April 22, 2025 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Hallmark Drama Network to Launch October 1

Hallmark Drama, a cable network that will evoke the spirit of Hallmark Hall of Fame, will launch Oct. 1, its parent company announced Thursday.

Hallmark Drama will have a wholly distinct lineup from Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries — Crown Media Family Networks’ existing networks — according to Bill Abbott, Crown Media’s president and CEO.

The new network will combine movies and series from Crown Media’s library of original dramatic content and original programming, Abbott said.

“Over the past several years, we have significantly expanded the original content lineups for both our networks — and it seems the more new programming we offer, the more viewers flock to our networks,” said Michelle Vicary, executive vice president, programming & network publicity, Crown Media Family Networks.

“While Hallmark Channel focuses on romantic, comedic fare and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries is rooted in the lighter side of the suspense genre, Hallmark Drama presents us an opportunity to further tap the Hallmark brand and give our audience even more of the engaging, family-friendly storytelling they have grown to expect and love.”

In other announcements:

— Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries will air 33 new Christmas movies in 2017, including consecutive nights of new movies nightly from Nov. 22-25. Round-the-clock holiday programming will air from Oct. 27 to Jan. 1.

Stars of the films include Candace Cameron Bure, Lacey Chabert, Danica McKellar, Catherine Bell, Alison Sweeney, Jack Wagner and Wendie Malick.

— An adaptation of the novel by “Today” weather and feature anchor Al Roker, “The Midnight Show Murders: A Billy Blessing Novel” starring Holly Robinson Peete will air on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries in 2018.

“The Midnight Show Murders” mystery revolves around a fictional television morning show of which Blessing (Robinson Peete) is the food anchor and owner of a successful bistro who becomes the main suspect in the murder of a network executive.

— Hallmark Movies & Mysteries will air “The Adjuster,” loosely based on the real-life experiences and professional work of strategist and crisis communications specialist Judy Smith, the inspiration for the ABC drama “Scandal.” Smith has a development deal with Hallmark Movies & Mysteries.

— Hallmark Channel announced it has ordered a fourth season of its most popular drama series, “The Good Witch,” which stars “JAG” alumna Catherine Bell, and a sixth season of the morning lifestyle series, “Home & Family.”

— The fifth season of the Hallmark Channel drama series, “When Calls the Heart” will begin with a two-hour sneak peek during the network’s “Countdown to Christmas.” Fifth-season episodes will begin airing on a weekly basis in February.

The announcements came in connection with the Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour, which is being held in Beverly Hills.

Photo from Runaway Island (2016)
Related Posts

Pepper Spray and Panic: LA Homeowners Targeted in Nighttime Burglaries

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

LAPD Hunts Suspects After One Resident Attacked in Beverly Grove Two separate home invasions late Friday night in Beverly Grove...

“We’re Better Than This”: Tour Business Owner Pleads for Protection After Third Burglary

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

Thieves hit Again, Stealing E-Bikes and Leaving a Wake of Damage in South La Cienega The frustrated owner of a...

Lawsuits Allege Insurance Giants Conspired to Undercut California Fire Victims

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

Two Lawsuits Accuse Top Carriers of Price-Fixing and Violating Antitrust Laws Attorneys representing homeowners impacted by California’s January wildfires have...

Cali Camp Welcomes Los Angeles Campers

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

By Susan Payne Roam streams, meadows and oak trees in the heart of rock-lined Topanga Canyon this summer at Cali...

Culver City Closes Streets for Earth Day to Encourage Green School Commutes

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

Pedal, Walk, or Roll: Culver City Schools Go Car-Free for Earth Day Culver City is taking its Earth Day celebration...

Mayor Karen Bass’ Budget Plan Proposes 1,647 Layoffs Amid $300M Liability Surge

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

Civilian LAPD Staff, Transportation, and Sanitation Departments Among Hardest Hit Mayor Karen Bass’ proposed city budget for the upcoming fiscal...

Santa Monica PD Makes Arrest in Ocean Front Walk Stabbing; Second Suspect Sought

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

Late-Night Stabbing in Santa Monica Prompts Manhunt After a shocking incident of violence in Santa Monica, a man has been...

ALPR Alerts Lead Culver City Police to Two Stolen Vehicles in Two Hours

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

Rapid-Response Tech Aids in Back-To-Back Arrests on Sepulveda Culver City police officers recovered two stolen vehicles within a two-hour period...

Registration is Open for Harvard-Westlake Summer Programs

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

By Susan Payne Summer programs at Harvard-Westlake are open for registration.  Participants can experience renowned programs in academics, visual arts,...

Los Angeles City Attorney Sues Over Illegal Rentals, Wildfire Price Gouging

April 20, 2025

April 20, 2025

City Attorney Seeks Permanent Ban and Millions in Penalties for Operators City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto has filed a civil...

Culver City Moves the Needle on Housing and Growth in Monthly Pipeline Update

April 20, 2025

April 20, 2025

Monthly Development Report Shows Increase in Affordable Housing Culver City officials have released the latest updates to their Residential and...

Multi-Concept Asian Restaurant Coming to Prime Sunset Strip Corner

April 20, 2025

April 20, 2025

Round 1 Delicious Inks Lease for Asian Dining Concept in WeHo West Hollywood will be the location for a high-end...

Hollywood Legend Raquel Welch’s Former Home Changes Hands in Beverly Glen

April 20, 2025

April 20, 2025

The Late Actress’s Longtime Residence Sold for $3.1 Million More than two years after Raquel Welch’s passing, the late actress’s...

Heads-Up, Westside: Downtown Santa Monica Traffic to Increase with Pali High Move

April 20, 2025

April 20, 2025

Santa Monica Braces for School Traffic Surge Following Wildfire Displacement Drivers throughout Westside communities, from Brentwood to Pacific Palisades, should...

Rents Stay Stable, but Economic Shifts Threaten the Balance

April 20, 2025

April 20, 2025

Tariffs and Tight Supply Could End Flat Rent Streak After more than a year of minimal fluctuation, asking rents, or...