Hallmark Channel
From Free net encyclopedia
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. They are owned by Crown Media Holdings, which, in turn, is majority-owned by Hallmark Cards. Another Crown Media Holdings subsidiary, Crown Entertainment, operates The Hallmark Channel in the UK, which is one of that country's top five cable/satellite broadcasters.
The United States Hallmark Channel
In America, the network was previously known as 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. Hallmark Entertainment and The Jim Henson Company bought stakes in Odyssey in November 1998. The channel was officially renamed on August 5, 2001.
Today, Hallmark specializes in airing made-for-television movies and miniseries which were first aired on CBS under the title Hallmark Hall of Fame. Older shows, such as Bonanza, Little House on the Prairie, M*A*S*H, Matlock, Perry Mason, Quincy, M.E., and Walker, Texas Ranger are rerun many times a day and replaced the religious programming that aired on the channel for over a decade. Diagnosis Murder started airing in January 2006. Other shows, such as JAG and Judging Amy, have failed on the network.
The Australian Hallmark Channel
In Australia, the channel supplements its US programming with drama from Australia's largest producer of TV drama, Southern Star.