NCTC Renews Carriage Deal for Hallmark Channel, Crown Media Nets

Merritt Patterson and Jon Ecker in Hallmark's 'Gingerbread Miracle'
Merritt Patterson and Jon Ecker in Hallmark Channel original movie 'Gingerbread Miracle.' (Image credit: ©2021 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Kailey Schwerman)

National Cable Television Cooperative members will continue to receive Hallmark Channel and Crown Media Family Networks’ other services as part of a new multiyear carriage deal between the two companies.

Along with Hallmark Channel, NCTC members will continue to carry Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, Hallmark Drama and Crown Media’s TV everywhere service Hallmark TV as part of the renewal agreement. The NCTC represents more than 700 small and midsized independent cable and broadband operators.

Financial terms were not disclosed. 

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

“Our longstanding partnership with NCTC’s member operators has allowed us to garner an audience of loyal viewers who value Hallmark’s unique brand of feel-good, heartwarming content,” Crown Media president and CEO Wonya Lucas said in a statement. “NCTC is an esteemed partner in elevating the breadth of our programming efforts year-round, and we look forward to continuing to provide their member operators and subscribers with access to our signature programming destinations in the years to come.”

Added NCTC EVP of programming Judy Meyka: “Hallmark provides quality programming that our members are pleased to share with their subscribers. We truly value our partnership with Hallmark and look forward to our continued relationship for many years to come.” ■ 

Also: New Disney Deal with NCTC Includes Disney Plus, ESPN Plus 

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.