Editing Hallmark Channel (section)

=== Focus on seasonal programming ===
In the 2014–15 season, ''Hallmark Hall of Fame'' premieres moved exclusively to Hallmark Channel, with up to four new films scheduled per-year.<ref name="mch">{{cite news |last1=Umstead |first1=R. Thomas |date=September 12, 2014 |title=Hallmark Hall Of Fame Films To Move To Hallmark Channel |language=en |periodical=[[Multichannel News]] |publisher=[[NewBay Media]] |url=http://www.multichannel.com/news/content/halmmark-hall-fame-films-move-hallmark-channel/383801 |url-status=live |access-date=January 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200401050307/http://www.multichannel.com/news/content/halmmark-hall-fame-films-move-hallmark-channel/383801 |archive-date=April 1, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Stanhope |first1=Kate |date=August 8, 2016 |title=Hallmark Channel at 15: Network Chiefs on Mariah Carey, Martha Stewart and Biggest Misconceptions |language=en |work=The Hollywood Reporter |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/hallmark-channel-at-15-network-chiefs-mariah-carey-martha-stewart-biggest-misconceptions-916340 |url-status=live |access-date=January 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180112100927/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/hallmark-channel-at-15-network-chiefs-mariah-carey-martha-stewart-biggest-misconceptions-916340 |archive-date=January 12, 2018}}</ref> Two new series, ''[[Good Witch (TV series)|Good Witch]]'' and ''[[Signed, Sealed, Delivered (TV series)|Signed, Sealed, Delivered]]'', were picked up for the 2014–15 season.<ref name="aa0">{{cite news |last1=Poggi |first1=Jeanine |date=March 13, 2014 |title=Hallmark Channel Promises Two Weeks of Wall-to-Wall Valentine's Day |language=en |work=Ad Age |publisher=Crain Communications |url=http://adage.com/article/special-report-tv-upfront/hallmark-upfront-kittens-valentine-s-event/292151/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215083826/http://adage.com/article/special-report-tv-upfront/hallmark-upfront-kittens-valentine-s-event/292151/ |archive-date=February 15, 2018}}</ref> In February 2015, Hallmark Channel held an inaugural "Countdown to [[Valentine's Day|Valentine's]]" event to build off the success of Countdown to Christmas, featuring four movie premieres.<ref name="aa0" />

In 2015, [[Mariah Carey]] directed and starred in a Christmas movie for Hallmark. She also hosted ''Mariah Carey's Merriest Christmas'', which was the channel's most-viewed show. Thus in May 2016, Carey signed a three-film deal for her to develop, executive-produce, direct, co-star, and write an original song for three movies with one for "Countdown to Valentine's Day".<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Robinson|first1=Will|title=Mariah Carey is making movies (and music) for the Hallmark Channel|url=https://ew.com/article/2016/05/23/mariah-carey-hallmark-channel-deal/|access-date=February 15, 2018|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=May 23, 2016|language=en|archive-date=February 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215084243/http://ew.com/article/2016/05/23/mariah-carey-hallmark-channel-deal/|url-status=live}}</ref> The channel's first "Winterfest" seasonal programming was in January 2016.<ref name="bww">{{cite press release |date=January 7, 2016 |title=Hallmark Channel's First-Ever Winterfest Programming Event is Ratings Hit |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/Hallmark-Channels-First-Ever-Winterfest-Programming-Event-is-Ratings-Hit-20160107 |url-status=live |type=Press release |publisher=Crown Media Family Networks |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180220092342/https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/Hallmark-Channels-First-Ever-Winterfest-Programming-Event-is-Ratings-Hit-20160107 |archive-date=February 20, 2018 |access-date=February 19, 2018 |via=Broadway World }}</ref> At its March 2016 [[Upfront (advertising)|upfronts]], Hallmark Channel executives revealed that they planned to divide their programming into themed seasons year-round, to build upon the success of Countdown to Christmas and other franchises.<ref name="mdn">{{cite news|last1=Buckman|first1=Adam|title=Hallmark Upfront Emphasizes Family-Friendly Programming, Focus On Holidays|url=https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/272491/hallmark-upfront-emphasizes-family-friendly-progra.html|access-date=February 20, 2018|work=Media Daily News|date=March 31, 2016|language=en|archive-date=February 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180221095952/https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/272491/hallmark-upfront-emphasizes-family-friendly-progra.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On October 20, 2016, Hallmark Channel and the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries channel were added to the Sling TV service. On November 15, 2017, PlayStation Vue added Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, and Hallmark Drama to its lineup.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cordcuttersnews.com/playstation-vue-adds-hallmark-channel-hallmark-drama-hallmark-movies/|title=PlayStation Vue Adds The Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Drama, & Hallmark Movies|date=November 15, 2017|work=Cord Cutters News|access-date=December 15, 2017|first=Luke|last=Bouma|archive-date=December 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215111458/http://www.cordcuttersnews.com/playstation-vue-adds-hallmark-channel-hallmark-drama-hallmark-movies/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In October 2017, Hallmark Channel launched a new, [[over-the-top content|over-the-top]] subscription service known as [[Hallmark Movies Now]], which features new and existing original content from the network.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.multichannel.com/news/hallmark-drama-channel-launches-headwinds-linear-networks-415624 |title=Hallmark Drama Channel Launches Into Headwinds for Linear Networks |first=R. Thomas |last=Umstead |work=Multichannel |date=October 2, 2017 |access-date=November 15, 2018 |archive-date=November 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181115113126/https://www.multichannel.com/news/hallmark-drama-channel-launches-headwinds-linear-networks-415624 |url-status=live }}</ref> In October 2018, the three Hallmark linear channels were added to streaming service [[Philo (company)|Philo]].

In November 2017, the channel beat all four major broadcast networks in the ratings one night with its ''Hallmark Hall of Fame'' movie, ''The Christmas Train''.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Holmes|first1=Linda|title=Made-For-TV Christmas Movies Are Big Business For The Hallmark Channel|url=https://www.npr.org/2017/12/17/571443655/made-for-tv-christmas-movies-are-big-business-for-the-hallmark-channel|access-date=February 17, 2018|work=Weekend Edition Sunday|publisher=NPR.org|date=December 17, 2017|archive-date=February 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180218090432/https://www.npr.org/2017/12/17/571443655/made-for-tv-christmas-movies-are-big-business-for-the-hallmark-channel|url-status=live}}</ref> In March 2019, Hallmark announced it had dropped [[Lori Loughlin]] from future company projects due to her role in the [[2019 college admissions bribery scandal]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2019/03/14/lori-loughlin-dropped-hallmark-college-admissions-scandal/3166111002/ |title=Lori Loughlin fired by Hallmark after admissions scandal; Olivia Jade dropped by sponsors |newspaper=USA Today |date=March 14, 2019 |first=Leora |last=Arnowitz |access-date=March 15, 2019 }}</ref>

In December 2019, the channel stopped airing advertisements for the online wedding registry [[Zola (company)|Zola.com]] that included two brides kissing each other, because of complaints that it was [[lesbian]]s kissing and promoted [[same-sex marriage]]s. A main complainant was [[One Million Moms]], a division of the socially conservative [[American Family Association]], which has been described as an [[List of anti-LGBTQ hate groups|anti-LGBTQ hate group]] by the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]]. Similar advertisements with heterosexual couples kissing were not pulled.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/13/style/hallmark-channel-ads.html|title=Hallmark Channel Pulls Zola Ads Featuring Brides Kissing|last=Murphy|first=Heather|date=2019-12-13|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-12-14|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=December 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214034439/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/13/style/hallmark-channel-ads.html|url-status=live}}</ref> As a result, social media users called for a boycott of the channel,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/hallmark-channel-lesbian-kiss-american-family-association_n_5df56b56e4b047e8889e3ea0|title=Hallmark Yanks Same-Sex Wedding Ads After Conservative Group Pushback|date=2019-12-14|work=Huffington Post|access-date=2019-12-14|first=Mary|last=Papenfuss|archive-date=December 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191215090616/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/hallmark-channel-lesbian-kiss-american-family-association_n_5df56b56e4b047e8889e3ea0|url-status=live}}</ref> while competitors like [[Netflix]] and the [[The Walt Disney Company|Disney]]-owned [[Freeform (TV channel)|Freeform]] cable channel responded by touting their [[LGBTQ]] inclusivity.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.advocate.com/television/2019/12/15/amid-hallmark-boycott-queer-inclusive-freeform-tells-zola-call-us|title=Amid Hallmark Boycott Queer-inclusive Freeform Tells Zola, 'Call Us'|date=2019-12-15|website=www.advocate.com|language=en|access-date=2019-12-15|archive-date=December 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191215210037/https://www.advocate.com/television/2019/12/15/amid-hallmark-boycott-queer-inclusive-freeform-tells-zola-call-us|url-status=live}}</ref> On December 15, Hallmark reversed its decision and said it would reinstate the advertisements and work with [[GLAAD]], an LGBTQ media monitoring organization, to create more inclusive programming.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/97aa3098502ea48ef087f03ccdc29396|title=In reversal, Hallmark will reinstate same-sex marriage ads|date=2019-12-15|website=AP NEWS|access-date=2019-12-16|archive-date=December 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216063217/https://apnews.com/97aa3098502ea48ef087f03ccdc29396|url-status=live}}</ref> The series finale of ''[[Good Witch (TV series)|Good Witch]]'', which aired in July 2021, featured the first lesbian kiss in a Hallmark production.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kelleher |first1=Patrick |title=Good Witch finale's heart-stopping same-sex kiss is history-making for the Hallmark Channel |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/07/26/hallmark-good-witch-lesbian-kiss/ |website=Pink News |date=July 26, 2021 |access-date=24 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Ermac |first1=Raffy |title=Hallmark Channel Finally Aired a History-Making Same-Sex Kiss |url=https://www.out.com/television/2021/7/27/hallmark-channel-finally-aired-history-making-same-sex-kiss |website=Out.com |date=July 27, 2021 |access-date=24 September 2021}}</ref>

Abbott quietly and abruptly stepped down as president of Hallmark Channel in February 2020;<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mallenbaum |first=Carly |title=Hallmark Channel exec steps down without explanation, one month after same-sex ad flap |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2020/01/22/hallmark-exec-steps-down-month-after-same-sex-ad-controversy/4547775002/ |access-date=2020-02-06 |website=USA Today |language=en-US}}</ref> the following year, a group led by Abbott acquired the [[Southern United States|Southern]] lifestyle channel [[Great American Country]] (GAC) from [[Discovery, Inc.]] to relaunch it as a direct competitor to Hallmark, [[Great American Family]]. The channel has emulated the programming strategies that were mounted by Hallmark Channel under Abbott, and has also leveraged talent who had been associated with the channel's original productions.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Schwartz |first1=Ryan |date=April 19, 2022 |title=Hallmark Vet Candace Cameron Bure Makes Move to GAC Family, to Develop 'Family and Faith-Filled Programming' |url=https://tvline.com/2022/04/19/candace-cameron-bure-leaving-hallmark-channel-gac-family-christmas-movies/ |access-date=April 22, 2022 |website=TVLine}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Goldsmith|first=Jill|date=June 7, 2021|title=Discovery Sells Great American Country To Investor Group With Former Crown Media Chief Bill Abbott As CEO|url=https://deadline.com/2021/06/discovery-great-american-country-bill-abbott-1234770516/|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=June 7, 2021}}</ref>

On October 31, 2022, Hallmark announced a distribution agreement with [[NBCUniversal]], under which live and on-demand programming from its networks would be available to [[Peacock (streaming service)|Peacock]] subscribers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Earl |first=William |date=October 31, 2022 |title=Peacock Pacts With Hallmark for Branded Streaming Hub |url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/peacock-hallmark-movies-christmas-branded-hub-1235418523/ |access-date=November 12, 2022 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rice |first=Lynette |date=October 31, 2022 |title=Peacock Will Start Streaming Hallmark Programming |url=https://deadline.com/2022/10/peacock-streaming-hallmark-programming-christmas-movies-1235159080/ |access-date=November 12, 2022 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>