Hallmark Adds 7th Heaven (Jan. 2008), Cheers (Oct. 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.

[Ireneparalegal]

Well, I see CHEERS on two other channels, but that's cool. to adding I Love Lucy. Can never have enough of I Love Lucy!!!!!!!!

[Pavan]

More details on I Love Lucy joining Hallmark. It will join Jan. 2 with a marathon and will air weekdays 8-9am and 4-5pm, Saturdays 6-9am & 1-3am and Sundays 8:30am-10am. Please read for details:

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/blog/20...uary-2009.html

[Pavan]

Time slots reduced for Lucy starting Feb. 9:

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/blog/20...e-lucy-in.html

[TeeVeeCloset]

WHAT A SURPRISE I SAY WITH TONGUE FIRMLY PLANTED IN CHEEK.....here are some excerpts from my post about How Hallmark would treat Lucy written in December.......

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Originally Posted by TeeVeeCloset
The Hallmark Channel better show some patience in their transferring slowly from running one hour dramas to adding sitcoms.....these channels expect audiences to build overnight and over react when viewing patterns and ratings dip. For over 5 years they have practically only played serious dramas, so they add cheers, mash, golden girls and the precious I Love Lucy........the dropping of some cheers slots gives me some pause on how they will react if Lucy doesn't spike ratings instantly...just some food for thought.

I have worked in the television industry for 28 years and know exactly the way things are discussed and now sadly drastically removed from air-schedules. Networks no longer wait for audience patterns to transition...Diagnosis Murder/Matlock/Waltons programming to Cheers, I Love Lucy, Golden Girls takes time to build.....at this rate I predict I Love Lucy to be gone within 8 weeks after being announced as part of the 2009 schedule over a year ago!
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YES I wrote that nearly 2 months ago and now Hallmark has drastically reduced I Love Lucy airings!
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[Pavan]

Let's hope the March schedule will remain as it was announced and doesn't change because of these last minute Feb. 9 changes.

[Jude The Obscure]

It really really blows IMO. I can't honestly believe that Lucy was not attracting viewers.....but they harmed themselves by repeating the morning episodes in the afternoon. ILL has enough episodes for them to run 4 fresh ones a day. Look how long they aired 4 LHOPs a day. i'm glad I have Lucy on DVD and not depend on a channel to see her.