Hallmark is launching a new channel

In other words, you're busy every Saturday afternoon from now until the end of time.

I have a confession to make: Hallmark Channel original movies are my guilty please. Sure, some may say they’re a bit cheesy or formulaic, but they almost always have a happy ending, and are great for Friday nights when you’ve already wiped out your Netflix queue. Plus, a lot of Hallmark Channel’s flicks focus on my favorite holiday: Christmas.

If you’re like me, and you can’t get enough of the feel-good movies, we have some good news for you. Crown Media Family Networks, which currently owns Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, has announced the launch of a third network, Hallmark Drama. Launching on Oct. 1, the new channel will show movies and series you already know and love from Crown Media’s existing library of dramatic content but will also offer up new, distinct programming that will be exclusive to the network.

“While Hallmark Channel focuses on romantic, comedic fare, and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries is rooted in the lighter side of the suspense genre, Hallmark Drama presents us an opportunity to further tap the Hallmark brand and give our audience even more of the engaging, family-friendly storytelling they have grown to expect and love,” Michelle Vicacry, executive vice president, programming & network public for Crown Media Family Networks, told Parade.

The company also has plans to launch a streaming network, Hallmark Now, on Oct. 3. The streaming service will cost $5.99 per month or $59.99 annually and will feature 8,000 to 1,000 hours of content not available on regular channels, which will be refreshed weekly.

remote control photo — Flickr | purpcheese

“As we continue to see demand for our unique brand of family-friendly programming grow on our linear channels, the launch of Hallmark Movies Now is the natural next step in our distribution strategy,” Erin McIlvain, Crown’s EVP of distribution and content strategy, told Deadline. “Over the last 15 years we have collected a considerable library of content and this new service will allow subscribers to stream and enjoy a differentiated lineup of programming – whenever they want and wherever they are.”