NBCUniversal's Peacock announced an unusual deal with Hallmark Media under which Peacock will stream Hallmark’s linear channels and offer its content on demand.

Beginning Wednesday, Peacock’s homepage will include a dedicated hub where viewers can find Hallmark’s offerings.

The hub will feature live simulcasts of Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries and Hallmark Drama, making Peacock into a mini multichannel video programming distributor.

"As we continue to make Peacock a premium streaming destination, Hallmark is exactly the type of brand we want to align with," Kelly Campbell, NBCUniversal president of Peacock, and direct-to-consumer, said. "Through this groundbreaking partnership, we're giving Hallmark viewers a unique viewing experience while continuing to grow our audience, boosting engagement across both brands."

In addition to the live Hallmark channels, Peacock subscribers have on-demand live and next-day access to Hallmark movies and series, including When Calls the Heart.

Classic Hallmark holiday movies will also be available via Peacock.

NBCUniversal said Peacock now has about 15 million subscribers. In the third quarter, the service lost $614 million on revenue of $5.6 million. NBCU has been moving next-day availability of programming from NBC and the company's cable channels, including Bravo, to Peacock this year with the expiration of a distribution agreement with Hulu. NBCU owns a minority stake in Hulu, which is controlled by The Walt Disney Co.

As an independent, Hallmark faces headwinds in streaming. The Hallmark Channels are already available to stream over outlets including YouTube TV and FrndlyTV. Frndly TV also offers its subscribers Hallmark's VOD service Hallmark Movies Now as an add-on.

Hallmark also launched an AVOD channel on Xumo in 2020.

"We're proud to enter this partnership with Peacock and bring our widely beloved Hallmark content to their subscribers," Hallmark Media president and CEO Wonya Lucas said. "The opportunity to provide our devoted fanbase access to all three of Hallmark’s linear networks will allow our audience to continue to grow and connect in meaningful ways." ■

Santa Claus was very good to Hallmark Channel, NBC, Freeform and others who aired holiday programming during the Christmas season.

While linear television overall found coal in its stocking — except for football, of course — ad revenues for holiday programming rose 2% to $531 million, according to an analysis by Standard Media Index. Revenues were up 3% compared to 2019.

More networks jumped into Christmas-movie mode — notably GAC Family, run by former Hallmark Channel head Bill Abbott — putting visions of sugar plums in the eyes and wallets of media buyers.

“Holiday programming remains a touchpoint that advertisers want to be a part of,” SMI advertising insights director Nicole McCurnin said. “During the 2020 holiday season, folks were even more cooped up than they were this past year. Running in these nostalgic type programs does build goodwill for brands.”

Also: Retailers Were Big Advertisers Over Holiday Season: Samba TV

McCurnin noted that overall, the fourth quarter is an important time of year for ad spending, but total linear ad spending was down 3% in December. “You can obviously say that the holiday-specific programming outperformed,” she said.

SMI’s data covers linear national advertising. While ad-supported streaming services also ran a significant amount of holiday programming, SMI gets its spending data from ad agency traffic computers and ad buyers do not get complete information about the shows from streaming and digital video outlets where specific ads appear. So, good data on streaming ad revenue isn’t available.

Crown Media’s Hallmark Channel, which has been pursuing a holiday-oriented programming strategy for years, was tops in generating ad revenue from Christmas movies and other holiday programming.

Hallmark Channel holiday programming revenue was $147.8 million for November and December, up by 1% to a three-year peak. It has a 28% share of holiday programming revenue, even with last year. Top titles were Next Stop, Christmas, which brought in $4.4 million in ad spending; and Open by Christmas and A Christmas Treasure, each garnering $3.2 million.

Hallmark also generates incremental revenue with its “Christmas in July” stunt, McCurnin noted. That’s something other networks don’t and probably couldn’t pull it off. “Hallmark is really tapping into that brand equity and owning the holiday year-round,” she said.

Crown Media’s Hallmark Movies & Mysteries had the fifth-most ad revenue from holiday programming with $48.9 million, up 11%.

Viewers Loved a Parade

NBC had the biggest single holiday telecast with its broadcast of the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which raked in $54 million. Thirty-second commercials during the parade sold for an average of $540,000, up from $475,000 in 2020.

Overall, NBC generated $89.4 million in holiday programming ad revenue, up 19% from 2020. Its annual Christmas in Rockefeller Center special drew $11 million and the holiday staple It’s a Wonderful Life brought in $4.7 million.

The Walt Disney Co’.s Freeform was third with $76.9 million in revenue in holiday programming, up 4%.

Freeform runs its annual “25 Days of Christmas” stunt, but not every program that appeared as part of 25 Days was counted as holiday programming by SMI. SMI didn’t include Toy Story revenue in its calculations. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York and Home Alone were Freeform’s top performers. (While many consider Die Hard a Christmas movie, SMI said it didn't appear on ad-supported linear TV in November or December.)

Among other networks generating significant revenue from holiday programming were Lifetime, with $55.6 million in ad revenues, down 19% from 2020; ABC, with $41.8 million, down 1%. AMC m with $31.4 million, down 32%, CBS (which reentered the original holiday movie fray with A Christmas Proposal) at $19.2 million, up 55% and TBS, home of the A Christmas Story marathon, with $14.2 million, up 84%.

Newcomer GAC Family generated $2.2 million in ad revenue from its holiday programming. Worth noting: GAC announced its holiday programming plans after the upfront, missing a lot of potential ad dollars. ■ 

Streaming service Philo will continue to offer Hallmark Channel to its subscribers as part of a carriage agreement renewal reached with Crown Media Family Networks.

The multi-year partnership deal also includes carriage of Hallmark Movies & Mysteries and Hallmark Drama, according  to both parties. The agreement follows on the heels of a recently announced Crown Media renewal deal with NCTC.  

“Our movies are currently leading Philo’s viewership charts, so we know there is great demand on the service for our content,” said Crown Media President & CEO, Wonya Lucas in a statement. “With this renewal agreement, we look forward to continuing to entertain Philo subscribers and bringing them more of the positive, feel-good Hallmark programming they know and love.”

Also: Lisa Hamilton Daly Wraps Up Hallmark Channel's Programming Gifts to Viewers

The deal keeps Hallmark's current holiday movies schedule in front of Philo.  Hallmark movies have become the most-watched on the platform for the month-to-date, according Philo COO and Head of Content and Distribution Mike Keyserling. 

“Philo viewers are huge fans of Hallmark holiday programming, so we are thrilled to extend our partnership with the Crown Media Family Networks to continue to offer their content to our community,” he said. “With family-friendly entertainment and 41 original movies this season, Hallmark is clearly synonymous with the holidays on our platform and beyond.” ■ 

Also: Philo to Carry Former Hallmark Head Bill Abbot's GAC Family, GAC Living

Development executives Jennifer Kramer and Heather Overton have been named VP of development for Crown Media Family Networks, specializing in the holiday movies that have scored big ratings for both Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, whose respective Christmas-themed holiday movie marathons began before Halloween.

Kramer and Overton are based in Hallmark’s Studio City, California, offices, reporting to senior VP, development Samantha DiPippo.

The promotions come as Crown restructures its programming department and looks to branch out into new on-brand genres. The new structure will put physical production under Randy Pope, senior VP of programming and development; scheduling under Darren Melameth, senior VP, programming and content strategy; and will organize content development according to four areas: holiday movies under DiPippo; non-holiday movies under Elizabeth Yost, senior VP, development; series and specials headed by Laurie Ferneau, senior VP, development; and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Mahogany under Toni Judkins, SVP, programming development. (Mahogany is Hallmark’s greeting-card line brand targeted to Black consumers.)

“Our volume and range of content has grown exponentially over the past several years, and reorganizing the structure of our team is essential to streamlining the development and production process,” executive VP of programming Lisa Hamilton Daly said. “It enables us to create more of the programming that resonates so deeply with our viewers, while also branching out into new genres that align with and bring the Hallmark brand to life in new ways.”

Crown Media has struck a deal with YouTube TV to launch its suite of networks on the streaming service.

YouTube TV already streams the company's VOD offering, Hallmark Movies Now, as an option, but it will now offer Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, and Hallmark Drama over the top.

The move comes as Hallmark continues to score with its Countdown to Christmas marathon that began even before Halloween.

“Our content, rooted in celebration, joy, optimism, and human connection, has never been more in demand, and we are confident the addition of Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, and Hallmark Drama adds tremendous value to YouTube TV’s offerings and will be instant favorites among subscribers,” Crown Media president Wonya Lucas said.

“We’re excited to partner with Crown Media Family Networks to deliver all three of Hallmark’s linear channels to our YouTube TV members, including Hallmark Channel,” said Paul Snow, co-head of YouTube TV content partnerships. “We know that our members love this content, and it's the perfect time to introduce these channels to YouTube TV as we head into the holiday season.”

B&C has partnered with always-on TV ad measurement and attribution company iSpot.tv to bring you a weekly chart we call Promo Mojo: exclusive data showing the top five TV promos ranked by ad impressions. Our data covers the 7-day period through Aug. 22.

An AMC promo for the return of The Walking Dead tops our Promo Mojo ranker for the week ended Aug. 22.

Four other cable networks join AMC in crowding traditional broadcasters out of the top five: MTV hypes the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards in second place, HGTV builds excitement for Cheap Old Houses in third, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries promotes Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: Honeymoon, Honeymurder in fourth, and Food Network whets viewers’ appetites for the Kal Penn-hosted Money Hungry in fifth.

Notably, the MTV spot has this week’s highest iSpot Attention Index (108), meaning viewers were on average highly likely to watch it all the way through (vs. interrupting it by changing the channel, pulling up the guide, fast-forwarding or turning off the TV).

1) The Walking Dead, AMC

Impressions: 218,894,864

Interruption Rate: 3.07%

Attention Index: 89 (1q% more interruptions than avg.)

Imp. Types: National 88%, Local 11%, VOD/OTT 1%

In-network Value: $495,015

Out-of-network Est. Spend: $636,900

2)  2021 MTV Video Music Awards, MTV

Impressions: 200,197,954

Interruption Rate: 3.05%

Attention Index: 108 (8% fewer interruptions than avg.)

Imp. Types: National 98%, Local 2%, VOD/OTT 0%

In-network Value: $895,682

Out-of-network Est. Spend: $11,130

3) Cheap Old Houses, HGTV

Impressions: 175,180,680

Interruption Rate: 1.57%

Attention Index: 95 (5% more interruptions than avg.)

Imp. Types: National 99%, Local 0%, VOD/OTT 1%

In-network Value: $621,732

Out-of-network Est. Spend: $0.00

4) Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: Honeymoon, Honeymurder, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries

Impressions: 168,353,186

Interruption Rate: 4.24%

Attention Index: 103 (3% fewer interruptions than avg.)

Imp. Types: National 99%, Local 0%, VOD/OTT 1%

In-network Value: $826,940

Out-of-network Est. Spend: $2,809

5) Money Hungry, Food Network

Impressions: 156,100,867

Interruption Rate: 1.77%

Attention Index: 82 (18% fewer interruptions than avg.)

Imp. Types: National 98%, Local 1%, VOD/OTT 1%

In-network Value: $485,936

Out-of-network Est. Spend: $101,899

*Data provided by iSpot.tv, TV Ad Measurement for Disruptive Brands*

Impressions - The total impressions within all US households including National Linear (Live & Time-shifted), VOD+OTT, and Local.

Attention Score - Measures the propensity of consumers to interrupt an ad play on TV. The higher the score, the more complete views. Actions that interrupt an ad play include changing the channel, pulling up the guide, fast-forwarding or turning off the TV.

Attention Index - Represents the Attention of a specific creative or program placement vs. the average in its respective industry. The average is represented by a score of 100, and the total index range is from 0 through 200. For example, an attention index of 125 means that there are 25% fewer interrupted ad plays compared to the average.

Imp. Types - Impression types tracked include National (Live + Time-shifted), Local, VOD & OTT. See below for further details.

In-network Value - Estimated media value of in-network promos.

Out-of-network Spend - The estimated amount spent on TV airing time for this promo's spots during a given date range.

National: Live - A national promo which was viewed during live linear television broadcast or same day, via DVR or on-demand.

Local - A promo that was aired during a local ad break slot.

VOD - This includes promos that run in on-demand content past three days (i.e. do not contain the linear promo load)

OTT - On-demand streaming content (i.e. Hulu, Roku, Fire TV Stick, Chromecast).

B&C has partnered with always-on TV ad measurement and attribution company iSpot.tv to bring you a weekly chart we call Promo Mojo: exclusive data showing the top five TV promos ranked by ad impressions. Our data covers the 7-day period through July 4.

On the strength of 269.8 million TV ad impressions, an HGTV promo for Celebrity IOU tops our chart. The network also grabs second and fifth to hype, respectively, Good Bones and Christina on the Coast.

Rounding out the ranking: Discovery, setting up Shark Week in third place, and CBS — the only traditional broadcaster to make the top five — giving some love to Love Island in fourth.

Also Read: Summer 2021 TV Premiere Dates

Notably, the Christina on the Coast spot has this week’s highest iSpot Attention Index (119), meaning viewers were on average highly likely to watch it all the way through (vs. interrupting it by changing the channel, pulling up the guide, fast-forwarding or turning off the TV).

1) Celebrity IOU, HGTV

Impressions: 269,843,079

Interruption Rate: 1.41%

Attention Index: 104 (4% fewer interruptions than avg.)

Imp. Types: National 99%, Local 0%, VOD/OTT 1%

In-network Value: $933,448

Out-of-network Est. Spend: $0.00

2) Good Bones, HGTV

Impressions: 232,781,832

Interruption Rate: 1.18%

Attention Index: 117 (17% fewer interruptions than avg.)

Imp. Types: National 99%, Local 0%, VOD/OTT 1%

In-network Value: $741,893

Out-of-network Est. Spend: $0.00

3) Shark Week, Discovery

Impressions: 218,192,284

Interruption Rate: 1.46%

Attention Index: 99 (1% more interruptions than avg.)

Imp. Types: National 98%, Local 1%, VOD/OTT 1%

In-network Value: $860,140

Out-of-network Est. Spend: $218,421

4) Love Island, CBS

Impressions: 206,461,942

Interruption Rate: 2.32%

Attention Index: 76 (24% more interruptions than avg.)

Imp. Types: National 87%, Local 10%, VOD/OTT 3%

In-network Value: $1,044,689

Out-of-network Est. Spend: $0.00

5) Christina on the Coast, HGTV

Impressions: 189,663,359

Interruption Rate: 0.96%

Attention Index: 119 (19% fewer interruptions than avg.)

Imp. Types: National 99%, Local 0%, VOD/OTT 1%

In-network Value: $585,189

Out-of-network Est. Spend: $0.00

*Data provided by iSpot.tv, TV Ad Measurement for Disruptive Brands*

Impressions - The total impressions within all US households including National Linear (Live & Time-shifted), VOD+OTT, and Local.

Attention Score - Measures the propensity of consumers to interrupt an ad play on TV. The higher the score, the more complete views. Actions that interrupt an ad play include changing the channel, pulling up the guide, fast-forwarding or turning off the TV.

Attention Index - Represents the Attention of a specific creative or program placement vs. the average in its respective industry. The average is represented by a score of 100, and the total index range is from 0 through 200. For example, an attention index of 125 means that there are 25% fewer interrupted ad plays compared to the average.

Imp. Types - Impression types tracked include National (Live + Time-shifted), Local, VOD & OTT. See below for further details.

In-network Value - Estimated media value of in-network promos.

Out-of-network Spend - The estimated amount spent on TV airing time for this promo's spots during a given date range.

National: Live - A national promo which was viewed during live linear television broadcast or same day, via DVR or on-demand.

Local - A promo that was aired during a local ad break slot.

VOD - This includes promos that run in on-demand content past three days (i.e. do not contain the linear promo load)

OTT - On-demand streaming content (i.e. Hulu, Roku, Fire TV Stick, Chromecast).

B&C has partnered with always-on TV ad measurement and attribution company iSpot.tv to bring you a weekly chart we call Promo Mojo: exclusive data showing the top five TV promos ranked by ad impressions. Our data covers the 7-day period through June 27.

On the strength of 231.2 million TV ad impressions, NBC’s promo for Peyton Manning-hosted (and Capital One-sponsored) game show College Bowl takes first place.

Hallmark makes a strong showing, with flagship Hallmark Channel giving some love to original romantic movie Sand Dollar Cove in second place, while sister network Hallmark Movies & Mysteries hypes its Christmas in July movie marathon. And HGTV rounds out the list, building excitement for Celebrity IOU in third and Renovation Island in fifth.

Notably, the College Bowl spot has this week’s highest iSpot Attention Index (109), meaning viewers were on average highly likely to watch it all the way through (vs. interrupting it by changing the channel, pulling up the guide, fast-forwarding or turning off the TV).

1) College Bowl, NBC

Impressions: 231,196,133

Interruption Rate: 1.23%

Attention Index: 109 (9% fewer interruptions than avg.)

Imp. Types: National 93%, Local 6%, VOD/OTT 1%

In-network Value: $1,471,598

Out-of-network Est. Spend: $338,436

2) Sand Dollar Cove, Hallmark Channel

Impressions: 204,247,645

Interruption Rate: 4.60%

Attention Index: 105 (5% fewer interruptions than avg.)

Imp. Types: National 99%, Local 0%, VOD/OTT 1%

In-network Value: $893,008

Out-of-network Est. Spend: $0.00

3) Celebrity IOU, HGTV

Impressions: 199,174,110

Interruption Rate: 1.29%

Attention Index: 106 (6% fewer interruptions than avg.)

Imp. Types: National 98%, Local 1%, VOD/OTT 1%

In-network Value: $768,155

Out-of-network Est. Spend: $2,231

4) Christmas in July, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries

Impressions: 191,021,882

Interruption Rate: 5.01%

Attention Index: 108 (8% fewer interruptions than avg.)

Imp. Types: National 100%, Local 0%, VOD/OTT 0%

In-network Value: $613,058

Out-of-network Est. Spend: $0.00

5) Renovation Island, HGTV

Impressions: 189,878,150

Interruption Rate: 1.26%

Attention Index: 108 (8% fewer interruptions than avg.)

Imp. Types: National 100%, Local 0%, VOD/OTT 0%

In-network Value: $708,292

Out-of-network Est. Spend: $0.00

*Data provided by iSpot.tv, TV Ad Measurement for Disruptive Brands*

Impressions - The total impressions within all US households including National Linear (Live & Time-shifted), VOD+OTT, and Local.

Attention Score - Measures the propensity of consumers to interrupt an ad play on TV. The higher the score, the more complete views. Actions that interrupt an ad play include changing the channel, pulling up the guide, fast-forwarding or turning off the TV.

Attention Index - Represents the Attention of a specific creative or program placement vs. the average in its respective industry. The average is represented by a score of 100, and the total index range is from 0 through 200. For example, an attention index of 125 means that there are 25% fewer interrupted ad plays compared to the average.

Imp. Types - Impression types tracked include National (Live + Time-shifted), Local, VOD & OTT. See below for further details.

In-network Value - Estimated media value of in-network promos.

Out-of-network Spend - The estimated amount spent on TV airing time for this promo's spots during a given date range.

National: Live - A national promo which was viewed during live linear television broadcast or same day, via DVR or on-demand.

Local - A promo that was aired during a local ad break slot.

VOD - This includes promos that run in on-demand content past three days (i.e. do not contain the linear promo load)

OTT - On-demand streaming content (i.e. Hulu, Roku, Fire TV Stick, Chromecast).

B&C has partnered with always-on TV ad measurement and attribution company iSpot.tv to bring you a weekly chart we call Promo Mojo: Exclusive data showing the top five TV promos ranked by ad impressions. Our data covers the 7-day period through June 20.

On the strength of 246.3 million TV ad impressions, an HGTV spot for Renovation Island takes first place. The network also grabs fifth place to promote Celebrity IOU.

Meanwhile, Food Network serves up a taste of BBQ Brawl in third and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries hypes To Catch a Spy in fourth.

ABC, the sole traditional broadcaster in our ranking, grabs second place to hype Holey Moley.

Notably, the BBQ Brawl spot has this week’s highest iSpot Attention Index (111), meaning viewers were on average highly likely to watch it all the way through (vs. interrupting it by changing the channel, pulling up the guide, fast-forwarding or turning off the TV).

1) Renovation Island, HGTV

Impressions: 246,295,135

Interruption Rate: 1.10%

Attention Index: 110 (10% fewer interruptions than avg.)

Imp. Types: National 99%, Local 0%, VOD/OTT 1%

In-network Value: $768,303

Out-of-network Est. Spend: $0.00

2) Holey Moley, ABC

Impressions: 210,005,686

Interruption Rate: 2.17%

Attention Index: 74 (26% more interruptions than avg.)

Imp. Types: National 85%, Local 13%, VOD/OTT 2%

In-network Value: $906,493

Out-of-network Est. Spend: $277,497

3) BBQ Brawl, Food Network

Impressions: 183,122,947

Interruption Rate: 1.25%

Attention Index: 111 (11% fewer interruptions than avg.)

Imp. Types: National 99%, Local 0%, VOD/OTT 1%

In-network Value: $616,281

Out-of-network Est. Spend: $0.00

4) To Catch a Spy, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries

Impressions: 183,063,595

Interruption Rate: 4.24%

Attention Index: 99 (1% more interruptions than avg.)

Imp. Types: National 99%, Local 1%, VOD/OTT 0%

In-network Value: $979,442

Out-of-network Est. Spend: $0.00

5) Celebrity IOU, HGTV

Impressions: 174,022,907

Interruption Rate: 1.28%

Attention Index: 108 (8% fewer interruptions than avg.)

Imp. Types: National 99%, Local 1%, VOD/OTT 0%

In-network Value: $568,994

Out-of-network Est. Spend: $174,716

*Data provided by iSpot.tv, TV Ad Measurement for Disruptive Brands*

Impressions - The total impressions within all US households including National Linear (Live & Time-shifted), VOD+OTT, and Local.

Attention Score - Measures the propensity of consumers to interrupt an ad play on TV. The higher the score, the more complete views. Actions that interrupt an ad play include changing the channel, pulling up the guide, fast-forwarding or turning off the TV.

Attention Index - Represents the Attention of a specific creative or program placement vs. the average in its respective industry. The average is represented by a score of 100, and the total index range is from 0 through 200. For example, an attention index of 125 means that there are 25% fewer interrupted ad plays compared to the average.

Imp. Types - Impression types tracked include National (Live + Time-shifted), Local, VOD & OTT. See below for further details.

In-network Value - Estimated media value of in-network promos.

Out-of-network Spend - The estimated amount spent on TV airing time for this promo's spots during a given date range.

National: Live - A national promo which was viewed during live linear television broadcast or same day, via DVR or on-demand.

Local - A promo that was aired during a local ad break slot.

VOD - This includes promos that run in on-demand content past three days (i.e. do not contain the linear promo load)

OTT - On-demand streaming content (i.e. Hulu, Roku, Fire TV Stick, Chromecast).

B&C has partnered with always-on TV ad measurement and attribution company iSpot.tv to bring you a weekly chart we call Promo Mojo: exclusive data showing the top five TV promos ranked by ad impressions. Our data covers the 7-day period through June 13.

On the strength of 227.1 million TV ad impressions, an ABC spot for The Celebrity Dating Game takes first place. The previous week’s ranking was topped by an America’s Got Talent promo, but this week it drops to fourth.

Meanwhile, TBS hypes new game show The Cube in second, and a CMT promo for the CMT Music Awards takes third.

Closing out the ranking, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries gives some love to Aurora Teagarden Mysteries in fifth.

Notably, the America’s Got Talent spot has this week’s highest iSpot Attention Index (107), meaning viewers were on average highly likely to watch it all the way through (vs. interrupting it by changing the channel, pulling up the guide, fast-forwarding or turning off the TV).

1) The Celebrity Dating Game, ABC

Impressions: 227,127,081

Interruption Rate: 1.55%

Attention Index: 92 (8% more interruptions than avg.)

Imp. Types: National 93%, Local 5%, VOD/OTT 2%

In-network Value: $1,745,655

Out-of-network Est. Spend: $187,623

2) The Cube, TBS

Impressions: 218,069,642

Interruption Rate: 1.79%

Attention Index: 99 (1% more interruptions than avg.)

Imp. Types: National 95%, Local 4%, VOD/OTT 1%

In-network Value: $1,686,132

Out-of-network Est. Spend: $216,219

3) 2021 CMT Music Awards, CMT

Impressions: 186,441,251

Interruption Rate: 2.34%

Attention Index: 105 (5% fewer interruptions than avg.)

Imp. Types: National 81%, Local 17%, VOD/OTT 2%

In-network Value: $472,109

Out-of-network Est. Spend: $130,727

4) America’s Got Talent, NBC

Impressions: 185,299,540

Interruption Rate: 1.99%

Attention Index: 107 (7% fewer interruptions than avg.)

Imp. Types: National 93%, Local 6%, VOD/OTT 1%

In-network Value: $1,083,018

Out-of-network Est. Spend: $5,844

5) Aurora Teagarden Mysteries, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries

Impressions: 180,150,448

Interruption Rate: 3.96%

Attention Index: 106 (6% fewer interruptions than avg.)

Imp. Types: National 98%, Local 1%, VOD/OTT 1%

In-network Value: $941,090

Out-of-network Est. Spend: $0.00

*Data provided by iSpot.tv, TV Ad Measurement for Disruptive Brands*

Impressions - The total impressions within all US households including National Linear (Live & Time-shifted), VOD+OTT, and Local.

Attention Score - Measures the propensity of consumers to interrupt an ad play on TV. The higher the score, the more complete views. Actions that interrupt an ad play include changing the channel, pulling up the guide, fast-forwarding or turning off the TV.

Attention Index - Represents the Attention of a specific creative or program placement vs. the average in its respective industry. The average is represented by a score of 100, and the total index range is from 0 through 200. For example, an attention index of 125 means that there are 25% fewer interrupted ad plays compared to the average.

Imp. Types - Impression types tracked include National (Live + Time-shifted), Local, VOD & OTT. See below for further details.

In-network Value - Estimated media value of in-network promos.

Out-of-network Spend - The estimated amount spent on TV airing time for this promo's spots during a given date range.

National: Live - A national promo which was viewed during live linear television broadcast or same day, via DVR or on-demand.

Local - A promo that was aired during a local ad break slot.

VOD - This includes promos that run in on-demand content past three days (i.e. do not contain the linear promo load)

OTT - On-demand streaming content (i.e. Hulu, Roku, Fire TV Stick, Chromecast).

B&C has partnered with always-on TV ad measurement and attribution company iSpot.tv to bring you a weekly chart we call Promo Mojo: exclusive data showing the top five TV promos ranked by ad impressions. Our data covers the 7-day period through May 23.

On the strength of 272.7 million TV ad impressions, an HGTV promo for Home Town Takeover takes first place. Meanwhile, fellow cable network Hallmark Movies & Mysteries grabs fourth place for Morning Show Mysteries and Food Network hypes Best Baker in America in fifth.

But broadcasters make a decent showing too, with Fox whipping up excitement for Crime Scene Kitchen, hosted by Joel McHale, in second place, and CBS promoting Queen Latifah star vehicle The Equalizer in third.

Notably, the Best Baker in America spot has this week’s highest iSpot Attention Index (116), meaning viewers were on average highly likely to watch it all the way through (vs. interrupting it by changing the channel, pulling up the guide, fast-forwarding or turning off the TV).

1) Home Town Takeover, HGTV

Impressions: 272,712,193

Interruption Rate: 1.53%

Attention Index: 111 (11% fewer interruptions than avg.)

Imp. Types: National 98%, Local 1%, VOD/OTT 1%

In-network Value: $1,339,632

Out-of-network Est. Spend: $8,852

2) Crime Scene Kitchen, Fox

Impressions: 194,896,294

Interruption Rate: 1.05%

Attention Index: 111 (11% fewer interruptions than avg.)

Imp. Types: National 92%, Local 6%, VOD/OTT 2%

In-network Value: $495,509

Out-of-network Est. Spend: $1,068,900

3) The Equalizer, CBS

Impressions: 192,203,921

Interruption Rate: 1.19%

Attention Index: 84 (16% more interruptions than avg.)

Imp. Types: National 94%, Local 5%, VOD/OTT 1%

In-network Value: $1,093,053

Out-of-network Est. Spend: $0.00

4) Morning Show Mysteries, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries

Impressions: 183,482,982

Interruption Rate: 4.90%

Attention Index: 100 (0% more interruptions than avg.)

Imp. Types: National 99%, Local 1%, VOD/OTT 0%

In-network Value: $1,049,095

Out-of-network Est. Spend: $0.00

5) Best Baker in America, Food Network

Impressions: 183,196,408

Interruption Rate: 1.14%

Attention Index: 116 (16% fewer interruptions than avg.)

Imp. Types: National 100%, Local 0%, VOD/OTT 0%

In-network Value: $641,810

Out-of-network Est. Spend: $0.00

*Data provided by iSpot.tv, TV Ad Measurement for Disruptive Brands*

Impressions - The total impressions within all US households including National Linear (Live & Time-shifted), VOD+OTT, and Local.

Attention Score - Measures the propensity of consumers to interrupt an ad play on TV. The higher the score, the more complete views. Actions that interrupt an ad play include changing the channel, pulling up the guide, fast-forwarding or turning off the TV.

Attention Index - Represents the Attention of a specific creative or program placement vs. the average in its respective industry. The average is represented by a score of 100, and the total index range is from 0 through 200. For example, an attention index of 125 means that there are 25% fewer interrupted ad plays compared to the average.

Imp. Types - Impression types tracked include National (Live + Time-shifted), Local, VOD & OTT. See below for further details.

In-network Value - Estimated media value of in-network promos.

Out-of-network Spend - The estimated amount spent on TV airing time for this promo's spots during a given date range.

National: Live - A national promo which was viewed during live linear television broadcast or same day, via DVR or on-demand.

Local - A promo that was aired during a local ad break slot.

VOD - This includes promos that run in on-demand content past three days (i.e. do not contain the linear promo load)

OTT - On-demand streaming content (i.e. Hulu, Roku, Fire TV Stick, Chromecast).

Crown Media Family Networks has appointed veteran programming executive Toni Judkins as senior VP, programming and development for Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, the company said Monday.

Judkins, who will report to Crown Media executive VP of programming Michelle Vicary, will oversee the development and production of original content that explores diverse, character-driven stories, said Hallmark. Prior to joining Hallmark, Judkins ran her own production company Moxy Media, and before that served as TV One executive VP, programming and production.

“This is an incredibly pivotal, exciting time in the evolution of our programming footprint; recruiting Toni is a reflection of our continued commitment to meaningfully branching out in our storytelling and characters,” Vicary said in a statement. “Toni’s background in creating and producing a wide variety of content that appeals to both broad and niche audiences will play an important role as we continue to explore new and more varied ways of bringing Hallmark’s signature brand of content to life.”

Also Read: Crown Media Names Josef Robey Director of VOD Product

Hallmark also promoted Jessica Callahan to VP programming for the network. Formerly director of programming and development, Callahan will be responsible for piloting original programs and movies through every step of the development and production process, and will contribute to the development and execution of broad content strategies for Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, said the company

Vicary said: “Having worked for a decade as a production executive on the Hallmark Hall of Fame team prior to joining Crown Media, Jessica has a deep understanding of our unique, brand-driven approach to positive, heartfelt programming. Over the last five years, her talent, creative instincts, vitality, and humor have made her an integral and extremely well-liked member of the programming team, and I look forward to watching her continued growth and professional development with this well-deserved promotion.”

Also Read: Crown Media Launches Hallmark’s First AVOD Channel on Xumo

B&C has partnered with always-on TV ad measurement and attribution company iSpot.tv to bring you a weekly chart we call Promo Mojo: exclusive data showing the top five TV promos ranked by ad impressions. Our data covers the 7-day period through April 18.

On the strength of 293 million TV ad impressions, a CBS promo for the 2021 ACM Awards — the 56th Academy of Country Music Awards telecast that aired Sunday night — tops our chart. An ABC promo for new drama Rebel takes second place.

Cable networks round out this week’s ranking, with HGTV building excitement for new show No Demo Reno in third, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries hyping Matchmaker Mysteries in fourth, and Food Network giving some love to Tournament of Champions in fifth.

Notably, the Tournament spot has the highest iSpot Attention Index (134) in this week’s ranking, meaning viewers were on average highly likely to watch it all the way through (vs. interrupting it by changing the channel, pulling up the guide, fast-forwarding or turning off the TV).

1) 2021 ACM Awards, CBS

Impressions: 293,030,785

Interruption Rate: 1.00%

Attention Index: 105 (5% fewer interruptions than avg.)

Imp. Types: National 88%, Local 11%, VOD/OTT 1%

In-network Value: $1,598,319

Out-of-network Est. Spend: $299,067

2) Rebel, ABC

Impressions: 232,693,814

Interruption Rate: 1.42%

Attention Index: 117 (17% fewer interruptions than avg.)

Imp. Types: National 84%, Local 14%, VOD/OTT 2%

In-network Value: $976,367

Out-of-network Est. Spend: $668,420

3) No Demo Reno, HGTV

Impressions: 212,367,112

Interruption Rate: 1.36%

Attention Index: 115 (15% fewer interruptions than avg.)

Imp. Types: National 99%, Local 1%, VOD/OTT 0%

In-network Value: $937,442

Out-of-network Est. Spend: $0.00

4) Matchmaker Mysteries, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries

Impressions: 207,296,176

Interruption Rate: 4.47%

Attention Index: 88 (12% more interruptions than avg.)

Imp. Types: National 99%, Local 0%, VOD/OTT 1%

In-network Value: $1,159,205

Out-of-network Est. Spend: $0.00

5) Tournament of Champions, Food Network

Impressions: 175,996,172

Interruption Rate: 0.98%

Attention Index: 134 (34% fewer interruptions than avg.)

Imp. Types: National 98%, Local 1%, VOD/OTT 1%

In-network Value: $531,549

Out-of-network Est. Spend: $0.00

*Data provided by iSpot.tv, TV Ad Measurement for Disruptive Brands*

Impressions - The total impressions within all US households including National Linear (Live & Time-shifted), VOD+OTT, and Local.

Attention Score - Measures the propensity of consumers to interrupt an ad play on TV. The higher the score, the more complete views. Actions that interrupt an ad play include changing the channel, pulling up the guide, fast-forwarding or turning off the TV.

Attention Index - Represents the Attention of a specific creative or program placement vs. the average in its respective industry. The average is represented by a score of 100, and the total index range is from 0 through 200. For example, an attention index of 125 means that there are 25% fewer interrupted ad plays compared to the average.

Imp. Types - Impression types tracked include National (Live + Time-shifted), Local, VOD & OTT. See below for further details.

In-network Value - Estimated media value of in-network promos.

Out-of-network Spend - The estimated amount spent on TV airing time for this promo's spots during a given date range.

National: Live - A national promo which was viewed during live linear television broadcast or same day, via DVR or on-demand.

Local - A promo that was aired during a local ad break slot.

VOD - This includes promos that run in on-demand content past three days (i.e. do not contain the linear promo load)

OTT - On-demand streaming content (i.e. Hulu, Roku, Fire TV Stick, Chromecast).

B&C has partnered with always-on TV ad measurement and attribution company iSpot.tv to bring you a weekly chart we call Promo Mojo: exclusive data showing the top five TV promos ranked by ad impressions. Our data covers the 7-day period through April 11.

On the strength of 379.4 million TV ad impressions, an ABC promo for Rebel, a new drama starring Katey Sagal, tops our chart. It’s the second week in a row it’s No. 1.

ABC also once again grabs third place to promote new comedy Home Economics, while fellow broadcast network CBS takes fourth to drum up excitement for the 2021 ACM Awards — the 56th Academy of Country Music Awards telecast set for Sunday, April 18, with Keith Urban and Mickey Guyton hosting.

Cable networks round out this week’s ranking, with Disney Channel serving up a general network promo in second place, and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries promoting Crossword Mysteries in fifth.

1) Rebel, ABC

Impressions: 379,362,217

Interruption Rate: 1.57%

Attention Index: 98 (2% more interruptions than avg.)

Imp. Types: National 90%, Local 9%, VOD/OTT 1%

In-network Value: $2,449,420

Out-of-network Est. Spend: $990,669

2) Disney Channel general promo, Disney Channel

Impressions: 280,244,181

Interruption Rate: 5.04%

Attention Index: 95 (5% more interruptions than avg.)

Imp. Types: National 98%, Local 0%, VOD/OTT 2%

In-network Value: $2,395,976

Out-of-network Est. Spend: $0.00

3) Home Economics, ABC

Impressions: 240,617,372

Interruption Rate: 1.46%

Attention Index: 98 (2% more interruptions than avg.)

Imp. Types: National 88%, Local 11%, VOD/OTT 1%

In-network Value: $1,179,206

Out-of-network Est. Spend: $582,404

4) 2021 ACM Awards, CBS

Impressions: 185,346,968

Interruption Rate: 1.28%

Attention Index: 98 (2% more interruptions than avg.)

Imp. Types: National 90%, Local 9%, VOD/OTT 1%

In-network Value: $3,080,665

Out-of-network Est. Spend: $224,066

5) Crossword Mysteries, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries

Impressions: 181,354,406

Interruption Rate: 3.62%

Attention Index: 96 (4% more interruptions than avg.)

Imp. Types: National 99%, Local 0%, VOD/OTT 1%

In-network Value: $1,015,321

Out-of-network Est. Spend: $0.00

*Data provided by iSpot.tv, TV Ad Measurement for Disruptive Brands*

Impressions - The total impressions within all US households including National Linear (Live & Time-shifted), VOD+OTT, and Local.

Attention Score - Measures the propensity of consumers to interrupt an ad play on TV. The higher the score, the more complete views. Actions that interrupt an ad play include changing the channel, pulling up the guide, fast-forwarding or turning off the TV.

Attention Index - Represents the Attention of a specific creative or program placement vs. the average in its respective industry. The average is represented by a score of 100, and the total index range is from 0 through 200. For example, an attention index of 125 means that there are 25% fewer interrupted ad plays compared to the average.

Imp. Types - Impression types tracked include National (Live + Time-shifted), Local, VOD & OTT. See below for further details.

In-network Value - Estimated media value of in-network promos.

Out-of-network Spend - The estimated amount spent on TV airing time for this promo's spots during a given date range.

National: Live - A national promo which was viewed during live linear television broadcast or same day, via DVR or on-demand.

Local - A promo that was aired during a local ad break slot.

VOD - This includes promos that run in on-demand content past three days (i.e. do not contain the linear promo load)

OTT - On-demand streaming content (i.e. Hulu, Roku, Fire TV Stick, Chromecast).

B&C has partnered with always-on TV ad measurement and attribution company iSpot.tv to bring you a weekly chart we call Promo Mojo: exclusive data showing the top five TV promos ranked by ad impressions. Our data covers the seven-day period through March 21.

On the strength of 273.9 million TV ad impressions, a two-minute episode of Disney Channel’s comedy short series Random Rings — that doubles as a promo for Big City Greens — takes first place. Cable networks dominate our chart, with Disney joined by National Geographic, which hypes its Genius anthology series in second place; Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, which gives some love to Mystery 101 in fourth; and HGTV, which builds excitement for Rock the Block in fifth.

CBS, the sole traditional broadcaster in our ranking this time, promotes the 2021 NCAA Basketball Tournament in third place.

Notably, the Mystery 101 spot has the highest iSpot Attention Index (124) in our ranking, meaning viewers were on average highly likely to watch it all the way through (vs. interrupting it by changing the channel, pulling up the guide, fast-forwarding or turning off the TV).

1) Random Rings/Big City Greens, Disney Channel

Impressions: 273,880,086

Interruption Rate: 5.23%

Attention Index: 103 (3% fewer interruptions than avg.)

Imp. Types: National 99%, Local 0%, VOD/OTT 1%

In-network Value: $2,130,988

Out-of-network Est. Spend: $0.00

2) Genius: Aretha, National Geographic

Impressions: 269,635,349

Interruption Rate: 1.46%

Attention Index: 111 (11% fewer interruptions than avg.)

Imp. Types: National 88%, Local 11%, VOD/OTT 1%

In-network Value: $1,226,535

Out-of-network Est. Spend: $766,871

3) 2021 NCAA Basketball Tournament, CBS

Impressions: 224,227,457

Interruption Rate: 2.75%

Attention Index: 75 (25% more interruptions than avg.)

Imp. Types: National 81%, Local 18%, VOD/OTT 1%

In-network Value: $577,559

Out-of-network Est. Spend: $2,273,138

4) Mystery 101, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries

Impressions: 212,111,306

Interruption Rate: 4.18%

Attention Index: 124 (24% fewer interruptions than avg.)

Imp. Types: National 98%, Local 1%, VOD/OTT 1%

In-network Value: $1,096,368

Out-of-network Est. Spend: $0.00

5) Rock the Block, HGTV

Impressions: 208,998,416

Interruption Rate: 1.31%

Attention Index: 118 (18% fewer interruptions than avg.)

Imp. Types: National 98%, Local 1%, VOD/OTT 1%

In-network Value: $832,742

Out-of-network Est. Spend: $154,382

*Data provided by iSpot.tv, TV Ad Measurement for Disruptive Brands*

Impressions - The total impressions within all US households including National Linear (Live & Time-shifted), VOD+OTT, and Local.

Attention Score - Measures the propensity of consumers to interrupt an ad play on TV. The higher the score, the more complete views. Actions that interrupt an ad play include changing the channel, pulling up the guide, fast-forwarding or turning off the TV.

Attention Index - Represents the Attention of a specific creative or program placement vs. the average in its respective industry. The average is represented by a score of 100, and the total index range is from 0 through 200. For example, an attention index of 125 means that there are 25% fewer interrupted ad plays compared to the average.

Imp. Types - Impression types tracked include National (Live + Time-shifted), Local, VOD & OTT. See below for further details.

In-network Value - Estimated media value of in-network promos.

Out-of-network Spend - The estimated amount spent on TV airing time for this promo's spots during a given date range.

National: Live - A national promo which was viewed during live linear television broadcast or same day, via DVR or on-demand.

Local - A promo that was aired during a local ad break slot.

VOD - This includes promos that run in on-demand content past three days (i.e. do not contain the linear promo load)

OTT - On-demand streaming content (i.e. Hulu, Roku, Fire TV Stick, Chromecast).

The cable news networks continued to drive cable viewership in the week before the Christmas holiday, with Fox News topping the charts.

Fox News was the most watched cable network during the week of Dec. 14-Dec. 20, averaging 2.4 million viewers, according to Nielsen. ESPN finished a close second with 2.1 million viewers, followed by MSNBC with 2 million watchers.

Hallmark Channel’s holiday-themed original movies helped land the network in fourth place for the week with 1.7 million viewers, followed by CNN’s 1.6 million viewers. NFL Network’s three National Football League game telecasts during the week aided the network's sixth-place finish with 1.2 million viewers, followed by HGTV (1 million viewers), Freeform (952,000), TBS Network (909,000) and History (884,000).

Fox News, MSNBC and CNN all averaged 1.2 million viewers to finish at the top of the total day chart, followed by Hallmark Channel, ESPN, HGTV, Investigation Discovery, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, Freeform and Food Network, according to Nielsen. 

Another week, another win for Fox News as it continues its impressive weekly ratings streak over the July 4th holiday week.

The cable news network averaged 3.4 million viewers in primetime for the week of June 29 to July 5, topping all cable networks for the 24th consecutive week, according to Nielsen. The network was led in primetime by Hannity, which posted the most watched show of the week.

MSNBC (1.7 million viewers) and CNN (1.5 million viewers) finished second and third, respectively, maintaining the cable news networks’ summer dominance over the entertainment-based networks. HGTV was fourth with 1.2 million viewers, followed by TLC’s 1 million watchers, according to Nielsen.

TBS (834,000 viewers), History (811,000), Food Network (760,000), USA Network (694,000 and Hallmark Movie & Mysteries (692,000) rounded out the top 10 most watched networks in primetime during the week.

Fox News topped the total day chart for the 26th consecutive week, followed by MSNBC, CNN, HGTV and Food Network, respectively, said Nielsen. 

As more families are staying at home due to the coronavirus outbreak, linear-based, family-friendly networks are lining up original content to offer audiences on digital platforms.

Crown Media Family Networks announced Thursday (March 26) that it would make its Hallmark Movies Now subscription video on demand service available free for 30 days. Along with a slate of original movies and series from its linear cable channels Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, the SVOD service -- which retails at $4.99 per month -- will also feature a lineup of popular Christmas movie offerings, said the company.

The Hallmark linear channel is reprising its We Need a Little Christmas holiday movie marathon this weekend beginning March 27. Hallmark Movies & Mysteries is also kicking off a weekend holiday event, Miracles of Christmas Movie Marathon, beginning March 27, said the network.

The move follows a similar free SVOD offering from UpTV. The family-themed network is offering a select number of original movies, series and specials for free on its UpTV Faith and Family OTT service. 

Among the original UpTV series streaming previous seasons for free include Growing Up McGhee, Jo Frost: Nanny On Tour and The Last Hope, according to network officials. 

Hallmark channel’s annual ‘‘Countdown to Christmas” holiday programming stunt is delivering gifts for parent Crown Media holdings in both ratings and advertising. Hallmark tied ESPN as the most-watched cable network in primetime from Nov. 26 to Dec. 2, its first weekly its first weekly ratings win of the year.

Since launching its block of 22 original, family-friendly holiday films in late October, Hallmark is averaging more than 2 million viewers in primetime, double its tally during the third quarter. The first 14 of those telefilms — including Road to Christmas and A Shoe Addict’s Christmas — have averaged 3.6 million viewers.

On the advertising front, Hallmark and sibling Hallmark Movies & Mysteries garnered double-digit increases in price and volume within the upfronts and scatter markets due to the ratings success of Countdown to Christmas, according to Ed Georger, Crown Media Family Networks executive vice president of advertising sales and digital media. New this season: a Hallmark-branded SiriusXM satellite radio channel featuring holiday music and behind-scenes content from upcoming holiday movies, and an official Hallmark Channels podcast that launched Dec. 14.

Crown Media Family Networks president and CEO Bill Abbott spoke with Multichannel News about the network’s successful holiday programming run.

MCN: What is the secret sauce behind Hallmark’s continued success with its holiday-themed, original movie lineup?
Bill Abbott: First and foremost, we have a brand that’s synonymous with the holidays, so we have a huge head start going into the holiday season. It’s hard to make that pivot to become a holiday content provider when you’ve been something very different all year long. Secondly, our content just gets better every year. We have worked, as you know, very hard on our story, scripts, casting, production value, music and all the different things that just make us more formidable every year and makes our library that much better every year. Thirdly, our marketing effort is reaching a new level this year with our partnership with Sirius. Our goal to be everywhere that the holiday/Christmas enthusiast is throughout the season is really at a new level. So those are three things that are very big advantages for us that are that are hard to compete with.

MCN: How has your holiday lineup performed in terms of advertising and sponsorship?
BA: We’re having a great scatter market. We’re seeing CPM [price] increases that are significant, and we’re seeing revenue increases that are far outpacing the industry quarter-to-quarter and year-to-year. We’re No. 1 in the vast majority of demographics with the exception of probably adults 18-49, where sports are so big. So demographically, how it translates out on a total-day basis — which is how cable really is purchased by the advertiser — makes us really dominant throughout this time of year, and that drops right to the bottom line.

So it’s a very strong business model and one that advertisers love. They love our environment, and we’ve worked hard to make our environment special throughout the holidays. That translates to higher pricing, a better mix of advertisers and a better overall story on the ad sales side.

MCN: How does success during the holiday season translate to boosting revenue and ratings fortunes the rest of the year?
BA: We’ve focused on holidays as a tentpole for our brand, which is all about celebration. So we have the tentpoles of Valentine’s Day, weddings and certainly Christmas and Thanksgiving. But we also have celebrations of the four seasons as well, so we’ve really expanded our content to create that feeling not dissimilar to when you walk into a Hallmark Gold Crown store. You would feel a lot of bright colors and a lot of different reflections of the season at retail that we chose to capture on air as well. That is something that advertisers really take into account, and it’s really helped us in terms of the marketplace. Nobody else can do that, because their brand isn’t synonymous with [the holiday season] the way ours is.

With the holiday TV season in full swing, ESPN and Hallmark Channel battled to a first place tie in last week’s primetime cable ratings race, according to Nielsen.

ESPN, bolstered by its coverage of the final weeks of both college football and NFL Monday Night Football regular season schedules, and Hallmark – boosted by its annual original holiday movie lineup --tied for the top spot among cable networks for the period of Nov. 26 to Dec. 2 with 2.1 million viewers, according to Nielsen.

Fox News was close behind in third place with 2 million viewers, followed by MSNBC with 1.9 million viewers, and USA Network and HGTV, which tied with 1.1 million viewers.

Hallmark Movies and Mysteries (1 million), History, AMC, Food Network, CNN, Investigation Discovery and TBS Network all tied with 1 million viewers, according to Nielsen.

Fox News Channel was tops on a 24-hour basis, followed by Hallmark Channel, MSNBC, Nickelodeon, and ESPN, said Nielsen. 

Hallmark Channel cancelled its Wednesday upfront event in New York City due to the nor’easter snowstorm, but that didn’t stop the network from making several programming announcements, including the renewals of its scripted series When Calls the Heart and reality series Meet The Peetes.

Instead of a formal upfront event, the network made the announcements during a Facebook live event from New York's wintery Central Park featuring Hallmark Channel president and CEO Bill Abbott and Hallmark Channel executive vice president of ad sales Ed Georger, as well as actresses Candace Cameron Bure and Danica McKellar.

Hallmark ordered a sixth season of its scripted drama series When Calls the Heart, based on the book of the same name by Janette Oke and starring Erin Krakow, Lori Loughlin and Daniel Lissing.

“Most series experience a ratings decline with age, but When Calls the Heart is bucking that trend thanks to our devoted fans who elevate the show to new levels each year,” said Michelle Vicary, Executive Vice President, Programming and Network Publicity, Crown Media Family Networks in a statement. “The compelling storytelling combined with our captivating cast keeps our viewers engaged and enthusiastic about the saga of Hope Valley, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to continue the journey in season six.”

The network’s freshman reality series Meet The Peetes – which follows the family of former NFL quarterback Rodney Peete and actress Holly Robinson Peete – will return for a second season in 2019, said network officials.

RELATED: 'Meet The Peetes' Bringing Reality, Diversity to Hallmark Channel 

“We look forward to continue sharing the Peetes’ journey as they navigate through life united as a family,” Vicary said.

Hallmark also announced that next February it will add a new Super Bowl Sunday special, Cat Bowl, to complement its annual Kitten Bowl telecast. Cat Bowl, which will feature adult cats plating a feline Hall of Fame game, will debut Feb. 2, prior to the 6th annual Kitten Bowl telecast.

The network said it will also bring back it American Rescue Dog Show event with a second installment airing in February 2019.

On the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries front, the network will premiere three new original movies in 2018, including Crossword Mysteries, Picture Perfect and The Chronicle Mysteries.

AT&T continued to add channels to it lineup Wednesday (July 22), reaching a carriage deal with Hallmark Channel for high-definition distribution, the telco said Wednesday.

The deal will add Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries to AT&T U-Verse TV beginning tomorrow (July 23), said company officials. 

Hallmark Channel will be on channels 365 and 1365 in high-definition in the U-family and U200 and above packages, while Hallmark Movies & Mysteries will be on Channels 366 and 1366 in HD in the U-family and U300 and above packages.

The channels will also be on the U-verse App for tablets and smartphones and on Uverse.com, according to AT&T.

AT&T was the last of the major distributors not to carry Hallmark, which is in front of 85 million subscribers, said network officials.

The Hallmark channels are the second cable network deal announced by AT& in as many days following yesterday's deal to carry music-themed network Revolt. 

 “This agreement is a winning deal for AT&T U-verse customers,” said Bill Abbott, president & CEO, Crown Media Family Networks in a statement. “They now have access to our two distinct channels and some of the best, most compelling family entertainment on television. We look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with AT&T.”

Added Eric Boyer, senior vice president, AT&T U-verse: “We are thrilled to work with Crown Media to bring Hallmark to our U-verse TV customers. Our customers will be able to watch the Hallmark programming they love on U-verse TV, as well as on their mobile devices with our U-verse App.”

Crown Media Holdings, parent of the Hallmark Channel, said advertising revenue rose 14% in the fourth quarter, fueled by strong audience gains, particularly in its newest network Hallmark Movies & Mysteries.

Those increases also helped drive cash flow growth of 25% in the period.

According to the company, Hallmark Channel's "Countdown to Christmas" programming block was No. 1 on cable, reaching 66 million viewers since its launch on Oct. 31 and was the mos- watched cable network among households and women 25 to 54, resulting in Nov. 29 becoming the best Nielsen day in network history. The 12 New Movies of Christmas averaged a 2.6 household rating on Hallmark Channel, making it firsr in weekend primetime.

In addition, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries -- the service that converted from Hallmark Movie Channel on Oct. 1 -- delivered its highest quarter and year in both total day and primetime among households, women 25 to 54, and adults 25-54 in its network history.

“Crown Media’s tremendous achievements in 2014, including Hallmark Channel’s second scripted series, When Calls the Heart; the successful return ofCedar Cove; the rebrand of Hallmark Movie Channel to Hallmark Movies & Mysteries; and strong content and ratings during the holiday season, contributed to the continued growth of our business and another year of record financial results, said Crown Media CEO Bill Abbott in a statement. "Looking ahead to 2015, we are focused on building on our programming footprint, further positioning us to achieve great success.”

Crown Media Family Networks said Hallmark Channel original scripted seriesSigned, Sealed, Delivered, executive produced and written by Martha Williamson (Touched by an Angel), will move to sister network Hallmark Movies & Mysteries as a movie franchise consisting of a series of two-hour original films.

The first movie in the franchise will be Signed, Sealed, Delivered For Christmas, on Nov. 23 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, with three more slated for 2015.

Hallmark Movies & Mysteries will introduce viewers to the Signed, Sealed, Delivered franchise by airing a marathon of the series on Saturday, Oct. 11, from 11 a.m.- 11 p.m. ET/PT.

Returning cast members include Eric Mabius, Shane McInerney, Rita Haywith and Norman Dorman as a team of postal workers who track down people who haven't received "undeliverable" mail.

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.”