In this month's faith & family entertainment news: Hallmark launches a streamer with a tie-in to its retail business; and Catholic actor David Henrie reprises his Disney Channel role, in the new series Wizards Beyond Waverly Place.
Say Hello to Hallmark+
As cord-cutting threatens the existence of the cable-TV model, Hallmark is looking to reconnect with its past, in the form of a revamped streamer and, now, lifestyle brand, called Hallmark+.
In July, during a morning-long presentation of press conferences at the biannual TV Critics Association Press Tour (a recent move by Hallmark, which just used to host parties with talent and executives), Hallmark/Hallmark Media president and CEO Mike Perry said:
We have a retail loyalty rewards program with 20 million people that are enrolled. Two thirds of those loyalty members, they regularly watch the Hallmark Channel. One third of those 20 million members, they watch the Hallmark Channel every single week.
If I said this differently to you, I’d say it this way. Our viewers are our shoppers and our shoppers are our viewers.
So today, as linear cable is being disrupted by the very streaming platforms, we actually see this as an opportunity to expand our storytelling and to align all of our brand touchpoints once again.
Perry expressed the company’s mission thus:
The greatest legacy of the Hall family is their steadfast commitment to a promise to help people make a meaningful difference in the lives of those they most care about.
We find our purpose in inspiring, even prompting people to do or say something intentionally that makes a genuine difference in another person’s life.
To tell someone you love them, that you’re thinking about them, to encourage, affirm and celebrate those important people in our life.
And this bigger promise opened up doors for Hallmark well beyond greeting cards.
So, starting Sept. 10, streamer Hallmark Movies Now becomes Hallmark+
What's Included in Hallmark+?
For $7.99 per month, or $79.99 per year, Hallmark+ offers coupons and rewards at Hallmark Gold Crown Stores, and “surprise gifts.”
As for entertainment, the streamer will feature exclusive scripted and unscripted fare, including holiday limited series (Holidazed, Mistletoe Murders), and Finding Mr. Christmas, a reality-competition show that pits hunk against hunk to find the next Hallmark leading man.
There will also be unscripted, “aspirational” shows: Celebrations With Lacey Chabert; Ready, Set, Glow! with Wes Brown; Small Town Setup, with Ashley Williams; and Home Is Where the Heart Is, with Luke Macfarlane.
There’s a Southern-fried scripted drama (shot in Vancouver, Canada), called The Chicken Sisters, adapted from KJ Dell’Antonia’s New York Times bestselling novel, also a Reese’s Book Club selection. It stars Schuyler Fisk, Genevieve Angelson, Lea Thompson and Wendie Malick.
And, there’s a trio of films called Groomsmen, about three pals (Jonathan Bennett, Tyler Hynes, B.J. Britt) cavorting around Europe on a trip somehow connected to a wedding.
Also, reports Variety:
Hallmark Media also announced “Hallmark VIP Movie Pass,” hosted by Tamera Mowry-Housley, which features stars of popular Hallmark movies as they share personal anecdotes, memories and behind-the-scenes stories. Spotlighted movies will include “Blind Date Book Club,” “Branching Out,” “The Wedding Veil,” “Curious Caterer: Fatal Vows,” “The Professional Bridesmaid,” “Girlfriendship,” “Notes of Autumn,” “Haul Out the Holly,” “My Christmas Family Tree” and “The Gift of Peace.”
Take a peek:
Marking its 15th anniversary, the channel's Countdown to Christmas arrives (probably in mid-October) with usually romantic and generally secular holiday-themed films. Click here for a rundown of this year's premieres.
Wizards Beyond Waverly Place Premieres in October
Currently on the big screen as the young Ronald Reagan in the biopic Reagan (more on that here and here), Catholic actor David Henrie first came to prominence in Disney Channel's Wizards of Waverly Place (2007-2012).
He played Justin Russo, one of a trio of New York City siblings with magical abilities. Selena Gomez, currently star of Hulu's Only Murders in the Building, played Alex, the middle sibling.
Along with fantasy elements, the show focused on family, friendship, and growing up.
Now, Henrie (who's now married with three children) and Gomez have joined forces as executive producers of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, premiering with two episodes on Oct. 29 on the Disney Channel (and the next day, on Disney+).
Henrie reprises his role; and Gomez will reprise hers, so far only in the first episode.
From Deadline:
Wizards Beyond Waverly Place follows an adult Justin Russo, who has chosen to lead a normal, mortal life with his family, Giada, Roman and Milo. When Justin’s sister Alex brings Billie to his home seeking help, Justin realizes he must dust off his magical skills to mentor the wizard-in-training while also juggling his everyday responsibilities — and safeguarding the future of the Wizard World.
In addition, two former Disney Channel stars, Raven-Symoné and Danielle Fishel, are directing episodes in season one.
Said Henrie to The Hollywood Reporter:'
The thing that always stuck with Selena and I over the years is the fan experiences all over the world, and we'd have fans come up to us and go, "Hey, I come from a really tough situation in life. My family's very broken, and your show showed me that family can have each other's back and have unconditional love. It makes me want to have a family one day." That's powerful stuff. ...
We are both family people. We love family. We love kids, and that was the culture we had in the original show. We are a family. We had each other's backs. Family's important to her, family's important to me. Everything I do is in the family space. I love the family space, so I'm happy to see her happy.
Here's the whole video:
And here's a peek at the new show:
Image: LEFT: Celebrations With Lacey Chabert/Hallmark Media; RIGHT (L-R) Selena Gomez and David Henrie in Wizards Beyond Waverly Place/“Pilot” (Disney/Eric McCandless)
Kate O’Hare, a longtime entertainment journalist, is Social Media Content Manager and Blog Editor at Family Theater Productions.
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