Hallmark Adds 7th Heaven (Jan. 2008), Cheers (TBD 2008), and I Love Lucy (Jan 2009)

[Pavan]

More insight and details will come in today's blog. Check it later on!


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 28, 2007





“7TH HEAVEN,” “CHEERS” AND “I LOVE LUCY”

FIND A NEW HOME ON HALLMARK CHANNEL



Acquisition Deal with CBS Television Distribution Includes Additional Episodes of “Matlock” and “Touched By An Angel”



Hallmark Channel has just completed a major deal to acquire several award- winning series, including the critically acclaimed “7th Heaven,” the ever popular “Cheers” and classic baby boomer favorite, “I Love Lucy,” along with additional episodes of “Matlock” and “Touched By An Angel” from CBS Television Distribution.

“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 & Scheduling/Programming.

“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.

[Pavan]

Blog story is up:
http://www.sitcomsonline.com/blog/20...k-channel.html

Please read that first before you ask questions.

[Daboss94]

Thats BIG News!


Pav, any hints on the new show for ABC family?


Keep Up The Great Work!

[Lucky-Lady]

Multichannel News mentioned that the Hallmark deal is non-exclusive and that "These series will continue to be televised in broadcast syndication, too." That's interesting, since 7th Heaven hasn't aired in broadcast syndication since 2002.

I know 7th Heaven's fate on ABC Family, as well as the new series they'll be adding (I don't wan't to ruin your "scoop" for tomorrow's blog). That show currently airs as part of a broadcast daytime block. Will that daytime block be dropping that show, and perhaps replacing it with 7th Heaven? Or do you know if CBS has any plans to sell 7th Heaven back into broadcast syndication? It was very sucessful in its original 2000-02 broadcast window, which is very rare for an off-network 1 hour strip.

[Pavan]

Daboss94: Stay tuned tomorrow for that on the blog! Hint is it is a sitcom!

Lucky-lady: I don't think there are plans to bring back 7th Heaven to local syndication. I think what Multichannel meant was that the deal is not exclusive, so cable and locals could air the shows still IF they are airing it. As for the other show you mention, I am not sure yet, but it seems like it will stay on the other line-up...stay tuned.

[clj2]

Hmmm about ABCFamily....I'm guessing it's a 1990s/2000s show, since that's what most of their lineup is now. It'd probably have to be a pretty recent show to air in a late afternoon time slot.....

[nickandmore]

The ABC Family sitcom coming is "What I Like About You". CableTVTalk.com already has posted the schedule. It will air in "7th Heaven" timeslot, weekdays from 4-5PM.

[clj2]

Sounds reasonable, and it's airing on CW Afternoons. Decent pick-up, IMO.

[Pavan]

Originally Posted by nick43

The ABC Family sitcom coming is "What I Like About You". CableTVTalk.com already has posted the schedule. It will air in "7th Heaven" timeslot, weekdays from 4-5PM.

Nice of them to post it after the blog entry! I should have posted it on Monday when I got it, but was saving it for one January announcement a day. TV One will come Friday.

[MLBonTBS]

I think these are great acquisitions! These shows seem to fit the Hallmark Channel, and it is good to see "I Love Lucy" will continue on television.

[JulieSomoski]

I can't stand WILAY. I was hoping it to be Hope and Faith, since that's a good TGIF show, similar to 8 Simple Rules. God, ABC Family's daytime schedule has really sucked lately, and now it's getting even worse.

Great news on Hallmark! 3 great shows are being added to their lineup, and their all from different time periods, too.

[Daboss94]

What I Like About You Is a BAD Show, Bad Move by ABC Family

[JT]

This is interesting. Could it be that Hallmark is looking to revitalize their lineup? They've followed the TV-for-old-people formula for such a long, long time now, and I was enjoying it lol You know, Hallmark, old people really like those old 70s medical dramas...you know "Marcus Welby," and "Medical Center," and the type...

I guess this thread is as good as any to ask you a question in, Pav. Okay, a couple of years ago, Hallmark acquired the rights to the classic soap "The Doctors," right? Well, a guy that post on another board with says that he had some e-mail correspondence with SFM Entertainment and claims that he was told that they not only plan to release the show on DVD within the coming 18 months but they also plan to put it on cable television. Do you have ANY clue about this at all?

[clj2]

I say TV Land definately drops Cheers. It obviously doesn't do well for them. 2009 is far off, but I say they'll let Lucy go too. They have a lot of shows coming next year, so something's got to go.

Any idea what will leave Hallmark to make way for these shows? They've always kept a tight schedule. I say The Waltons will probably go. Hopefully these shows won't go the way of the countless other shows like FOL, Gilligan's Island, ALF, Hogan's Heroes, Beverly Hillbillies, Happy Days, JAG, Family Ties, etc that aired a short while and vanished - they have been known for that. Their treatment was horrible.

[oz615]

Originally Posted by 60s70s80stvfan

I say TV Land definately drops Cheers. It obviously doesn't do well for them. 2009 is far off, but I say they'll let Lucy go too. They have a lot of shows coming next year, so something's got to go.

Any idea what will leave Hallmark to make way for these shows? They've always kept a tight schedule. I say The Waltons will probably go. Hopefully these shows won't go the way of the countless other shows like FOL, Gilligan's Island, ALF, Hogan's Heroes, Beverly Hillbillies, Happy Days, JAG, Family Ties, etc that aired a short while and vanished - they have been known for that. Their treatment was horrible.

Please i hope it isn't Walker,Texas Ranger.That will kill me.