Hallmark Movie Channel HD to Launch in Q1 2008

Schleiff Pitches New Network as Family-Friendly Content

By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 8/8/2007 11:48:00 AM

Hallmark Channel is looking to put its stamp on the HD world, as well.

The family-oriented cable network said it will launch its first high-definition channel, Hallmark Movie Channel HD, in the first quarter of 2008.

The channel will be an HD simulcast of the company's existing Hallmark Movie Channel, which airs a mix of original films, miniseries and library product.

The channel will feature a Hallmark Hall of Fame-branded Friday-night movie, Saturday premieres and a quarterly "event," the first being David Carradine (Kung Fu) starring in Son of the Dragon.

As with Hallmark Channel, president Henry Schleiff is pitching the new HD channel as family-friendly content "amidst the threat of government regulation."

http://broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6466608.html

Anyone know Hallmark's mix between shot on film (or HD video) content versus content that was shot or edited on standard def video? I wonder if this channel will have more or less real HD content than A&E?

The more HD the better,

Even if it is in the Lifetime Channel genre.

However:

Crown Media Holdings Announces Renewal of Distribution Agreement with Comcast Corporation

November 29, 2007 8:30 AM ET

Crown Media Holdings, Inc. CRWN, owner and operator of Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel, today announced it has renewed its distribution agreement for Hallmark Channel with Comcast Corporation for a multi-year term. Under the new deal, Comcast systems will have the right to distribute Hallmark Channel and both the standard definition and high definition versions of Hallmark Movie Channel. Hallmark Movie Channel plans to launch an HD version in March 2008.

"We are delighted to announce this early renewal of our affiliation agreement with Comcast because, as the nation's largest cable distributor, they are one of Hallmark Channel's most important partners in contributing to our ability to continue to provide quality family friendly programming," said Henry Schleiff, President and CEO, Crown Media Holdings, Inc. "Clearly, this agreement reflects both Comcast's and Hallmark Channel's emphasis on quality, fair price and service to our respective subscribers and viewers. On a personal note, I would add that our ability to reach a mutually satisfactory agreement should indicate that regardless of size or other factors, parties who operate in good faith can reach fair agreements without outside help or intervention."

"Comcast is pleased to announce that it has renewed its affiliation agreement with one of the nation's leading providers of family friendly programming," said Madison Bond, Executive Vice President of Content Acquisition, Comcast Corporation. "Hallmark Channel is a highly-rated network with original movies and classic series all delivered at a fair and reasonable price. Our goal is to serve the best interests of our subscribers and there are few networks that offer them better programming or value than Hallmark Channel."

http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/ticker/article.aspx?Feed=BW&Date=20071129&ID=7873223&Symbol=CRWN

Crown Media Holdings Announces Renewal of Distribution Agreement with DIRECTV

STUDIO CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Crown Media Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRWN), owner and operator of Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel, today announced it has renewed its distribution agreement for Hallmark Channel with DIRECTV, Inc., for a multi-year term. DIRECTV currently distributes Hallmark Channel to nearly 15 million homes.

Additionally, DIRECTV will have the right to distribute the Standard Definition and High Definition versions of Hallmark Movie Channel.

“We are very happy to announce this renewal of our affiliation agreement with DIRECTV, the second-largest distributor of our programming and one of Crown Media’s most important partners in contributing to our ability to provide quality family friendly programming,” said Henry Schleiff, President and CEO, Crown Media Holdings, Inc. “Clearly, this agreement reflects both DIRECTV’s and Crown Media’s emphasis on quality, fair price and service to our respective subscribers and viewers. On a personal note, I would like to add that we particularly appreciated not only DIRECTV’s fair treatment of Hallmark Channel but also, frankly, their willingness to go the extra mile in closing this agreement in such a timely manner."

“Hallmark Channel continues to be an important programming staple for DIRECTV families and we’re pleased to extend our relationship,” said Derek Chang, executive vice president, Content Strategy and Development, DIRECTV, Inc. “Crown Media has set a high standard for quality, family-oriented programming and that is reflected in the channel’s consistently high viewership.”

http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20080305005357&newsLang=en

The Very Best Family Movies of All Time in Breathtaking High Definition!

HALLMARK MOVIE CHANNEL HD LAUNCHES APRIL 2 WITH MOVIE EVENT 'SON OF THE DRAGON,' STARRING EMMY NOMINEE DAVID CARRADINE AND JOHN REARDON, THRILLING LOVE STORY BASED ON THE CLASSIC THIEF OF BAGHDAD

Hallmark Channel Launches First HD Network

The Very Best Family Movies of All Time in Breathtaking High Definition!

STUDIO CITY, Calif., March 18 /PRNewswire/ -- In a historic move for the network, Hallmark Channel will celebrate the launch of Hallmark Movie Channel HD with a two-night movie event starring Emmy(R) nominee and martial arts legend David Carradine, who will kick the new network into high (def) gear. The U.S. Television Premiere of "Son of the Dragon" HD will feature Night One, Wednesday, April 2 (8/7 c) and Night Two, Thursday, April 3 (8/7 c).

John Reardon ("Merlin's Apprentice") and Rupert Graves ("V for Vendetta") costar in "Son of the Dragon," a two night, four hour Hallmark Movie Channel Original Movie Event that will immerse viewers in such startling HD clarity, they may need to start dodging punches! A stunning re-imagining of the classic Thief of Baghdad, the film, which was shot entirely in China, revolves around a charismatic young thief known as Devil Boy, or DB (Reardon), who was abandoned at birth and rescued from the docks of Shanghai by Bird (Carradine), a wise former warrior. Now, DB and Bird have their eyes on the ultimate prize ... swindling the royal court of its jewels. The best way for them to execute the perfect heist is by winning the hand of the Governor's daughter, Princess Li Wei (Desiree Siahaan, "Marco Polo"), whose father is welcoming potential suitors to court. Posing as the Prince of the Seven Seas and his loyal lieutenant, DB and Bird enter a world unlike anything they imagined.

Although DB has genuine feelings for the princess, there is formidable competition from the Prince of the North (Graves) and it is soon apparent that he is playing by a far more dangerous and sinister set of rules. Caught in a dangerous game, DB and Bird must rely on their cunning, street-smarts and a little magic to survive an untimely demise.

The scent of lotus blossoms will waft off of the screen, slashing swords will tear into living rooms everywhere, and the beauty, adventure, and romance of Ancient China will come alive as never before. It's the "Son of the Dragon" premiere -- the first program to air on the all-new Hallmark Movie Channel HD -- Wednesday, April 2 (8/7 c) Night One and Thursday, April 3 (8/7 c) Night Two. Hallmark Movie Channel HD will be a spectacle the likes of which has yet to be seen in any definition!

Programming events such as "Son of the Dragon" will be a regular occurrence on Hallmark Movie Channel, with a major event title premiering every quarter on the 24-hour network. In addition to its star-studded launch, Hallmark Movie Channel will become the premiere destination for the very best family movies of all time, and home to the critically-acclaimed Hallmark Hall of Fame library! In more than 50 years, the Hall of Fame films have featured 131 Academy Award(R) nominees and 55 winners, have won 81 Emmy Awards and 13 Golden Globes, and consistently rank among the top five films on broadcast television year after year. Accompanying the Hall of Fame library on the network will be an array of current and classic titles from major Hollywood studios and networks, including Warner Brothers, Paramount Pictures and Disney.

Hallmark Movie Channel, the second linear channel from Crown Media, simulcast in SD (standard definition) and HD (high definition), is a 24-hour cable network dedicated to bringing viewers the very best family movies of all time with a mix of classic theatrical films, original Hallmark Channel movies and presentations from the acclaimed Hallmark Hall of Fame library. In today's crowded television landscape, the network is a unique and captivating entertainment experience, providing programming that family can watch together. Viewers can tune in on Sunday nights to see Hall of Fame favorites including "Sarah Plain and Tall," "What the Deaf Man Heard" and "To Dance With the White Dog." The channel also spotlights a major quarterly programming event, such as the upcoming four-hour mini-series, "Son of the Dragon," starring David Carradine. The movie event premieres Wednesday, April 2, and will mark the launch of Hallmark Movie Channel HD, offering audiences an unparalleled viewing experience.

http://sev.prnewswire.com/entertainment/20080318/LATU01318032008-1.html

Yes it'll be launched, but what Comcast system has announced they're adding it? None that I know of..

D* probably will since the HMC HD launch coincides with the day they are gonna add ESPNews HD. It's a Wednesday after all.

So does this channel air true HD or are they upconverts, stretchovision or what? Don't have the channel yet but would like to hear from those that do.

I just got this channel added recently. Just from channel flipping, I have yet to see anything HD on it besides commercials. Everything I've seen so far has been 4:3 SD.

So does this channel air true HD or are they upconverts, stretchovision or what? Don't have the channel yet but would like to hear from those that do.


Some movies are in HD.

For some reason, the other hallmark movie channel thread was locked without any reason given. So let me ask again, what is the channel's position on HD?

Do they use stretch-o-vision? Do they use OAR? Crop everything to 16x9? Do they label upconverts HD?

They do have HD movies on HMC HD.
Stretch-o-vision: No.
OAR- don't know, haven't checked it enough to notice any letterboxed 2.35:1 movies. But much of their programming is movies made for TV, so those would be 1.78:1 when they are in HD.
Label upconverts in HD? I've haven't checked their website.

They do have HD movies on HMC HD.
Stretch-o-vision: No.
OAR- don't know, haven't checked it enough to notice any letterboxed 2.35:1 movies. But much of their programming is movies made for TV, so those would be 1.78:1 when they are in HD.
Label upconverts in HD? I've haven't checked their website.Yes, but they run HD movies so rarely it's hard to tell. Yes, they do crop. I've seen it, but they mostly run crap and plenty of commercials besides. I think I've watched 1 program in the 4months I've had FIOS so far. That beats the Tennis channel by 1.:p

Does anyone even carry the non-HD version of this channel? On my cable provider, Hallmark Movie Channel HD is part of the HD-only, "Premium HD" tier, with HDNet, Universal HD, Smithsonian HD, etc.

Anyone ever see a movie on Hallmark Movie Channel HD, that looked like in PQ wise, or close to the Hallmark Hall of Fame CBS Movies they show every once in a while on [CBS] Sunday nights? TIA.

Anyone ever see a movie on Hallmark Movie Channel HD, that looked like in PQ WISE or close to the Hallmark Hall of Fame CBS Movies they every once in a while on Sunday nights? TIA.
Yes, sure. With this thread, I checked and there were 2 movies in HD on HMC HD last night. They looked to be typical movie made for TV decent HD quality to me (Verizon Fios). The quality of HD movies on CBS - assuming a good quality master source - are going to be at the mercy of your local affiliate and largely depends on how many sub-channels the station has.

For some reason, the other hallmark movie channel thread was locked without any reason given.That was a mistake; original topic reopened, and merged with the new one.

Yes, sure. With this thread, I checked and there were 2 movies in HD on HMC HD last night. They looked to be typical movie made for TV decent HD quality to me (Verizon Fios). The quality of HD movies on CBS - assuming a good quality master source - are going to be at the mercy of your local affiliate and largely depends on how many sub-channels the station has.

Thanks afiggatt.

[The last Hallmark CBS HD movie I remember seeing and enjoying (PQ and story wise) was the one with Alicia Silverstone, "Candles on Bay Street"?. I still have that Mitch Albom (sp?)/Oprah one in HD I never got around to watching.]

Hallmark is producing 35 originals this year in 1080p at 24 frames per second
-Jim Bennett, vice president of technical operations for Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel

Multichannel News, 2/16/2009
http://www.multichannel.com/article/174220-High_Def_s_Next_Step.php