@stevieb wrote:
@Spurt wrote:
@J Town Girl
What happened is Bill Abbott, Former CEO and
President of Crown Media Family left Hallmark (by some accounts--forced out---) over "creative differences". Bill Abbott then acquired GAC, originally Great American Country, in June 202, it was rebranded into Great American Media and divided into two different brands--- GAC Family Channel and Great American Living. Many of the actors followed him from Hallmrk to his new enterprise.....
Heres how to watch the new channel---
https://www.greatamericanfamily.com/channel-finder/
Abbott was replaced at Hallmark by Wonya Lucas, she made changes which included adding a lot of reruns to Hallmarks lineup to improve their profitability. And many viewers have complained about the quality of the movies, both scripts and acting, since she took over.
@Spurt The complaints are justified in my opinion. I was never a big Hallmark fan, though I have historically watched a few of the Christmas movies here or there and occasionally a mystery movie. The only reruns I find enjoyable are Golden Girls, which quite frankly could use a hiatus, Murder She Wrote (in small doses, and could probably also stand a hiatus), Diagnosis Murder and, of course, Lucy, which Hallmark no longer shows. Meanwhile, many cable channels, Hallmark included, is bombarding us with Reba... As for the movies, holiday and otherwise, there was nothing wrong with trying to make them a bit less formulaic and a bit more 'inclusive' but unfortunately, it appears the powers that be have failed to recognize there was a fairly predictable formula that, for better or wrose, led to their success and dilutinf it too much pretty much ensures many long term viewers will tune out. It's unlikely the changes will generate enough viewers to make up the loss, particularly as bad as the movies, overall, are proving to be.
@stevieb
Yep, you're right! The story formulas were way too predictable...Actually I preferred to watch their mysteries on the Hallmark Movie and Mystery Channel....But the Christmas and other movies provided a nice change of pace and a break from reality that we all need from time to time which as you said has led to their success..............
Now much of their top talent has followed their old boss, and what we are left with is just BAD HALLMARK MOVIES! And boy the reviews on social media were bad: from slow and boring plot (and was it really important to show a tampon box) to bad acting, and too much focus on "an agenda" ........It was like when The Golden Girls "jumped the shark" when the emphasis changed to topical issues rather than the lives of the characters and good comedy writing....
Hallmark used to take painstaking care in pairing their leading characters, but now, it's like they draw random names from a hat and slap couples together. The newer movies featuring couples with no spark, or even a pulse.
Not only will the "new" Hallmark get competition from GAC but The Lifetime Channel has wasted no time in promoting their WONDERFUL LIFETIME MOVIE EVENTS perhaps in the hopes of capturing some of the viewing audience dissatsified with the quality of the new fare from Hallmark.......
Lifetime's been promoting "The Dog Days Of Christmas" on November 11th ....sounds much like an old Hallmark Plot---Interestingly some of the cast hails from Australia....
What is Dog Days of Christmas About?
While visiting her family during Christmastime, Annie Blake (Georgia Flood) decides to help three stray dogs get adopted before heading back into her career working for a global non-profit. But when she runs into local veterinarian, Dylan Hawkes (Ezekiel Simat), her old high school debate partner, they team up to save an animal rescue. Ultimately, Annie discovers that finding love, and making a difference in the world, can happen right at home.
It will be interesting to see if audiences move away from Hallmark and jumping to GAC and/or Lifetime this season.....
Animals are reliable, full of love, true in their affections, grateful. Difficult standards for people to live up to.”
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