ABOUT US
Hallmark Channel is the quintessential 24-hour television destination for family-friendly programming and a leader in the production of original movies. The network launched in 2001 and brings to audiences a brand with a 50-plus year legacy that resonates with consumers. Hallmark Channel is the fastest-growing major ad-supported cable network since its launch, and its strong ratings consistently rank the channel in the top 10 in Prime Time. Hallmark Channel is seen in 84 million homes across the U.S. and has developed a stellar reputation for keeping viewers engaged and entertained.
A staple to the network, Hallmark’s original movies are characterized by strong storytelling through compelling themes and vibrant characters. The network is in production on more than 30 original movies scheduled to air in 2008 – its largest-ever slate. Rounding out its schedule, Hallmark also airs a mix of popular television series, including “7th Heaven,” “Murder, She Wrote,” “M*A*S*H,” “Walker, Texas Ranger” and “Little House on the Prairie.”
Hallmark Channel continues to expand its offerings to viewers through its companion network, Hallmark Movie Channel, available in both standard definition (SD), and in high definition (HD). Crown Media Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRWN) owns and operates the networks.
Hallmark Channel, along with its sibling network Hallmark Movie Channel, serves as the exclusive cable home to the prestigious Hallmark Hall of Fame library, the longest-running and most-awarded movie series in television’s history.
Launched on April 2, Hallmark Movie Channel HD is simulcast alongside Hallmark Movie Channel SD, and offers audiences an unparalleled viewing experience. Hallmark Movie Channel, the second linear channel from Crown Media, is a 24-hour digital cable network dedicated to bringing viewers the very best family movies of all time with a mix of classic theatrical films, presentations from the acclaimed Hallmark Hall of Fame library – airing in their original Sunday night, 8-10 p.m., broadcast timeslot – original Hallmark Channel movies and special events.
Hallmark Movie Channel HD exists at a time of high demand from distribution partners hungry for family-friendly content amidst the threat of government regulation, and utilizes the latest technology available to programmers and audiences.
PROGRAMMING
Hallmark Channel Series
HALLMARK HEROES
With the help of Regis Philbin (“Live with Regis & Kelly”), Hallmark Channel will honor four deserving individuals in an inspiring and heartwarming one hour special. The hour will include interviews with each of our special guests as well as stories highlighting the amazing contributions they have made. With emotions running high, Regis will surprise each individual with a prize that will allow and enhance the amazing work they do for others. “Hallmark Heroes” makes its Hallmark Channel debut Friday, June 27 (9-10 p.m.).
Hallmark Channel Original Movies
A GUNFIGHTER’S PLEDGE
When ex-lawman Matt Austin (Luke Perry, “John from Cincinnati”) accidentally kills an innocent man while hunting Tate (Kim Coates, “Prison Break”), an outlaw who killed his family, Austin pledges to the dying man that he will return his body to his sister, Amaya (Jaclyn DeSantis, “Windfall”), at their family farm. Once there, he becomes embroiled in a dispute between Amaya and Horn (C.Thomas Howell, “24”), a landowner and businessman who is trying to force Amaya to sell him her land by any means necessary. Unbeknownst to Austin, Horn has hired Tate as part of a vicious posse, leading to an inevitable showdown with lives and livelihoods hanging in the balance. “A Gunfighter’s Pledge” premieres Saturday, July 5 (9-11 p.m.).
EVERY SECOND COUNTS
Helen, a teenaged girl (Magda Apanowicz, “Kyle XY”) sets out to make her father (Stephen Collins, “7th Heaven”), a former penning rodeo champ, proud by following in his footsteps and proving herself a star on the rodeo circuit. However, when her horse is injured and her father faces financial problems, all is put on the line. “Every Second Counts” premieres Saturday, July 12 (9-11 p.m.).
Feature Film Premieres
Hallmark Channel
THE VALLEY OF LIGHT
World War II veteran Noah Locke (Chris Klein, “American Pie”) returns home at the end of the war to find his parents have died, his younger brother is in prison and the family farm has been sold. Feeling lost in the world, Noah wanders the rural roads of North Carolina in search of a place to belong. Led by a mysterious stranger to a small mountain community, he meets and befriends Matthew (Zach Mills, “October Road”), a mute boy and Eleanor (Gretchen Mol, “Rounders”), a young widow. Noah and Eleanor are two lonely souls who develop a strong bond to one another. But when tragedy strikes the community, Noah must decide if he truly belongs in the valley of light. “The Valley of Light,” a Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation, makes its Hallmark Channel debut Saturday, June 7 (9-11 p.m.).
HEAVYWEIGHTS
School's out for the summer, and Gerry (Aaron Schwartz, “The Mighty Ducks”) eagerly forecasts weeks of lazing around the house. That is, until his parents inform him that they have signed him up for a holiday at Camp Hope, a "fat camp" that, unbeknownst to Gerry, has been taken over by a tyrannical fitness instructor (Ben Stiller, “Night at the Museum”). When the kids decide they're sick of the endless weeks of "all work and no play," Gerry and his friends stage a coup and reclaim their summer of fun. “Heavyweights” makes its Hallmark Channel debut Saturday, June 21 (6-8 p.m.).
BACK WHEN WE WERE GROWN UPS
Since her husband's death after only six years of marriage, Rebecca (Blythe Danner, “Huff”) has single-handedly raised his three ever-challenging and now adult daughters, as well as one of her own. Rebecca also inherited her husband's uncle, 99-year-old Poppy (Jack Palance, “City Slickers”). After many years, she's not really sure about her standing in this bizarre family. As she questions how her life might have been different if she hadn't jilted her former boyfriend, Will (Peter Fonda, “Ghost Rider”), for her husband, Rebecca decides to contact him. Seeing Will, who is now a divorced college professor living a structured life, only adds to Rebecca's dilemma. As her family life continues to swirl around her, Rebecca begins to understand how much they rely on her and, in their own unique way, truly appreciate her. Faye Dunaway also stars in this Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation, making its Hallmark Channel debut Saturday, June 28 (9-11 p.m.).
Hallmark Movie Channel
HARD GROUND
It's the late 1800's, Sheriff Hutch (Bruce Dern, “Big Love”) arranges for prison inmate McKay (Burt Reynolds, “Mystery, Alaska”) to be released if he agrees to help him track down a recently escaped felon named Bucklin (David Figlioli, “Dirt”). As McKay and Hutch race to catch up with the young deputy Joshua (Seth Peterson, “Burn Notice”) who is on Bucklin's trail, we come to understand that Joshua is McKay's son and Hutch is McKay's brother-in-law; McKay is getting a second chance at freedom and at being a father. “Hard Ground” makes its Hallmark Movie Channel premiere Friday, May 23 (10 p.m.- 12 midnight).
QUIGLEY DOWN UNDER
Quigley (Tom Selleck, “Las Vegas), an American sharpshooter from the Old West, travels to the untamed wilderness of the Australian outback after answering an advertisement calling for a man handy with a rifle. Once in Australia, Quigley discovers that he's been hired by a despicable landowner named Marston (Alan Rickman, “Harry Potter”) who, with the government's support, wants him to eradicate the area's aboriginal population. Furious, Quigley throws the wealthy despot out a nearby window -- and thus begins a heated vendetta by the spurned Marston to exact deadly revenge against the outsider. “Quigley Down Under” makes its Hallmark Movie Channel premiere Sunday, May 25 (6-8 p.m.).
THE TENTH MAN
While imprisoned by the Germans during the occupation, a French advocate (Anthony Hopkins, “Beowulf”) trades his material possessions for his life with another prisoner when condemned to the firing squad. Derek Jacobi (“The Golden Compass”) and Kristin Scott Thomas (“Gosford Park”) costar in this Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation, making its Hallmark Movie Channel debut Saturday, June 7 (10 p.m.- 12 midnight).
HEARTS IN ATLANTIS (2001)
In the summer of 1960, young Bobby Garfield (Anton Yelchin, “Huff”) is sharing adventures with his best friends when an enigmatic loner named Ted Brautigan (Anthony Hopkins, “Beowulf”) rents a room in his family's boarding house. Bobby's self-absorbed, widowed mother Liz (Hope Davis, “Proof”) couldn't care less about her son, so Bobby turns to the otherworldly Ted, becoming his confidante. Soon, Bobby learns that Ted possesses supernatural gifts, has a haunted past, and is being pursued by sinister men whose intentions are unclear. “Hearts in Atlantis” makes its Hallmark Movie Channel premiere Saturday, June 21 (4-6 p.m.).
THE READING ROOM
William Campbell (James Earl Jones, “Click”) gets a second chance at family when he devotes his time and energy to carrying out his wife's dying wish -- to take their extensive book collection and open a free reading room in the inner city neighborhood where he was raised. William is surprised that he is not greeted warmly, yet he continues to reach out to the children through a love of reading and learning. William begins to understand that his wife's true dying wish for him is what he would need most-- a family. Georg Stanford Brown and Joanna Cassidy also star in “The Reading Room,” a Hallmark Channel original movie, premiering on Hallmark Movie Channel Wednesday, June 25 (10 p.m.- 12 midnight).
*All times are ET/PT.
