After rival streaming services and networks launched their own holiday programming — and seasonal rom-coms — many actors and actresses signed deals with Great American Family or Netflix, but several Hallmark Channel staples said We who have no intention of finding the Christmas spirit elsewhere.
“I don’t think anyone does Christmas the way Hallmark does. There’s magic in that, No 1. Plus, you know, they were the very first ones to put me in a Christmas movie. And they’ve been so good to me,” Nikki DeLoach said exclusively We Weekly at the network’s Countdown to Christmas event in New York in October 2022. “So for me, it’s like, ‘Why would I go anywhere else?’ These people are my family – all of the actors, our executives, our creative executives are my friends, and, you know, there’s something about Hallmark’s audience, I will say, that’s unlike any other audience.
Jonathan Bennet, who plays in 2022 The holiday keeper as half of the network’s first gay couple in a Christmas movie, raved about the support they received.
« Getting to Executive Products The holiday keeper and telling the story was a dream come true,” the actor said at the time. “What’s so special about Hallmark Channel is that their stories lead to love and family and that’s what The holiday keeper is and they have been so supportive of this trip from the moment I had the idea to carry it out. They supported the trip wholeheartedly and wanted to make sure we told the story in the best way possible.
Bennett noted that his 2022 film gives “everyone everything they want. … Yes, [it’s] an LGBTQ+ led movie, but it’s not just for LGBTQ+ people. The holiday keeper is a movie for everyone, just like the Hallmark Channel is for everyone. And Christmas is for everyone.
Hallmark Channel’s Efforts to Diversify Network Come After Former CEO Bill Abbott was criticized for posting an ad featuring a same-sex couple. Shortly after the network put the ad back on the air, Abbott’s exit was announced. He then took over GAC Media – and brought in stars such as Candace Cameron Bure And Danica McKellar with him.
After Cameron Bure signed an exclusive deal with Great American Family in the spring of 2022, the channel launched its Christmas lineup around the Full house alum. In November, she faced backlash for her comments when she spoke about her decision to leave Hallmark.
“It’s basically a completely different network than where I started because of the change in management,” Cameron Bure said. WSJ. Magazine. “My heart wants to tell stories that have more meaning, purpose and depth behind them. I knew the people behind Great American Family were Christians who loved the Lord and wanted to promote religious programs and good family entertainment.
When asked if the new network would feature LGBTQ+ stories, the former child star said, “I think Great American Family will keep traditional marriage at heart.”
Abbott doubled down on his remarks, adding, “It’s definitely 2022, so we’re aware of the trends. There is no whiteboard that says “Yes, that” or “No, we will never go here”.
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