Explaining Hallmark’s Channel Name Changes

Dan Clarendon
28 Comments
Elizabeth Yost, Paul Campbell, Aimee Garcia, Danny Griffin, Ali Skovbye, Victor Webster, Alison Sweeney, Luke Macfarlane, and Lyndie Greenwood at a Hallmark Mystery presentation at the TCA Winter Press Tour
JC Olivera/Getty Images
Elizabeth Yost, Paul Campbell, Aimee Garcia, Danny Griffin, Ali Skovbye, Victor Webster, Alison Sweeney, Luke Macfarlane, and Lyndie Greenwood at a Hallmark Mystery presentation at the TCA Winter Press Tour on February 6, 2024, in Pasadena, California

Two of Hallmark Media’s cable networks are getting facelifts, as the company announced at the Television Critics Association winter press tour.

On February 28, Hallmark Drama will become Hallmark Family, a network that “spotlights timeless storytelling for the whole family centered around faith, love, and community,” Hallmark said in a press release.

And on March 6, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries will become Hallmark Mystery, “debuting a fresh, new look and continuing to provide more captivating and cozy mysteries.”

Both networks are getting new logos, as seen below.

“Hallmark Media is home to a wide range of content offerings that deliver on the promise of providing comfort and joy, and it is our goal to ensure that viewing experiences across all networks and platforms are uniquely authentic,” Lisa Hamilton Daly, Hallmark’s executive vice president of programming, said in a press release. “We look forward to debuting the rebranded networks, where fans can continue to enjoy fun, engaging mysteries on Hallmark Mystery and wholesome family stories on Hallmark Family.”

The news comes as the network currently known as Hallmark Movies & Mysteries tallies a record number of all-new and returning mystery series, including Gilded Newport Mysteries: Murder at the Breakers, its first historical mystery, starring Ali Skovbye, Danny Griffin, and Nathan Witte; CrimeTime: Freefall starring Lyndie Greenwood and Luke Macfarlane; and the next installments of popular franchises like Hannah Swensen Mysteries, The Cases of Mystery Lane, and more.

Fans have offered their takes on the rebrandings on social media. About the change from Hallmark Movies & Mysteries to Hallmark Mystery, one X user wrote, “I like it. Mysteries only, please.”

Someone else praised the new look and name, while a third person asked, “Does this mean no 24/7 Christmas movies for 3 months?”

One X user wasn’t impressed, though, writing, “Not the prettiest logo.” And someone else posted, “Why? If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! Does that mean you’re going to be taking off all of our favorite Hallmark M&M series, movies, and shows?”

As for the change from Hallmark Drama to Hallmark Family, a Reddit user wrote, “I hope they’ll do more with Hallmark Family than just show reruns of The Waltons and Dr. Quinn. I love some of the older Hallmark movies from the late ’90s and early ’00s.”

Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Media’s flagship network, entered the cable TV fray in 2001. Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, a network that “brings the lighter side of the suspense and mystery genres into focus with rich, dramatic, and thought-provoking storytelling,” followed in 2004. And Hallmark Drama, which “evokes the legacy and spirit of the iconic, award-winning Hallmark Hall of Fame franchise with engaging, dramatic storytelling,” debuted in 2017.

The networks’ new names are pithy, but not more so than the nicknames one Reddit user came up with for Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Drama, and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries: “We jokingly called them Hallmark, Hallmark Sad, and Hallmark Murder.”




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  1. P

    PurpleTeepee

    I know these shows are older but more solid: Murder 101, Flower Pot Mysteries, Crossword Puzzle Mysteries; original Aurora Teagarden, original Murder She Baked. What has happened to the good writers?

    Those characters are solid and watchable. They are not children acting plastic with the girls wearing too much makeup and seem vacuous. People don’t root for the “good-looking” actors who do more posing than acting. Why the changes? If they were great shows, why the unnecessary changes?

    28 2

    1. G

      GoldChilli

      Well Hannah Swensen mysteries are Murder She Baked just renamed. Same characters. And Candace Cameron Bure moved to another network which is why Aurora Teagarden is gone. The rest I agree with you on though. Though I did like the historical mystery.

  2. O

    OliveClover

    I do not get that many channels, I hope that I do not lose the Hallmark Channel. It is the only channel worth watching.

    25 1

  3. R

    RedPlane

    Just don't take away the Christmas Movies.

    20 3

  4. G

    GreenBulb

    Anytime a network includes the word 'faith,' it makes one wonder what they have in store. Sounds more like GAC than Hallmark.

    28 11

    1. C

      CyanBus

      The new name is Hallmark family not Hallmark faith.

      1

  5. G

    GoldFlame

    I think the name change is good. The current shows are great and very entertaining but they need to bring back Murder 101. The way it ended left every fan in total shock with no explanation. That was a great series and the story’s were always well done. The chemistry between the two characters was great as well. The network needs to either bring it back or at least have one more episode to close out the way the network abruptly ended it, which was not a good choice!

    12

  6. G

    GreenSushi

    I want garage sale mysteries to come back. 101 mysteries too. I'm a mystery buff.

    14 2

    1. G

      GoldChilli

      I know! It was stupid of them to End 101 the way they did!

      5 1

    2. G

      GoldTrumpet

      I'm guessing with the way Hallmark's programming quality has gone downhill, most of the current viewership couldn't figure out a two piece puzzle let alone a mystery.

      2 2

  7. G

    GreenGoggles

    I liked Mysteries and movies until they started showing Christmas movies for a month and a half. Seriously?? I love Christmas but they have other channels for that.

    I love Monk and Murder,, She Wrote. I think they have dropped Monk after Christmas except early in the morning. Not good!!

    As for their mysteries used to be great. I loved Aurora Teagarden and Garage Sale mysteries!!

    Well-written and mysterious!!

    Then the rest never measured up!! And most are so nonmysterious, contrived and just cookie cutter now.

    Now without Monk at decent times I only watch Murder, She Wrote occasionally.

    I need more Monk and good mysteries like Mary Higgins Clark and Carlene Thompson!! No they are great mystery writers!!!

    16 6

  8. R

    RedFlask

    Open it up to where you can watch all the "sappy" and Christmasy movies whenever you want! Ones we watched a few years ago before all the new era stepped in. This is what we all fell in love with.

    Keep the mysteries and dramas in a separate channel.

    I'm not impressed with the the newer ones and don't care to watch hours of Reba, Golden girls or Frazier. They don't fit in.

    9

  9. G

    GreenFlask

    IMO Hallmark is circling the drain. Overused leads (Lacey Chabert, Tyler Hynes) and the same sparks fly plots. They list their stories as comedy/romance, but most are lucky if they generate a smile. Hack writers churning out the same old same old.

    20 13

    1. O

      OlivePaw

      You are absolutely correct. Same old plot over and over again. I am done watching these.

      5 1

      1. O

        Olive8Ball

        And that overused so and so returns home to save the whatever and reconnects with ex. Boring!

    2. G

      GoldChilli

      I love Lacey Chabert! I wish they'd bring Crossword mysteries back though. She's best with Brennan Elliot!

      10 1

    3. P

      PurpleWheel

      Some of us love Lacey and Tyler.

      2

  10. B

    BlueCone

    Isn’t this just a way to get subscribers to subscribe twice? I’ve noticed a number of Network based apps are doing this. FX, FX2, CTV and Global in Canada are doing this. I hate it.

    6 1

  11. P

    PurplePuzzle

    What do you mean by "when they went woke"?

    2

  12. G

    GreenSushi

    I don't mind murder she wrote. I don't want it all weekend. I'm disappointed.

    1

  13. K

    Kay

    It is okay to change the name of the products. However, when you are watching a mystery movie on Hallmark Mystery and in the middle of the movie it suddenly changes to a Hallmark Movies and More movie it is very disturbing, especially when you want to know how it ends and who done it!!!!

  14. G

    GoldRing

    Copying Bill Abbott and Great American Family.

  15. C

    CyanCoathanger

    It makes more sense. I was beginning to call drama the prairie/walton channel. Will the old daytime dramas continue in the mystery lineup?

  16. C

    CyanBasketball

    Are we really suggesting we need to segregate TV channels? If black representation is bad, then you know Asian and Latina representation is really bad. Wonya Lucas leaving has been the worst thing for this network.

  17. O

    OliveSnow

    The name change doesn't bother me, I do think the Mystery logo is a little too simple. What matters to me is the content you will be showing and hopefully, continue with new series and movies. I do like the difference in the Christmas content and I hope you continue to have shows with a bit more adult draw on mystery.

  18. C

    CyanBasketball

    Not true and not interested in GAC 2.0. Companies that commit to diversity see huge financial rewards and Hallmark had a chance to appeal to a mainstream audience.

    2 2

  19. G

    GreenBee

    Why is Hallmark so white again? It's like they're back to not even trying. Is it because of Netflix?

    1 2

  20. R

    RedCupcake

    I have been disheartened and disappointed with the Hallmark franchise since the Christmas season. There was only one show that the entire lead cast was black. Made me think that Hallmark was making itself great again. I don't watch it anymore. I don't see people who look like me except in supporting roles. We've been deregulated again. Do better Hallmark.

    14 27