Hallmark Channel
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| Hallmark Channel | |
 |
|
|---|---|
| Owned by | Crown Media Holdings |
| Audience share | 0.6% (2006-01, Source:[1]) |
| Formerly called | VISN; Faith and Values Channel; Odyssey Channel |
| Website | hallmarkchannel.com |
| Availability | |
| Satellite | |
| Dish Network | Channels 185, 896 |
| DIRECTV | Channel 312 |
| Sky Angel | Channel 9729 |
| Sky Italia (Italy) | Channel 136 |
| Astro (Malaysia) | Channel 10 |
| Cable | |
| US cable systems | Check local listings |
| now TV (Hong Kong) | Channel 123 |
| StarhubSingapore | Channel 17 |
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.
Contents |
[edit] The Hallmark Channel USA
In America, the network began as a merger between VISN (the Vision Interfaith Satellite Network), and the ACTS Network. The combined network initially ran under both names, but was later named 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.
[edit] The Hallmark Channel Australia
In Australia, the channel supplements its United States programming with drama from Australia's largest producer of TV drama, Southern Star.
[edit] The Hallmark Channel UK
The British version of Hallmark runs mostly United States imports, including TV movies and drama such as House, Judging Amy, The District and the Law & Order franchise. The channel also runs the BBC drama Spooks.
[edit] The Hallmark Channel Italy
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.).
