The Hallmark Channel
| Hallmark Channel | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Launched |
|
| Owned by | Crown Media Holdings |
| Picture format |
1080i (HDTV) Downgraded to letterboxed 480i for SDTV feed |
| Slogan | The Heart of TV |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Broadcast area | Nationwide |
| Headquarters | Studio City, California |
| Formerly called |
American Christian Television System (1984–1992) Vision Interfaith Satellite Network (1988–1992) VISN/ACTS (1992–1993) Faith & Values Channel (1993–1996) Odyssey Network (1996–2001) |
| Sister channel(s) | Hallmark Movies & Mysteries |
| Website | www |
|
Availability
|
|
| Satellite | |
| DirecTV | 1312 312 (SD) |
| Dish Network | 185 (HD/SD) |
| Cable | |
| Time Warner Cable | 123 |
| AT&T U-verse | 1365 365 (SD) |
| IPTV | |
| Verizon FiOS | 740 240 (SD) |
| AT&T U-verse | 1365 365 (SD) |
| Streaming media | |
| Sling TV | Internet Protocol television |
The Hallmark Channel is an American cable and satellite television network that is owned by Crown Media Holdings, which is majority owned by Hallmark Cards. The channel's programming is primarily targeted at families, and features a mix of television movies and miniseries, original and acquired television series, and lifestyle programs.
As of February 2015, Hallmark Channel is available to approximately 85,439,000 pay television households (73.4% of households with television) in the United States.
The Hallmark Channel traces its history to the launch of two separate religious cable channels, the American Christian Television System (ACTS) and the Vision Interfaith Satellite Network (VISN). The two networks began alternating time on a shared transponder slot on the Galaxy III satellite in 1992. Under the original timeshare agreement, the network was branded as VISN/ACTS. Each network was provided time for its programming blocks, and would use their own logos.
VISN launched on July 1, 1988, and was founded by the National Interfaith Cable Coalition, in cooperation with several cable providers. It aired for about 16 hours a day and ran religious programs from mainline Protestant denominations such as the United Methodist Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the United Church of Christ. Roman Catholic, LDS Church, Jewish, and Islamic faiths also provided programming. VISN aired during the morning and evening hours. ACTS commenced operations in 1984, and was owned by the Southern Baptist Convention. It aired programming from evangelical and fundamentalist non-charismatic Christian groups such as the SBC, the Christian Reformed Church, and the Association of Regular Baptist Churches, as well as well-known evangelists such as Jerry Falwell, Charles Stanley and D. James Kennedy. Both channels aired several hours a week of religious children's programs, some of which overlapped, including Sunshine Factory, Joy Junction, Davey and Goliath, and Jot.
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