A Hallmark of Family Programming

Feb 9, 2009

Click here to download a PDF of the Family Friendly report.



A Hallmark of Family Programming


Few TV entities have had as big an impact on the face of family-friendly programming as Hallmark Channel. And the cable network, along with its sister channel, Hallmark Movie Channel, are not expected to disappoint this year, either.

    Bill Abbott, executive vp/ad sales for Hallmark Channel, says the network will put out 30 original movies this year, which, he adds, account for about one-third of all original films on cable.

    Among the star-studded originals will be Before You Say "I Do" with David Sutcliffe, Jennifer Westfeldt and Lauren Holly on Feb. 14; Bound by a Secret with Meredith Baxter and Lesley Ann Warren on March 7 and Relative Stranger with Cicely Tyson and Eriq La Salle on March 14.

    Abbott notes that Hallmark's long-standing emphasis on family-friendly, multigenerational programming is a perfect counterpart to the Alliance's work.
    "You look around and see what's on TV and you realize that if it weren't for the Family Friendly Programming Forum we wouldn't have shows like Gilmore Girls," Abbott says, referring to the Alliance for Family Entertainment's original title. "We're excited about the fact that they're expanding to include cable TV and we can get more involved."

    Abbott also emphasized the importance of the Alliance's work from a business standpoint.

    "Some of our biggest clients are part of the Alliance, and we want to be supportive of their objectives just as they have been, and will continue to be, supportive of ours," he says.

For more Family Friendly coverage:
Not the Same as it Ever Was Part I
Not the Same as it Ever Was Part II
A Hallmark of Family Programming
Wii Are Family
ANA Group Heads into its Second Decade