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 100-year legacy that resonates with consumers.  Hallmark Channel has been one of the fastest-growing major ad-supported cable networks since its launch, and is seen in 90 million homes across the United States.  It has a stellar reputation and ratings which often rank the channel in the top 10 in Prime Time.  The network is presented fully in high definition (HD).

 

A staple to the network, Hallmark Channel’s original movies are characterized by strong storytelling through compelling themes and vibrant characters. Complementing its movie schedule, Hallmark Channel also presents a mix of popular television series, including “The Golden Girls,” “Cheers,” “Who’s The Boss,” “Touched by an Angel,” “Doc,” and beginning September 13, 2010, a new block of daytime programming from Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia.

 

Hallmark Channel continues to expand its offerings to viewers through its companion network, Hallmark Movie Channel.

Launched in April 2008, Hallmark Movie Channel in HD is simulcast alongside Hallmark Movie Channel SD, and offers audiences an unparalleled viewing experience. Hallmark Movie Channel, the fastest- growing cable TV network in 2009 and 2010 and now in 37 million homes, is a 24-hour digital cable network dedicated to bringing viewers family-friendly movies with a mix of classic theatrical films, presentations from the acclaimed Hallmark Hall of Fame library, Hallmark Channel Original Movies and special events.

 

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.

 

Crown Media Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRWN), owns and operates Hallmark Channels.

 

 

 

PROGRAMMING

 

Hallmark Channel Series

 

 

THE MARTHA STEWART SHOW

The 2010 Emmy® Award winner for Best Lifestyle Program, "The Martha Stewart Show" moves to Hallmark Channel every weekday beginning Monday, September 13 (10 – 11 a.m.). “The Martha Stewart Show,” filmed in New York City with a live studio audience, informs and inspires viewers on subjects from cooking and entertaining to crafting and gardening. Host Martha Stewart will chat with renowned chefs, seasoned artisans and designers, authors, collectors, entertainers and experts from all walks of life in this interactive format that celebrates Martha's sense of fun and love of teaching. There will be encore airings of “The Martha Stewart Show” 4 – 5 p.m. and 5 – 6 p.m. weekdays.

 

 

Whatever with Alexis & JennifeR

Beginning Monday, September 13 (11 a.m. – 12 p.m.), every weekday, the network will air an hour-long topical talk show, executive-produced by Emmy® Award-winning writer and director David Steinberg and hosted by Sirius XM’s “Whatever” hosts Alexis Stewart and Jennifer Koppelman Hutt. The show will have an intimate studio audience and provide a unique platform for the humorous duet to explore the daily headlines and everyday issues on the minds of viewers across the country. The home audience will be engaged through call-in and Skype-ing opportunities throughout the hour.

 

 

MAD HUNGRY WITH LUCINDA SCALA QUINN

Hallmark Channel will premiere “Mad Hungry with Lucinda Scala Quinn” beginning Monday, September 13 (12 - 12:30 p.m.), airing daily on weekdays. Lucinda Scala Quinn is the ubiquitous Executive Food Editor at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, host of the radio show “EatDrink” on Sirius XM and author of popular cookbooks including her most recent title, Mad Hungry: Feeding Men & Boys. Lucinda's goal with the show is to bring family back to the dinner table. She will reveal her tips on how she has conquered the challenge of whetting the appetites of her husband and three sons and helped them foster a love of cooking.

 

 

Hallmark Channel Original Movies

 

 

THE WISH LIST

Sarah Fischer (Jennifer Esposito, “Samantha Who?”) is tired of dating all the wrong men.  Taking a cue from her own organized, logical and somewhat boring lifestyle, she decides to make a mile-long list of all the qualities her perfect mate should have—right down to the look of his feet.  It isn’t long before Sarah bumps into Erik (Mark Deklin, “Better Off Ted”), a handsome, perfect-on-paper, doctor and they become inseparable.  At the same time, Sarah meets Fred (David Sutcliffe, “Private Practice”), the new, eccentric barista at her favorite coffee shop who is the opposite of all the qualifications Sarah’s list outlines.  As Sarah and Erik get more serious, she can’t help but be drawn to Fred and must decide whether to follow her list or follow her heart.  “The Wish List,” a Hallmark Channel Original Movie, premieres Saturday, August 28 (9 – 11 p.m.).

 

 

FAIRFIELD ROAD

Noah McManus (Jesse Metcalfe, “Desperate Housewives”) is leaving his job with the Boston mayor’s office for a dream gig in Washington, D.C. But in a single day, he finds out his new boss in Washington is a corrupt Senator who can no longer employ him and that his girlfriend has been cheating on him. Devastated, Noah travels to a quaint Cape Cod town and when he falls into the middle of a heated local election and finds a connection with Hailey (Natalie Lisinska, “Degrassi, The Next Generation”), the local bookshop owner, he unexpectedly finds himself at home. “Fairfield Road,” a Hallmark Channel Original Movie, premieres Saturday, September 11 (9 – 11 p.m.).

 

 

Growing the big one

Radio DJ Emma Silver (Shannen Doherty, “Beverly Hills, 90210”) is leading a chic life in Seattle when she finds out her beloved grandfather has died.  Traveling to Valleyville to take care of the details, Emma is stunned to learn her grandfather has left her his farm, along with a sizable amount of debt.  To keep the bank from foreclosing, Emma decides to follow in her grandfather’s footsteps and enter Valleyville’s annual pumpkin growing contest with his prized seeds.  She reluctantly teams up with her neighbor Seth (Kavan Smith, “Stargate:  Atlantis”) in hopes the prize money can save her farm and his business from going under.  As Emma works to adapt to farming, grow the biggest pumpkin and win the prize money, she may actually find the greatest prize is one she can’t put a price on.  “Growing the Big One,” a Hallmark Channel Original Movie, premieres Saturday, October 23 (9 – 11 p.m.).

 

 

A FAMILY THANKSGIVING

Claudia (Daphne Zuniga, “Melrose Place”) is an ambitious attorney striving to become partner at her law firm. But when Claudia has a run in with Gina (Academy Award^® winner Faye Dunaway, “Network”), a stranger who introduces herself as a Transpersonal Psychologist, Gina steps in providing Claudia an opportunity to see how the other half lives.  Bumping her head, Claudia wakes up in an alternate reality as a wife and mother of two.  She unexpectedly finds great joy in having a family and, after being pulled back into the real world, is far less fulfilled as a single woman living only for her career.  Realizing how much she is sacrificing, she sets a new direction in life to make room for love and family.  “A Family Thanksgiving,” a Hallmark Channel Original Movie, premieres Saturday, November 6 (9 – 11 p.m.).

 

 

The good witch’s gift

Catherine Bell (“Army Wives”) continues her role as the enchanting Cassie Nightingale in “The Good Witch’s Gift,” the third in the series from Hallmark Channel’s highly-rated original movies, “The Good Witch” and “The Good Witch’s Garden.”  Cassie Nightingale has settled comfortably in Middleton with a successful boutique and is now engaged to Sheriff Russell (Chris Potter, “Heartland”).  But with only two short weeks till Christmas, the Sheriff is desperate to find the perfect gift.  With no wedding date set, the Sheriff wants to give Cassie a family for Christmas this year and suggests they get married on Christmas Eve.  But, as usual, things don’t always happen as planned and Cassie must use a bit of magic to give her new family that special Christmas.  “The Good Witch’s Gift,” a Hallmark Channel Original Movie, premieres Saturday, November 13 (9 – 11 p.m.).

 

 

THE NIGHT BEFORE THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

Angela Fox (Jennifer Beals, “The L Word”) and her husband (Rick Roberts, “When Love is Not Enough:  The Lois Wilson Story”) are too busy with their jobs to pay attention to the Christmas season, let alone their two kids, Hannah and Toby.  The night before Christmas Eve, they are startled when Santa Claus crash-lands onto their roof, dropping his sleigh and reindeer in the backyard.  Santa hits his head in the fall and can’t remember anything about Christmas, including himself.  With Santa’s journey around the world in jeopardy of being cancelled, Toby, who still believes in the magic of Christmas, begs his family to get in the holiday spirit to help jog Santa’s memory.  As the fate of the holiday rests in their hands, the Foxes must work together to get Santa, and their family, back on track. “The Night Before The Night Before Christmas,” a Hallmark Channel Original Movie, premieres Saturday, November 20 (9 – 11 p.m.).

 

 

Hallmark Channel Film Premireres

 

 

HACHI: A DOG'S TALE

When his master, Parker Wilson (Richard Gere, “Nights in Rodanthe”), dies, a loyal pooch named Hachiko keeps a regular vigil -- for more than a decade -- at the train station where he once greeted the man every day. Based on a true story, Hachiko’s faithful routine teaches the station’s patrons about true love and commitment. Joan Allen (“The Bourne Ultimatum”) and Jason Alexander (“Seinfeld”) also star in the world television premiere of “Hachi: A Dog’s Tale,” Sunday, September 26 (9 – 11 p.m.).

 

 

Hallmark Movie Channel Original Premieres

 

 

AFTER THE FALL

Twenty-two-year-old Jenna Danville (Andrea Bowen, “Desperate Housewives”) is at the height of her equestrian career when she is thrown from her horse during a big competition. Knocked unconscious and into a coma, Jenna eventually wakes up in the hospital and the doctors tell her she may never walk again. With her protective single father, Philip (Greg Evigan, “My Two Dads”), at her side, she decides to enter into an intense physical therapy program as part of a research study, with no guarantee of success. Lonely and frustrated, Jenna comes close to giving up until she befriends Annie (Fiona Dourif, “Deadwood”), a skull-wearing, heavy-metal-loving patient in her therapy class. Jenna also meets her new next-door neighbor, ex-rodeo cowboy Will Dutton (Rick Malambri, “Step Up 3-D”), who encourages her to get back on her horse. Just as Jenna is beginning to feel her feet, and fall in love with Will, she learns Annie is in more trouble than anyone could have guessed. Suddenly, Jenna must risk her own life to save her friend, and teach herself healing takes one step at a time. “After the Fall,” a Hallmark Movie Channel Original, premieres Saturday, October 9 (8 – 10 p.m.).

 

 

Hallmark Movie Channel Film Premieres

 

 

the misadventures of merlin jones

Merlin Jones (Tommy Kirk, “The Shaggy Dog”) is a gifted, but slightly oddball student who, accompanied by his girlfriend Jennifer (Annette Funicello, “Babes in Toyland”), sets out on a series of comic misadventures.  From trying to solve what appears to be a horrendous burglary and murder plot to having a chimp-napping charge pinned on him, no one is exempt from Merlin's wacky sense of oddball adventure. The Hallmark Movie Channel Premiere of “The Misadventures of Merlin Jones” is Friday, August 20 (6 – 8 p.m.).

 

 

DISNEY’S THE KID

When 40-year-old Russ (Bruce Willis, “Die Hard”), magically comes face to face with Rusty (Spencer Breslin, “The Cat in the Hat”), his 8-year-old self, each sees traits in the other that they would like to change.  As Russ learns to recapture his childhood dreams, he tries to help Rusty through what he remembers as a difficult childhood.  The Hallmark Movie Channel Premiere of "Disney's The Kid" is Friday, September 3 (6 - 8 p.m.).

 

 

guarding tess

After the president of the United States dies in office, the country’s favorite First Lady, Tess Carlisle (Shirley MacLaine, “Terms of Endearment”), retires to her sleepy Ohio hometown, where one of the few constants in her life is Secret Service agent Doug Chesnic (Nicolas Cage, “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice”). An ambitious, dedicated agent who served in the Carlisle White House, Doug now heads the seven-man Secret Service detail guarding Tess. Although Doug yearns to be in the thick of action and danger, he instead finds himself stuck in a small Midwestern town where Tess keeps him on the run, if only to bring her breakfast in bed. Nothing in the agency’s training manual prepared Doug for this kind of duty, and he finally rebels, triggering a comic battle of wills with the very person he’s sworn to protect.  The Hallmark Movie Channel premiere of “Guarding Tess” is Thursday, September 16 (10 p.m. – 12 a.m.).

 

 

*All times are ET/PT.