Hallmark Channel Stars on why they love the network

Uncategorized

After streaming services and rival networks launched their own holiday shows and seasonal rom-coms, many actors and actresses signed deals with Great American Family or Netflix, but several Hallmark Channel staples told Us who have no plans to look up the Christmas spirit elsewhere.

“I don’t think anyone celebrates Christmas the way Hallmark does. There’s something magical about it, number 1. You know, they were also the first to put me in a Christmas movie. And they’ve been so good to me,” Nikki DeLoach told exclusively Us weekly at the network’s Countdown to Christmas event in New York City in October 2022. “So for me it’s like, ‘Why should I go anywhere else?’ These people are my family – all the actors, our executives, our creative executives are my friends. And you know, there’s something about the Hallmark audience that’s different from any other audience.

Jonathan Bennett, who shines in 2022’s The holiday sitter as half of the network’s first leading gay couple in a Christmas movie, gushed about the support he’s received.

“Towards executive product The holiday sitter and tell that the story was a dream come true,” the actor said at the time. “What’s so special about the Hallmark Channel is the fact that their stories lead with love and family and that’s what The holiday sitter is and they were so supportive of this journey from the moment I had the idea to bring it to fruition. They were very supportive of the trip and wanted to make sure we told the story the best we could.”

Bennett noted that his 2022 film “gives everyone everything they want. … Yes, [it’s] an LGBTQ+ led film, but it’s not just for LGBTQ+ people. The holiday sitter is a movie for everyone, just like Hallmark Channel is for everyone. And Christmas is for everyone.”

Hallmark Channel’s efforts to diversify the network come after the former CEO Bill Abbott came under fire for pulling an ad that featured a same-sex couple. Shortly after the network put the ad back on the air, Abbott’s departure was announced. He later took over GAC Media – and brought stars, among others Candace Cameron Bure And Danny McKellar with him.

After Cameron Bure signed an exclusive deal with Great American Family in the spring of 2022, the channel launched its Christmas program around the Full house alum. In November, she faced backlash when she spoke about her decision to leave Hallmark.

“It’s actually a very different network than when I started because of the leadership change,” Cameron Bure told me 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 love the Lord and wanted to promote faith programming and good family entertainment.”

When asked if the new network will feature LGBTQ+ stories, the former child star said, “I think Great American Family will keep traditional marriage at its heart.”

Abbott echoed her comments, adding: “It’s definitely the year 2022, so we’re on top of the trends. There’s no whiteboard that says, ‘Yes, this’ or ‘No, we’re never going here.’”

Scroll on for more from Hallmark Channel’s actors and actresses on why they love the network: