Entertainment
How Hallmark built a holiday media empire, complete with cruises
The holiday season is Hallmark’s Super Bowl.
This year alone, Hallmark has 80 hours of original holiday-themed programming, including two unscripted series, two scripted series, a holiday special and 24 movies with titles such as “The Snow Must Go On” and “Christmas at the Catnip Cafe” that run from mid-October to Christmas.
The company also has branched out into the experiences business with a Hallmark Christmas Cruise and the Hallmark Christmas Experience festival in Kansas City, Mo., where the company is based.
“I think that’s one of the most brilliant business decisions they’ve made, and they’re expanding there because they have to,” Anjali Bal, associate professor of marketing at Babson College, said of Hallmark’s experiences business. “It allows a connection between the consumer and the brand on a direct level in a way a movie can’t provide.”
It may seem like a far cry from Hallmark’s roots as a greeting card purveyor, but company executives say the holiday feelings evoked by its cards, ornaments and gift wrap translate into the type of content they produce.
And that plethora of content has turned Hallmark into a Christmas juggernaut, fueling competitors such as Lifetime and Netflix, which also produce holiday romantic comedies in the vein of Hallmark movies.
But Darren Abbott, Hallmark’s chief brand officer, doesn’t seem overly concerned.
“There’s a reason everyone else is trying to do this, and it’s because consumers are looking for this,” he said.
Hallmark’s legacy is rooted in celebrating holidays and Christmas, he said, “and no other business or brand has that.”
Countdown to Christmas
Founded in 1910 by an 18-year-old entrepreneur hawking postcards, Hallmark built its brand over the years through cards, holiday ornaments and retail stores.
The family-owned business ventured into entertainment in 1951 with the television presentation Hallmark Hall of Fame. Today, Studio City-based Hallmark Media operates three cable networks, including the Hallmark Channel, which debuted in 2001, as well as a subscription streaming service.
Though Hallmark had aired holiday movies practically since the inception of its cable channel, the company doubled down on the season in 2009, rolling out “Countdown to Christmas,” a 24-hour-a-day programming block focused solely on holiday content, a tradition that has lasted for 16 years.
Hallmark produces about 100 movies a year, both holiday and non-holiday films.
As a privately-held company, Hallmark did not disclose its finances, though executives acknowledge the holiday season is a key driver of entertainment revenue.
The expansion into entertainment is a way for Hallmark to stay in the zeitgeist over multiple generations and to diversify its business beyond just cards and retail products, analysts said.
“Their television stations and experiences business allows them to stay culturally relevant while staying true to their origin,” said Bal, the marketing professor.
Holiday programming — and the breezy, romantic fare Hallmark has become known for — has become increasingly popular with audiences.
Holiday features, both old movies and new, typically make up more than a third of total movie viewing time in December, according to U.S. television data from Nielsen. That percentage has remained fairly consistent for the last three years, though it reached 42% in December 2021.
Hallmark’s television viewership also edges up in the months leading into the holidays. In October, Hallmark commanded 1% of total viewership across linear TV and streaming, ticking up to 1.2% in November, according to Nielsen data. During that same time, competitor A&E, which owns Lifetime, remained constant at 0.9%.
Hallmark’s feel-good movies typically resonate with audiences across the country. They invariably conclude with happy endings (and at least one kiss), where romantic misunderstandings, financial difficulties and family drama all get resolved. After years of criticism, the movies’ casts and plot lines are diversifying, though experts say there is still room for improvement.
“These films are designed to be highly appealing to broad audiences,” said Kit Hughes, associate professor of film and media studies at Colorado State University, who watched every single Hallmark film released in 2022 for research on the portrayal of small business owners. “They’re good consensus movies.”
To grow its audience and the types of stories it tells, Hallmark has increasingly turned to brand partnerships, including with the NFL.
Last year, the company released a movie centered around a Kansas City Chiefs romance; this year, it released one about Buffalo Bills fans. Hallmark also has a partnership with Walt Disney Co. to release a holiday movie next year set at Walt Disney World. The film stars Lacey Chabert, who Abbott describes as Hallmark’s “Queen of Christmas.”
Meeting Hallmark stars on cruise ships
Hallmark’s foray into the cruise business might seem odd, but it follows a long tradition of entertainment companies
creating real-world experiences with their fans, whether that’s on a ship, in a theme park or on a stage. As part of its massive tourism business, Disney operates its own line of cruise ships that promote the company’s classic characters.
Hallmark launched its first “Hallmark Christmas Cruise” last year on Norwegian Cruise Lines. The inaugural cruise from Miami to the Bahamas sold out even before a planned TV marketing campaign. After racking up a wait list of 70,000 people, Hallmark had to add a second cruise, Abbott said.
For this year’s cruise, from Miami to Cozumel, Mexico, Hallmark had to book a bigger ship to accommodate demand. During the November cruise, attendees participated in various Christmas festivities, such as ornament-making workshops and cookie-decorating, and mingled with Hallmark stars in various on-stage games.
The cruises even spawned an unscripted Hallmark show focused on the experiences of several attendees and their interactions with Hallmark actors.
Many are not exactly household names, but they’ve starred in dozens of Hallmark holiday movies over the years and have loyal fan bases.
Abbott joined the cruise last year, and while he’s not a “cruise person,” he said he was fascinated to see how guests interacted with the stars.
“We’re a bit of a respite from what’s going on in the world right now,” he said, “and these experiences sort of hit on that at the right time and the right place.”
Movie Reviews
‘Leader’ Twitter review: Netizens call Legend Saravanan starrer a watchable commercial entertainer | Tamil Movie News – The Times of India
The action film ‘Leader,’ starring Legend Saravanan, released in theatres worldwide today (April 3). Directed by Durai Senthilkumar, the film features an ensemble cast including Andrea Jeremiah, Lal, Shaam, and Payal Rajput. The film opened in more than 300 theatres across Tamil Nadu and is already trending on social media with audience reactions. After facing heavy trolling for his debut film ‘The Legend,’ Saravanan returned with ‘Leader,’ hoping to prove himself as a commercial action hero. Fans quickly took to social media to share their reviews of the film.
Fans praise the action moments and the second half
Several viewers called ‘Leader’ a watchable commercial entertainer. According to fans, the movie takes time to pick up but becomes interesting as it progresses. Several social media users said the second half is enjoyable after the first half. Several reviewers also noted that the film becomes more entertaining in the second half. The interval block and some action sequences are considered the best parts. The train fight in the climax also caught the attention of online fans, who described the sequence as a brilliant ride that adds to the movie’s overall excitement.
Mixed reactions from viewers on performances and story
While some viewers focused on the amazing action sequences, many considered it a typical mainstream commercial film. Viewers further complained that the first half of the film took too long, and some plot points were too predictable. Nonetheless, many fans agreed that Legend Saravanan’s acting in this film is much better than in his last project. The works of Andrea Jeremiah, Shaam, and Lal have also earned applause from fans. Music director Ghibran has been praised for his background score, which many fans mention added life to several scenes.
‘Leader’ – Plot and cast
‘Leader’ is set in the Thoothukudi port city; the lead character is a car mechanic who works in a large gangster dock. It presents the lead hero’s views on polar opposites and features thrilling battles with the villain. A recent flashback details the hero’s difficult past and differences, offering insight into his main reason for being at the dock. Legend Saravanan, along with Andrea Jeremiah, Shaam, Lal, and Payal Rajput, are in the lead cast. It is an action-packed mass film for commercial movie lovers.
Rapper Pooh Shiesty kidnapped and robbed fellow rapper and mentor Gucci Mane in a music studio ambush, federal prosecutors say.
The Department of Justice announced on Thursday that Memphis rappers Pooh Shiesty and Big30 planned and executed the “coordinated armed takeover” at a Dallas music studio in January.
According to prosecutors, eight of nine suspects in the incident, including Pooh Shiesty, born Lontrell Williams. Jr., and his father, Lontrell Williams Sr., who’s known around the Memphis music scene as “Mob Boss,” were arrested Wednesday in Nashville and Memphis, Tenn., and Dallas.
Williams Jr. allegedly arranged a “business meeting” with Gucci Mane to discuss the terms of his recording contract. Things took a turn and, according to the Justice Department, Williams Jr. brandished an AK-style pistol and forced one of the victims to sign a release from the recording contract at gunpoint.
Big30, born Rodney Wright Jr., allegedly barricaded the studio door with his body to prevent Gucci Mane and the other victims from escaping.
The other men involved in the ambush also pulled out firearms and robbed the other victims of Rolex watches, jewelry, cash and other high-value items, according to a federal complaint, which also states that one victim was choked nearly to unconsciousness.
In 2020, Gucci Mane, born Radric Davis, signed newcomer Williams Jr. to his record label 1017 Records. Davis came across the “Breaking News” rapper after several of his singles started to gain traction on social media. The rapper’s 2021 breakout hit, “Back in Blood,” climbed the Billboard charts, and Williams Jr. went multiplatinum.
The same year, the rapper received a five-year prison sentence on firearms conspiracy charges out of the Southern District of Florida. In October, Williams Jr. was released early after serving three years on the condition that he would serve home detention.
The “Federal Contraband” hitmaker was still on house arrest in January when the alleged music studio takeover took place. According to the complaint, evidence used to charge the men included electronic monitoring data that placed Williams Jr. at the Dallas studio, which also violates the terms of his home detention conditions.
Other evidence included phone records, records confirming that Williams Sr. rented a car used by the men, surveillance video from the studio, fingerprints recovered from the crime scene matching those of two defendants, records placing some of the men at a nearby hotel after the robbery, and social media posts that pictured some of the charged men with what appeared to be stolen watches and jewelry, prosecutors said.
“These defendants will be transported to the Northern District of Texas to face their crimes,” said D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Tennessee.
Williams Jr.’s legal representation did not respond to a request for comment on Thursday.
If convicted, each defendant faces a sentence of up to life in prison.
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Movie Name : Biker
Release Date : April 03, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 3.25/5
Starring : Sharwanand, Dr Rajashekhar, Malvika Nair & Others.
Director : Abhilash Reddy
Producers : Vamsi Krishna Reddy, Pramodh Uppalapati
Music Director : Ghibran Vaibodha
Cinematographer : J Yuvraj
Editor : Anil Pasala
Related Links : Trailer
Sharwanand has now come up with the sports drama Biker. Directed by Abhilash Reddy, the movie stars Rajasekhar in a key role. Let’s see how the film is.
Story:
Vikas Narayan aka Vikky (Sharwanand) is a top-class motocross racer.. Since childhood, he is trained rigorously by his father Sunil Narayan (Rajasekhar). However, Vikky suddenly leaves the sport, putting his father in a tough spot.
Why did Vikky leave racing? How is he connected to Ananya (Malavika Nair)? What is her role in his life? What happened after Vikky left the sport? This forms the crux of the story.
Plus Points:
We have already seen multiple sports dramas in Tollywood, but motocross racing has never been explored before, and that becomes the USP of Biker. Even though a few moments appear familiar, the unexplored territory in Telugu cinema keeps the proceedings engaging, and credit where it’s due.
The sport sequences are superbly shot and choreographed. Some moments truly keep us on the edge of our seats. To make a film on a less popular sport in India by weaving emotional moments around it, the director does a pretty good job in helping the movie connect with the regular audience.
Sharwanand looks in his best shape, and it’s good to see him try his hand at multiple genres. He brings sincerity to his performance as a professional racer and is effective in the emotional segments as well. His scenes with Rajasekhar work well. With Biker, Rajasekhar (Angry Man) reaches a new level, playing his part with utmost dignity and elegance.
When veterans play their age and become an integral part of the story instead of trying to outshine others, it’s a pleasure to watch. From here on, Rajasekhar could become the go-to actor for character roles in Telugu cinema. The second half is comparatively more engaging with decent emotional depth. Malavika Nair is fine in her role.
Minus Points:
Biker plays it safe in key moments with familiar tropes, which prevents it from reaching the next level. The vulnerability of the protagonist should have been explored more during the actual racing portions to make it stand apart from regular sports dramas. Some elements feel too easy for the hero to achieve, which takes away from the realism.
Instead of external factors, if the hero had been troubled by his own internal thought process during the racing, the impact could have been much higher. The episodes involving the hero’s sponsorship needed better execution.
The racing scenes are no doubt solid, but the moments leading up to them could have been still better. The conflict point between the lead pair is meaningful, but it is underutilized. The first half is slow at times, and isn’t upto the mark on the whole.
Technical Aspects:
Ghibran’s background score is solid in the thrilling moments, and the sound design is excellent. Cinematographer Yuvraj does a fabulous job in picturizing the racing sequences. The editing is fine in the latter half, but needed improvement in the first half.
The production values are solid. Director Abhilash Reddy takes up a not-so-popular sport and delivers an engaging film with a fair number of good moments. Had he avoided a few clichés, the movie could have reached a whole new level.
Verdict:
On the whole, Biker is an engaging sports drama with a never-before-explored motocross racing backdrop and good performances. The racing scenes are brilliant, and the film is carried by Sharwanand and Rajasekhar with their impressive performances. The first half is slow, and there are a few convenient moments. The use of certain tropes could have been avoided for better impact. Nonetheless, if you enjoy sports dramas, Biker turns out to be a satisfactory watch.
123telugu.com Rating: 3.25/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team
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