Hallmark Channel

Hallmark Channel

Headquarters	Studio City, California, United States
Ownership
Owner	International: NBC Universal Global Networks United States: Crown Media Holdings

The Hallmark Channel is a cable television network that broadcasts in over 100 countries. They specialize in series and movies that are appropriate for the whole family. In all countries except the United States they are owned by NBC Universal. The Hallmark name is licensed from Hallmark Cards, Inc.

The Hallmark Channel in the United States is owned by Crown Media Holdings, in turn majority-owned by Hallmark Cards.

Hallmark Channel USA

File:Odyssey-1.jpg

Logo, as the Odyssey Network

In the United States, the network began as a merger between VISN (the Vision Interfaith Satellite Network), and the ACTS (American Christian Television Station) Network. The combined network initially ran under both names, but was later named the Faith and Values Channel, and originally broadcast religious programming only. More secular programming was started in 1996 when the channel was renamed the Odyssey Channel, using the domain name Odysseyfamily.com for posting TV listings. Hallmark Entertainment and The Jim Henson Company bought stakes in Odyssey in November 1998. After Odyssey Network shut down Henson's half of the channel, Hallmark took over. The channel was officially renamed on August 5, 2001.

Today, Hallmark specializes in airing past segments from their parent company's Hallmark Hall of Fame anthology series, which features made-for-television movies and miniseries, most of them from the series' CBS run. Hallmark began airing its own weekday morning show entitled New Morning in 2002 and added a Sunday morning version hosted by Naomi Judd entitled Naomi's New Morning in 2005.

In October 2006, Henry Schleiff was appointed the new CEO, overseeing all of the networks’ divisions. Prior to this position, Schleiff was Chairman and CEO of Court TV.

In January 2007, Hallmark Channel dropped the Hallmark crown from its logo, but still uses it in certain places on-air, and in other countries.

In February 2008, the Hillary Clinton campaign purchased an hour of Hallmark Channel's primetime under a paid programming arrangement on February 4, 2008, the day before the multi-state "Super Tuesday (2008)" primaries.

Current programming

Hallmark Channel Headquarters, Studio City, CA

• I Love Lucy
• 7th Heaven
• Diagnosis Murder
• Little House on the Prairie
• M*A*S*H
• Murder, She Wrote
• Touched by an Angel
• Walker, Texas Ranger
• The Waltons

Other shows, such as JAG, The Brady Bunch, Hogan's Heroes, Family Ties, Nanny and the Professor, Gunsmoke, Bewitched, Gilligan's Island, Perry Mason, and Judging Amy, have shown on the network.

Hallmark Channel Original Movies

Hallmark is known for airing made-for-TV movies that are family-friendly and inspirational. The movies are often produced by RHI Entertainment, but as of 2007 they are produced by a variety of companies.

See also: List of Hallmark Channel original films

Hallmark's Home for the Holidays

Hallmark Channel's seasonal event highlighting the winter holidays begins after Thanksgiving. Hallmark airs a combination of holiday films, made-for-TV movies, and original content, as well as changing the overall look of the channel to fit the holiday season.

Hallmark Channel Consumer Website

On November 19, 2007 the network refreshed its consumer website, www.hallmarkchannel.com, offering users microsites dedicated to original programming and marketing initiatives. They also began to stream their award-winning original series, “Adoption,” marking the first time the network has scheduled a full-length program online. On July 21, 2008 the website launched its behind the scenes series called "On Location" that features an on-camera host who introduces interviews and footage from the filming of Hallmark Channel's original movies. The segments are featured on each movies' individual microsite.

On January 29, 2009 the company announced the development of an online movie shop at both www.hallmarkchannel.com and www.hallmarkmoviechannel.com featuring DVD movies and movie-related products from its library. The shop is powered by the Amazon Associates program. Since its soft launch in mid-2008, Hallmark Channel has already generated sales of over 10,000 items. The network earns a commission on each sale.

Hallmark Channel Around the World

Hallmark Channel Australia

Main article: Hallmark Channel (Australia)

In Australia, the channel supplements its United States programming with drama from Australia's largest producer of TV drama, Southern Star Group.

Hallmark Channel South-Africa

Main article: Hallmark Channel (South-Africa)

In South-Africa, the channel supplements mostly movies.

Hallmark Channel UK

Main article: Hallmark Channel (UK)

The British version of Hallmark runs mostly United States imports, including TV movies and drama such as House, Judging Amy, The District and the Law & Order franchise. The channel also runs the BBC drama Spooks. Also, the Australian drama series McLeod's Daughters has aired on the channel since its launch in 2001.

Hallmark Channel Italy

Main article: Hallmark Channel (Italy)

The Italian version of Hallmark Channel channel broadcasts mostly United States imports, like Judging Amy and 7th Heaven and McLeod's Daughters.

Hallmark Channel Asia

	7:00pm	7:30pm	8:00pm	8:30pm	9:00pm	9:30pm	10:00pm	10:30pm
Monday	Judging Amy		ER		Without A Trace		The Oprah Winfrey Show
Tuesday					The Starter Wife
Wednesday					Law & Order
Thursday			3 lbs		Law & Order: Special Victims Unit		Movie
Friday					Movie
Saturday	Movie		Without A Trace(Repeat)
Sunday			The Oprah Winfrey Show

COLOUR KEY : Drama, Variety, News / Current Affairs , Reality, Comedy, Talk Shows

See also

• Hallmark Movie Channel
• List of programs broadcast by Hallmark Channel
• List of Hallmark Channel original films

External links

• US site
• Hallmark Channel Shop
• International site
• Sparrowhawk Broadcast Services - Hallmark Service provider in all countries