Hallmark Channel


The CW expands Canadian scripted push, adding cancelled Hallmark drama ‘Ride’

The CW has picked up Hallmark’s cancelled western drama Ride as the US network continues to populate its service with acquired Canadian scripted series. Ride was originally broadcast on the Hallmark Channel last spring and cancelled after one season. The series joins other Canadian dramas, such as The Spencer Sisters, Moonshine and comedy series Son […]

Hallmark & CTV Drama join ‘Ride’ from John Morayniss firm Blink49 & Seven24

Hallmark Channel in the US has partnered with Canada’s CTV Drama Channel to greenlight a drama from Endeavor Content-backed Blink49 Studios and Family Law prodco Seven24 Films. Ride is based on a script by husband and wife writing team Rebecca Boss & Chris Masi (Our Kind of People), who are showrunners and executive producers with Sherri […]

Reel One appoints Hallmark, Lifetime alum

LA-based producer and distributor Reel One Entertainment has appointed a former Hallmark Channel and Lifetime Channel executive to oversee its scripted programming. Barbara Fisher becomes executive VP of scripted content and will be based in the company’s LA office, reporting to CEO Tom Berry. She will oversee all of Reel One’s development and production activities […]

Hallmark Channel goes private

Hallmark has acquired the chunk of Crown Media it did not own and taken the business private. Crown’s assets include the Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries and greetings card specialist Hallmark paid about US$175 million for the 10% of the business it did not already control. Crown’s first quarter conference call was scheduled […]

FremantleMedia hires cable veteran as Buzzr channel chief

FremantleMedia North America’s upcoming game show network Buzzr TV has a general manager. Ron Garfield has been hired as executive VP and GM to oversee the digital multicast network, which launches in 17 markets in the US this summer. It will have a portfolio of more than 40,000 hours of game shows from the FMNA […]

Hallmark Channel parent creates in-house prodco

The parent company of Hallmark Channel has launched an in-house production unit aimed at upping the group’s original content efforts. Crown Media Family Networks, which also operates Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, has created Crown Media Productions. Michelle Vicary (pictured) will lead the LA-based division, which will produce up to six telemovies in 2015 that will […]

Margaret Loesch to exit Discovery kids network The Hub

Margaret Loesch is exiting her role as president and CEO of US children’s TV network The Hub, which Discovery Communications operates with toyco Hasbro. Loesch has been at the top of the cabsat network since its launch four years ago, but will step down when her contract finishes at the end of the year. She […]

Brightlight hires Hovan, Suelzle

Canadian production company Brightlight Pictures has appointed a new COO and a VP for finance, news that comes after the departure of co-founder Stephen Hegyes last year. David Hovan has become COO, while Alexander Suelzle has taken on the role of VP, finance. In November last year, film and TV producer Brightlight said goodbye to […]

TW Cable launches live mobile TV for Apple devices

US cable operator Time Warner Cable is adding live programming and video-on-demand outside the home to its apps for iPads and iPhones for the first time. The cable operator will offer selected video-on-demand and live programming from today, accessible over any WiFi connection. Over 1,100 hours of on-demand shows and movies from 26 networks and […]