Hallmark Channel stocks up for 2002-03

News from Hallmark Channel US includes a major programming deal with Paramount, a 24-movie order for Hallmark Entertainment plus a new reality series about families adopting children.

Under the long-term licensing deal with Paramount Domestic Television, Hallmark Channel has secured rights to several of Paramount's films, comedies, westerns, dramas and series, including titles like Perry Mason, Hogan's Heroes, The Beverly Hillbillies and Rawhide.

The US channel has also placed a 24-film order with sister outfit Hallmark Entertainment, representing mainly dramas, mysteries and westerns. The original telemovies will arrive on air in the run-up to Christmas 2002.

And arriving next month is another Hallmark Entertainment series called Adoption. This non-scripted reality hour looks at real-life families trying to adopt a child.

Hallmark Channel is also planning a publicity push for its new June miniseries Stranded by teaming up with the 4,500 Hallmark Gold Crown stores for a cross-promotional campaign.

Stranded, produced by Dyson Lovell, will then air on the Hallmark Channel in June. Inspired by Johann David Wyss' 1813 literary classic Swiss Family Robinson, Stranded updates the classic saga of a family shipwrecked on a tropical island.

Hallmark recently posted subs figures of 91.5m (44.9m in the US and 46.6m internationally).