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Entertainment for Senior Citizens
Hallmark Joins Cable Channels in More Programming
for Seniors, Boomers
Lucy, Cheers and 7th Heaven added with
more Matlock, Touched by Angel
 Nov. 28, 2007 – Although network television has
long focused their programming on young people, a number of cable
channels are increasingly targeting senior citizens and older baby
boomers. The Hallmark Channel today announced it has acquired the rights
to “Cheers,” “I Love Lucy,” and “7th Heaven,” along with
additional episodes of “Matlock” and “Touched by An Angel.”
“These acquisitions are part of our strategy of
moving forward with the most appealing off-net series available to our
audience, regardless of strikes or other interruptions. All three
beloved programs are, of course, the perfect complement to our other,
boomer-friendly series such as M*A*S*H, ‘Little House on the Prairie’
and ‘Murder, She Wrote,’” said Michelle Vicary, Senior Vice President,
Acquisitions & Programming.
She said “7th Heaven” is the first show that will
be ready to launch on Hallmark Channel - as early as January of 2008 -
with “Cheers” having the next window later in 2008 and “I Love Lucy” in
January of 2009.
 “7th Heaven,” the critically acclaimed family drama
about a minister (Stephen Collins), his wife (Catherine Hicks) and their
seven children, captured the hearts of television audiences with its
witty, charming and heartwarming storytelling and has been praised for
providing high-quality entertainment for all ages.
At 11 seasons, it was the longest-running family
drama in the history of American television. The series has received
honors from organizations such as the Parents Television Council, Family
Friendly Forum Awards, Teen Choice Awards and TV Guide Awards.
“Cheers,” the top-rated, 28-time Emmy AwardÒ-winning
half-hour comedy series centering on the colorful characters who
frequent a Boston bar owned by a former Red Sox pitcher, stars Ted
Danson, Kirstie Alley, Rhea Perlman, George Wendt, Shelley Long,
Nicholas Colasanto, John Ratzenberger, Woody Harrelson and Bebe Neuwirth.
“I Love Lucy,” a time-honored comedy classic with
almost 200 episodes produced, set the standard for TV sitcoms. Lucy
Ricardo is a scatterbrained housewife whose husband, Ricky, is a
bandleader at a nightclub. Lucy and Ricky's best friends are landlords
Fred and Ethel Mertz who often become unwitting participants in Lucy's
get-rich-quick and other wild schemes.
From sneaking into Ricky's shows to hiding
household indiscretions, Lucy's antics have held audiences' attention
for decades and have made her one of TV's most beloved characters. It
stars Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, William Frawley and Vivian Vance.
“Matlock,” a classic legal drama starring Andy
Griffith, has been on the Hallmark Channel schedule for over 4 years and
averages a 1.0 HH rating as part of the prime time Sunday line-up.
“Touched By An Angel,” an inspiring drama starring Roma Downey, Della
Reese, John Dye and Valerie Bertinelli, will return to the schedule in
2008.
Editor’s Notes:
Hallmark Channel, owned and operated by Crown Media
Holdings, Inc., is a 24-hour basic cable network that provides a diverse
slate of high-quality entertainment programming to a national audience
of nearly 85 million subscribers. The top tier program service is
distributed through more than 5,300 cable systems and communities as
well as direct-to-home satellite services across the country. Hallmark
Channel consistently ranks among the top 10 ad-supported cable networks
in Prime Time and Total Day household ratings and is the nation’s
leading network in providing quality family programming. Crown Media
also operates a second 24-hour linear channel, Hallmark Movie Channel,
and will launch Hallmark Movie Channel HD in first quarter 2008. For
more information, please visit
www.hallmarkchannelpress.com
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