HALLMARK CHANNEL INCREASES ORIGINAL MOVIE PRODUCTION AND SIGNS DEVELOPMENT DEALS WITH AWARD-WINNING PRODUCERS
2008 Line-up to Include 30 Original Movies
Hallmark Channel, the leading provider of family-friendly programming, is in development on more than 30 original movies scheduled to air in 2008, it was announced today by Henry Schleiff, President and CEO, Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel. This marks the network's largest-ever development slate of original movies in its history. As part of the programming expansion, the network is entering into production deals with some of the most prominent and distinguished producers in the television and film industries.
"The movies range from love stories to mysteries to westerns, but all have a singular distinguishing characteristic � family friendly. Hallmark Channel's strong brand appeal in this genre is evidenced by its consistent top ten ratings," said Schleiff. "In partnering with this prominent list of producers, we provide our audience with a variety of quality, emotionally connecting movies."
Hallmark Channel is in development and/or production deals with several award-winning producers, including Gerald Abrams ("Nuremberg"), Orly Adelson ("Ruffian") and Dan Wigutow ("Fatal Vision"). The first movie of the new slate has been completed. "When You Listen," executive produced by Abrams and starring Tom Bosley ("Happy Days"), premieres Saturday, January 5, 2008.
Hallmark Channel, owned and operated by Crown Media Holdings, Inc., is a 24-hour basic cable network that provides a diverse slate of high-quality entertainment programming to a national audience of 83 million subscribers. The top tier program service is distributed through more than 5,300 cable systems and communities as well as direct-to-home satellite services across the country. Hallmark Channel consistently ranks among the top 10 ad-supported cable networks in Prime Time and Total Day household ratings and is the nation's leading network in providing quality family programming. Crown Media also operates a second 24-hour linear channel, Hallmark Movie Channel.
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