionally, Hallmark has created the Hallmark Movie Checklist app, a mobile guide that allows users to track Hallmark movie premieres, set tune-in reminders, and check off those that have been watched. The app has generated nearly 2 million downloads since its launch in 2018. 

“For a long time, a key component of our digital strategy has involved developing ways we can deepen our viewers’ engagement with our linear channels and enhance their overall experience with our brand and programming,” Vicary said. “These tactics include digital content extensions, games, and contests, and the Hallmark Movie Checklist app. In the near future, you will see us reinventing that experience to capture all our TV assets, including programming from our other two linear channels, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries and Hallmark Drama.

“Obviously, there are a lot of viewers who turn to Hallmark Movies Now because they have cut the cord and don’t have access to Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, and Hallmark Drama,” Vicary added. “But many of the service’s subscribers have also maintained their traditional cable subscriptions, so we purposefully market our SVOD platform as additive to our linear channels, not just as an alternative.  We also put a lot of care into curating distinct content experiences across all our services – linear and digital. In this way, each platform features an entirely unique programing lineup.”

Scandal Comes to Hallmark Movies

While Crown aims to keep its Hallmark movies brand decidedly apolitical and non-controversial, 2019 was a challenging year for the company.

First Lori Loughlin, Hallmark movies’ signature star, was unceremoniously axed after her starring role in the real-life “Varsity Blues” college admissions scandal. 

Then, in December, Crown caught flack for removing ads on its cable networks for wedding planning site Zola, which featured images of gay nuptials. Crown Media reversed that decision. And in January, Bill Abbott, who had led the company for 11 years as CEO, ankled. 

In the multi-act feel-good screenplay that is the Hallmark movies brand, both scandals will be merely a footnote to a history that spans all the way back to 1910,
when Hallmark launched as the manufacturer of greeting cards. 

Ultimately, the line was expanded to party goods, gift wrap and stationery, among other products, across its growing line of retail stores. And the brand, which was themed to families, joined the media world, first as the sponsor for 1940s dramatic anthology Radio Reader’s Digest, and then as Hallmark’s Playhouse, which debuted on CBS Radio in 1948.

Early Television Origins

In 1951, the Hallmark brand premiered on NBC as Hallmark Television Playhouse with an airing of the opera Amahl and the Night Visitors. One year later, also on NBC, was a series of live plays packaged in The Hallmark Summer Theater. In 1953, there was a new name, Hallmark Hall of Fame, which was used to promote the Hallmark products to the public through its family friendly storytelling. Through 1978, Hallmark was a staple on NBC as a periodic arena for television movies and specials.

In 1979, Hallmark Hall of Fame moved to CBS, where it remained through 1989 (excluding a brief run on PBS in 1981). ABC became the home for Hallmark Hall of Fame from 1989 to 1994, followed by 16 additional seasons on CBS (1994 to 2011), and a brief return on ABC. By September 2014, The Hallmark Channel became its exclusive home.

The Hallmark Channel

The origins of The Hallmark Channel began as Vision Interfaith Satellite Network (VISN), a cable channel launched in 1988 by the National Interfaith Cable Coalition. That group included 65 different religious groups.

In October 1992, VISN merged with the American Christian Television Service (ACTS), and was renamed VISN/ACTS. In 1994, it became the Faith & Values Channel (also featuring all religious-themed programming). And in 1996, the name was changed again to the Odyssey Channel. By then, the programming became more mass appeal in courtesy of the off-network syndication acquisitions of series like dramas Father Murphy and Our House, and nostalgic comedy Brooklyn Bridge.

In 2000, Crown Media Holdings, Inc. was formed when Hallmark Entertainment, Chase Equity Associates, Liberty Media, and the National Interfaith Cable Coalition transferred their 77.5% total interest in the Odyssey Network into Crown Media Holdings. And, in 2001, the name Odyssey Channel was changed to Hallmark Channel. The emphasis was on family friendly programming in the vein of Touched By an Angel and Hallmark Hall of Fame, among other repeat options, and miniseries The Infinite Worlds of H.G. Wells, which was the first original programming venue following the rebranding.

]]> https://www.nexttv.com/news/hallmark-movies-everything-need-know-crown-media-streaming SQRPzMuuzgcrhNgt4kUFLG Fri, 19 Mar 2021 20:40:30 +0000 Fri, 26 Mar 2021 23:25:21 +0000 false false false

Hallmark Channel has developed an unbeatable formula on the way to becoming the No. 1 cable network for women 25-54. 

As broken down by The New Yorker recently, the winning recipe for Hallmark movies calls for a nine-act screenplay, starting with a “meet-cute” first act, and themed around a single, attractive—but not too young!—woman with an interesting job, such as novelist or chocolatier. 

There is, of course, the attractive male love interest, who can be anything from a fireman to a prince. He will reliably have his first kiss with our protagonist right around Act VII. As The New Yorker notes, the Hallmark Movies audience is decidedly Middle-American and Christian. Recent Hallmark movies stars, however, have included  Holly Robinson Peete and Meghan Markle. The appeal is actually pretty broad, Hallmark reps say.

(Notable: Southern Living has ranked its 20 favorite Hallmark movies of all time here.)

Hallmark movies are frequently themed around holidays like Valentines Day. But Hallmark movies win the ratings war on Christmas. In 2019, the channel and its sister network, Hallmark Movies and Mysteries, produced a 103 original movies, and 40 were themed around Christmas.

Since 2011, parent company Crown Media’s Hallmark Channel has programmed “Countdown to Christmas,” a 24-hour-day, seven-day-week slate of its original Christmas-themed Hallmark movies. As The New Yorker noted, 72 million people watched Countdown to Christmas in 2018. 

After becoming an unstoppable force on cable television, Crown Media wants to establish a beachhead for Hallmark movies in video streaming, too. 

A Very Digital Christmas?

Like a lot of media companies vested in cable, Crown Media dipped its toes into video streaming via the pay TV industry’s TV Everywhere initiative, the clumsily executed attempt to let cable, satellite and telco TV customers port their subscriptions to mobile and OTT devices. Hallmark Channel Everywhere launched in 2014.

In 2018, Crown took the plunge into direct-to-consumer SVOD, debuting Hallmark Movies Now. The service, which boasts more than 1 million subscribers, charges  $5.99 a month for full access to its programming library (including content from Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries and Hallmark Hall of Fame, and original content specifically for digital). There’s currently a one-month free trial period to sample the service. Hallmark movies now supports Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV and Android OTT devices, as well as iPhone/iPad, and Android mobile and tablets. Hallmark Movies Now is also offered to existing multichannel video-programming distributors and is available on YouTube TV.

Additionally, Hallmark has created the Hallmark Movie Checklist app, a mobile guide that allows users to track Hallmark movie premieres, set tune-in reminders, and check off those that have been watched. The app has generated nearly 2 million downloads since its launch in 2018. 

“For a long time, a key component of our digital strategy has involved developing ways we can deepen our viewers’ engagement with our linear channels and enhance their overall experience with our brand and programming,” Vicary said. “These tactics include digital content extensions, games, and contests, and the Hallmark Movie Checklist app. In the near future, you will see us reinventing that experience to capture all our TV assets, including programming from our other two linear channels, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries and Hallmark Drama.

“Obviously, there are a lot of viewers who turn to Hallmark Movies Now because they have cut the cord and don’t have access to Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, and Hallmark Drama,” Vicary added. “But many of the service’s subscribers have also maintained their traditional cable subscriptions, so we purposefully market our SVOD platform as additive to our linear channels, not just as an alternative.  We also put a lot of care into curating distinct content experiences across all our services – linear and digital. In this way, each platform features an entirely unique programing lineup.”

Scandal Comes to Hallmark Movies

While Crown aims to keep its Hallmark movies brand decidedly apolitical and non-controversial, 2019 was a challenging year for the company.

First Lori Loughlin, Hallmark movies’ signature star, was unceremoniously axed after her starring role in the real-life “Varsity Blues” college admissions scandal. 

Then, in December, Crown caught flack for removing ads on its cable networks for wedding planning site Zola, which featured images of gay nuptials. Crown Media reversed that decision. And in January, Bill Abbott, who had led the company for 11 years as CEO, ankled. 

In the multi-act feel-good screenplay that is the Hallmark movies brand, both scandals will be merely a footnote to a history that spans all the way back to 1910,
when Hallmark launched as the manufacturer of greeting cards. 

Ultimately, the line was expanded to party goods, gift wrap and stationery, among other products, across its growing line of retail stores. And the brand, which was themed to families, joined the media world, first as the sponsor for 1940s dramatic anthology Radio Reader’s Digest, and then as Hallmark’s Playhouse, which debuted on CBS Radio in 1948.

Early Television Origins

In 1951, the Hallmark brand premiered on NBC as Hallmark Television Playhouse with an airing of the opera Amahl and the Night Visitors. One year later, also on NBC, was a series of live plays packaged in The Hallmark Summer Theater. In 1953, there was a new name, Hallmark Hall of Fame, which was used to promote the Hallmark products to the public through its family friendly storytelling. Through 1978, Hallmark was a staple on NBC as a periodic arena for television movies and specials.

In 1979, Hallmark Hall of Fame moved to CBS, where it remained through 1989 (excluding a brief run on PBS in 1981). ABC became the home for Hallmark Hall of Fame from 1989 to 1994, followed by 16 additional seasons on CBS (1994 to 2011), and a brief return on ABC. By September 2014, The Hallmark Channel became its exclusive home.

The Hallmark Channel

The origins of The Hallmark Channel began as Vision Interfaith Satellite Network (VISN), a cable channel launched in 1988 by the National Interfaith Cable Coalition. That group included 65 different religious groups.

In October 1992, VISN merged with the American Christian Television Service (ACTS), and was renamed VISN/ACTS. In 1994, it became the Faith & Values Channel (also featuring all religious-themed programming). And in 1996, the name was changed again to the Odyssey Channel. By then, the programming became more mass appeal in courtesy of the off-network syndication acquisitions of series like dramas Father Murphy and Our House, and nostalgic comedy Brooklyn Bridge.

In 2000, Crown Media Holdings, Inc. was formed when Hallmark Entertainment, Chase Equity Associates, Liberty Media, and the National Interfaith Cable Coalition transferred their 77.5% total interest in the Odyssey Network into Crown Media Holdings. And, in 2001, the name Odyssey Channel was changed to Hallmark Channel. The emphasis was on family friendly programming in the vein of Touched By an Angel and Hallmark Hall of Fame, among other repeat options, and miniseries The Infinite Worlds of H.G. Wells, which was the first original programming venue following the rebranding.

]]> <![CDATA[ Crown Media Launches Hallmark’s First AVOD Channel on Xumo ]]> Crown Media continues to expand the streaming reach of its wildly popular Hallmark brand, announcing a deal to put a free-to-consumer Hallmark channel on the ad-supported video-on-demand platform Xumo.

The so-called "Hallmark Movies & More" channel represents Crown Media’s first AVOD partnership. The channel will offer a “curated sampling of original content” from the Hallmark library of holiday- and romance-themed movies and specials. 

Also read: Hallmark Movies: Everything You Need to Know About the Middle-America-targeted Brand's Quest to Take Over Video Streaming

Quietly launched in November, Hallmark Movies & More has featured Crown titles including For Love and Honor, starring Rebecca Liddiard, James Denton and Natalie Brown; Once Upon a Winter’s Date, headlined by Nicky Whelan, Greg Vaughan Marina Sirtis; and Pumpkin Pie Wars, starring Eric Aragon and Julie Gonzalo.

Hallmark announced last month that it’s subscription video-on-demand play, Hallmark Movies Now, surpassed 1 million users. 

Also read: Hallmark Movies Now Surpasses 1 Million Subscribers

Xumo said in October that it’s been averaging around 24 million active users since January, making it one of the more widely distributed AVOD platforms. 

“In partnering with Xumo, we are creating yet another access point for new audiences to discover, sample, and enjoy our signature brand of feel-good programming,” said Erin McIlvain, executive VP of content strategy & distribution for Crown Media Family Networks. “Our foray into the AVOD space is an important step in our ongoing mission to maximize distribution of our content and attract new fans to our flagship linear channels and digital services.”

Added Stefan Van Engen, senior VP of programming and partnerships at Xumo: “Crown Media’s Hallmark brand is synonymous with tremendous quality, and will add greatly to our line-up of family-friendly providers. Hallmark Movies & More is bringing high caliber, flagship programming to millions of Xumo viewers who can now enjoy its library of fan favorites across our entire distribution network, which kicks off with the popular, upcoming holiday season.”

]]> https://www.nexttv.com/news/crown-media-launches-hallmarks-first-avod-channel-on-xumo 3tamhbXkYFt4DoGngU5z6e Tue, 08 Dec 2020 03:46:15 +0000 Fri, 26 Mar 2021 23:19:14 +0000 false false false

Crown Media continues to expand the streaming reach of its wildly popular Hallmark brand, announcing a deal to put a free-to-consumer Hallmark channel on the ad-supported video-on-demand platform Xumo.

The so-called "Hallmark Movies & More" channel represents Crown Media’s first AVOD partnership. The channel will offer a “curated sampling of original content” from the Hallmark library of holiday- and romance-themed movies and specials. 

Also read: Hallmark Movies: Everything You Need to Know About the Middle-America-targeted Brand's Quest to Take Over Video Streaming

Quietly launched in November, Hallmark Movies & More has featured Crown titles including For Love and Honor, starring Rebecca Liddiard, James Denton and Natalie Brown; Once Upon a Winter’s Date, headlined by Nicky Whelan, Greg Vaughan Marina Sirtis; and Pumpkin Pie Wars, starring Eric Aragon and Julie Gonzalo.

Hallmark announced last month that it’s subscription video-on-demand play, Hallmark Movies Now, surpassed 1 million users. 

Also read: Hallmark Movies Now Surpasses 1 Million Subscribers

Xumo said in October that it’s been averaging around 24 million active users since January, making it one of the more widely distributed AVOD platforms. 

“In partnering with Xumo, we are creating yet another access point for new audiences to discover, sample, and enjoy our signature brand of feel-good programming,” said Erin McIlvain, executive VP of content strategy & distribution for Crown Media Family Networks. “Our foray into the AVOD space is an important step in our ongoing mission to maximize distribution of our content and attract new fans to our flagship linear channels and digital services.”

Added Stefan Van Engen, senior VP of programming and partnerships at Xumo: “Crown Media’s Hallmark brand is synonymous with tremendous quality, and will add greatly to our line-up of family-friendly providers. Hallmark Movies & More is bringing high caliber, flagship programming to millions of Xumo viewers who can now enjoy its library of fan favorites across our entire distribution network, which kicks off with the popular, upcoming holiday season.”

]]> <![CDATA[ Hallmark Movies Now Surpasses 1 Million Subscribers ]]> Crown Media announced Monday that its three-year-old SVOD service, Hallmark Movies Now, has surpassed 1 million paid subscribers. 

Hallmark Movies Now charges subscribers $5.99 a month for full access to the programing libraries of Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries and Hallmark Hall of Fame, plus some original content. 

Also Read: Hallmark Movies: Everything You Need to Know About the Middle-America-targeted Brand's Quest to Take Over Video Streaming

Crown credits its annual “Movies & Mistletoe” programming event for driving subscription streaming signups. Each week starting in late October through the New Year, the platform posts a refreshed offering of movies from Crown Media’s large library of holiday programming, featuring more than 80 holiday-themed films. 

Crown Media said that since the 2020 iteration of “Movies & Mistletoe” launched Oct. 23, Hallmark Movies Now app installs have increased by 128%.

Holy Emotional Blood Sugar Spikes, Batman

When “Movies & Mistletoe” wraps up at the end of next month, Hallmark Movies Now will launch season seven of popular Hallmark Movies original series When Calls the Heart, dropping episodes weekly up until the linear Hallmark Channel launches season eight of the show in February. 

Hallmark Movies Now will drop the first three episodes of When Calls the Heart on New Year’s Day, with the remaining seven episodes rolling out one at a time each Friday thereafter. Also the day after Christmas, subscribers can stream the 2019 holiday-themed special episode When Calls the Heart: Home for Christmas. 

Also Read: Hallmark Movies Now Launched On YouTube TV

Hallmark Movies Now is supported by Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV, as well as through pay TV wholesale agreements with Comcast, AT&T, Dish Network, Cox Communications and Frontier. 

Notably, Crown Media doesn't list Chromecast or Android TV as among the supported platforms. But last week, Crown did announce that Google’s YouTube TV is also now distributing the service. 

]]> https://www.nexttv.com/news/hallmark-movies-now-surpasses-1-million-subscribers NEUgZXQx5AqfKi3Nzt3MpK Mon, 23 Nov 2020 20:05:05 +0000 Fri, 26 Mar 2021 23:15:33 +0000 false false false

Crown Media announced Monday that its three-year-old SVOD service, Hallmark Movies Now, has surpassed 1 million paid subscribers. 

Hallmark Movies Now charges subscribers $5.99 a month for full access to the programing libraries of Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries and Hallmark Hall of Fame, plus some original content. 

Also Read: Hallmark Movies: Everything You Need to Know About the Middle-America-targeted Brand's Quest to Take Over Video Streaming

Crown credits its annual “Movies & Mistletoe” programming event for driving subscription streaming signups. Each week starting in late October through the New Year, the platform posts a refreshed offering of movies from Crown Media’s large library of holiday programming, featuring more than 80 holiday-themed films. 

Crown Media said that since the 2020 iteration of “Movies & Mistletoe” launched Oct. 23, Hallmark Movies Now app installs have increased by 128%.

Holy Emotional Blood Sugar Spikes, Batman

When “Movies & Mistletoe” wraps up at the end of next month, Hallmark Movies Now will launch season seven of popular Hallmark Movies original series When Calls the Heart, dropping episodes weekly up until the linear Hallmark Channel launches season eight of the show in February. 

Hallmark Movies Now will drop the first three episodes of When Calls the Heart on New Year’s Day, with the remaining seven episodes rolling out one at a time each Friday thereafter. Also the day after Christmas, subscribers can stream the 2019 holiday-themed special episode When Calls the Heart: Home for Christmas. 

Also Read: Hallmark Movies Now Launched On YouTube TV

Hallmark Movies Now is supported by Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV, as well as through pay TV wholesale agreements with Comcast, AT&T, Dish Network, Cox Communications and Frontier. 

Notably, Crown Media doesn't list Chromecast or Android TV as among the supported platforms. But last week, Crown did announce that Google’s YouTube TV is also now distributing the service. 

]]> <![CDATA[ Hallmark Hall Of Fame Films To Move To Hallmark Channel ]]>

It's not exactly on the level of cable's siphoning of big-ticket sports, but premieres of Hallmark Hall of Fame specials are moving from broadcast to cable. The series of family-friendly films will leave ABC and debut on Hallmark Channel in 2014-15.

The series has been a broadcast TV staple for more than 60 years, starting with Amahl and the Night Visitors in 1951, and for kids proved something of a gilt-edged guarantee of being able to stay up late on a schoolnight.

The Hallmark Hall of Fame movies have aired on ABC for the past three years, but will now debut on Hallmark Channel along with multiple encores. The first movie in the new arrangement will be One Christmas Eve, starring Anne Heche. Hallmark Channel will air as many as four original Hallmark Hall Of Fame movies as year, and the network will have access to past movies from the HHOF library, Michelle Vicary, executive vice president of programming for Hallmark told Multichannel News.

“Over the past three years the Hallmark Hall of Fame has had higher total viewership via ABC and Hallmark Channel than in any three-year period in the past decade,” said Brad Moore, president of Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions in a statement. “We’ve enjoyed the success and our working relationships with both ABC and Hallmark Channel."

Bill Abbott, President and CEO, Crown Media Family Networks, added that, “Hallmark Hall of Fame is the longest running and most beloved drama franchise in television history. Adding these premieres to the network’s lineup brings great value to our viewers and further reinforces Crown Media’s position as the leader in high-quality original family entertainment.”

]]> https://www.nexttv.com/news/halmmark-hall-fame-films-move-hallmark-channel-383801 hzoWyFWHq2XJqZNyZyhfzd Fri, 12 Sep 2014 19:30:00 +0000 false false false

It's not exactly on the level of cable's siphoning of big-ticket sports, but premieres of Hallmark Hall of Fame specials are moving from broadcast to cable. The series of family-friendly films will leave ABC and debut on Hallmark Channel in 2014-15.

The series has been a broadcast TV staple for more than 60 years, starting with Amahl and the Night Visitors in 1951, and for kids proved something of a gilt-edged guarantee of being able to stay up late on a schoolnight.

The Hallmark Hall of Fame movies have aired on ABC for the past three years, but will now debut on Hallmark Channel along with multiple encores. The first movie in the new arrangement will be One Christmas Eve, starring Anne Heche. Hallmark Channel will air as many as four original Hallmark Hall Of Fame movies as year, and the network will have access to past movies from the HHOF library, Michelle Vicary, executive vice president of programming for Hallmark told Multichannel News.

“Over the past three years the Hallmark Hall of Fame has had higher total viewership via ABC and Hallmark Channel than in any three-year period in the past decade,” said Brad Moore, president of Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions in a statement. “We’ve enjoyed the success and our working relationships with both ABC and Hallmark Channel."

Bill Abbott, President and CEO, Crown Media Family Networks, added that, “Hallmark Hall of Fame is the longest running and most beloved drama franchise in television history. Adding these premieres to the network’s lineup brings great value to our viewers and further reinforces Crown Media’s position as the leader in high-quality original family entertainment.”

]]>