Hallmark Channel
TV channel|
name= Hallmark Channel|
logosize=|
logofile=Hallmark_Channel.gif|
logoalt=Hallmark Channel Logo|
launch=|
closed date=|
share=0.6% |
share as of= 2006-01 |
share source= [
1]| owner=
Crown Media Holdings |
former names= VISN; Faith and Values Channel; Odyssey Channel |
replaced names=|
sister names=|
timeshift names=|
web=
www.hallmarkchannel.com |
availability note|
terr serv 1=|
terr chan 1=|
terr serv 2=|
terr chan 2=|
sat serv 1=
Dish Network|
sat chan 1=Channels 185, 896|
sat serv 2=
DIRECTV|
sat chan 2=Channel 312|
sat serv 3=
Sky Angel|
sat chan 3=Channel 9729|
sat serv 4=
Sky Italia (
Italy)|
sat chan 4=Channel 136|
cable serv 1=|
cable chan 1=|}}
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.
Sparrowhawk Media Group operates
The Hallmark Channel in the
UK, which was one of that country's top five cable/satellite broadcasters.
In
America, the network was previously known as
VISN, later renamed 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,
Family Ties,
Bewitched, and
Judging Amy, have rerun briefly on the network. Hallmark began airing its own weekday morning show entitled
New Morning in 2002 and added a Sunday morning version hosted by
Naomi Judd entitled
Naomi's New Morning in 2005.
In
Australia, the channel supplements its
United States programming with drama from Australia's largest producer of
TV drama,
Southern Star.
The
British version of Hallmark runs mostly
United States imports, including
TV movies and
drama such as
House MD,
Judging Amy,
The District and the
Law & Order franchise. The channel also runs the
BBC drama
Spooks.
The
Italian Hallmark Channel channel is a family-friendly one. It broadcasts
United States imports, like
Judging Amy or
7th Heaven as well as other family series (like
McLeod's Daughters, etc.).
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Official Site
