Hallmark and DIRECTV Renew Deal

Lovers of Hallmark movies can rest at ease. Crown Media Holdings, the parent company of the Hallmark Movie Channel and the Hallmark Channel, has announced that they were able to reach an agreement with DIRECTV in order to continue broadcast of their family style movies which have become quite popular in the last few years. There had previously been an element of concern that the deal might not work out as Crown Media Holdings had up to 60% of their base up for renewal this year.

Despite the concern of analysts, Crown Media Holdings indicated that they were not concerned. Those concerns certainly seem to have been ill placed, considering the announcement that the distribution agreement which was eventually released is apparently a multi-year deal. In addition to the renewal, DIRECTV has also gained the privilege of being able to broadcast the Hallmark Movie Channel in standards as well as HD as part of the DIRECTV HD package, giving high-definition views an added bonus.

Estimates indicate that some 15 million subscribers of the nearly 17 million strong DIRECTV subscriber base receive the Hallmark Channel. The Hallmark Channel was originally launched in 2001 and since that time has become well known for its production of movies that are original and family oriented. One of the most well known movies produced by the network is Sarah, Plain and Tall; which continues to be a favorite. Estimates indicate that for the year 2008, the network will be producing 30 movies. This is the most movies Hallmark has ever produced to date. The network was actually the second cable network to be produced by Crown Media. Movies from the Hallmark Hall of Fame collection as well as mini-series are part of the quality entertainment provided by the network.

The launch of the HD version of the Hallmark Movie Channel is anticipated to take place during the month of April. It is anticipated to be a simulcast of the SD version of the network. In addition, major programming events are anticipated each quarter along with new Saturday night premiers.

The first premier scheduled for 2008 is a four-hour miniseries, Son of the Dragon. The program is based on the Thief of Baghdad and will star such well known names as David Carradine, Rupert Graves, John Reardon and Desiree Siahann. The program was originally produced for the network before plans were made for the new HD service; however, it is anticipated that the program will still fit into the HD version quite well due to the fact that it was already planned to be such a big film and was actually shot overseas, which is the perfect type of production to produce in high definition. It is expected that such future programming events will be planned to coincide with holidays such as the Fourth of July and Labor Day.

In addition to the new HD format, Saturday night premiers and quarterly program events, subscribers will also be able to benefit from the same family oriented movies that have appealed to a broad audience from the beginning.