‘When Calls The Heart’ Fans Dismayed Hallmark Announces New Series
On Monday, Hallmark made a major programming announcement. However, When Calls The Heart fans were not terribly happy with this news.
What is the latest Hallmark news, and what is Hearties saying?
Credit: ©2022 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Eike Schroter
Hallmark Announces New Yellowstone-Like Series Called Ride
On Monday, while Hearties waited for news on the renewal of When Calls The Heart, they got some very different news. Instead, Hallmark announced that they greenlit a new primetime drama called Ride.
According to the Blink49 Instagram page, Ride is a multigenerational ranch family saga, focusing on three generations of women.
RIDE is a multigenerational family ensemble following the lives of the Murrays, part of a rodeo dynasty going back a generation, as they struggle to keep their beloved ranch afloat. After a tragic loss, each character embarks on an empowering journey of transformation and self-discovery while also uncovering a twisted web of secrets, threatening to tear the family and their small Colorado town apart at the seams.
Emotions run high and clashes are common in the complicated Murray clan, but they are a tight-knit group who don’t give up easily. And the three strong women of the family – widowed rodeo queen Missy, matriarch Isabel, and former teen run-away Valeria – resolve to stand strong against all challenges and save their land, come what may. #RIDE
Although no names have been attached to this Yellowstone-like series, it will be filmed in Calgary later this year. Hallmark plans to premiere it in 2023.
This is the second series that Hallmark has announced. Exactly one month ago, on May 13, they announced the time-travel drama, The Way Home. Although the network has not yet announced a cast, they also plan on premiering the new series in 2023.
However, the feel-good network has yet to say anything about When Calls The Heart.
When Calls The Heart Fans Frustrated About Lack Of Renewal Announcement
Amidst the news about Ride, Hearties are very frustrated that Hallmark has not yet announced that When Calls The Heart has been renewed for Season 10. Sleepy Kitty Paw shared the Ride announcement on Twitter. A few Hearties shared their frustration on the social media platform.
One wrote, “I find it odd that Hallmark is announcing all of these new series. And yet they have not announced the renewal of When Calls the Heart for season 10 which is their # 1 rated show.”
Next, another responded, “If Hallmark wants us to watch any new series, they should reward their loyal viewers with an announcement of renewal for WCTH. It’s their highest rated show. I’m stumped.”
A third gave an ultimatum, “Well don’t expect me to watch any other new or old show until we get an answer on WCTH renewal. Period……”
Lastly, one frustrated viewer threatened to leave Hallmark altogether. “Well if they add 2 new series and don’t renew WCTH which is #1 cable show. I won’t be watching Hallmark……”
Hallmark announces another new series, a co-production with Canada's Bell Media, RIDE, about a Rodeo family.
Earlier this year they also announced THE WAY HOME, from the team behind HEARTLAND.https://t.co/Fy6kFzRknQ
— Ho! Ho! Holiday Viewing! (@SleepyKittyPaw) June 13, 2022
Why Is Hallmark Taking So Long On Announcing When Calls The Heart Renewal?
Hearties have waited a very long time for When Calls The Heart Season 10 news. Why is Hallmark taking so long? There could be a cornucopia of reasons why the network has not yet renewed the series.
They may be looking at what the storyline will be next season. Last year, they renewed the series before the chaotic Team Nathan social media outcry after the Season 8 episode finale that featured Elizabeth’s decision.
Everyone agrees that the series let this love triangle go too long. The aftermath was brutal to the brand. Hearties expressed their unhappiness with declarations that they were done with the series. There are still disheartened Hearties that are trolling Hope Valley groups online.
Next, Hallmark may be discussing production costs. This is a huge cast, and filming is around 5 months in the Vancouver area. Could there be a discussion on how to lower costs to greenlight another season?
Then, there is always the chance that Hallmark is ready to let this series go. There is now a new regime, with a new direction. They have greatly reduced making mysteries and ramped up dramas. They may have decided that it is time to end WCTH with one last season.
Could WCTH Go To GAC?
Many Hearties believe that When Calls The Heart will go to GAC, where former Hallmark CEO, Bill Abbott, is the CEO.
This is possible, as Brian Bird has already hinted that he can easily shop the series elsewhere. While many assume that GAC could pick up the series, as they did with the WCTH spinoff, When Hope Calls, that seems increasingly unlikely. But Hallmark may have to let it go for the series to move somewhere else. Also, the new network may not be able to afford this sort of series.
Although GAC has filmed and aired When Hope Calls Christmas, they have not resumed filming the remainder of Season 2 in the spring, as they had originally announced. Worse yet, the television ratings for the former Hallmark series were likely very disappointing for GAC Media.
The Bill Abbott-led network has been mainly quiet since the shock announcement that Candace Cameron Bure defected from Hallmark to GAC Media. The last non-holiday movie GAC premiered was in February. They have since made two Christmas movies for 2022.
In addition, now that CCB is involved in programming, she is likely ready to develop her own series and movies. She has her own production company. Moreover, when she moved to GAC, she signed on to do more than act. She is now in an executive role, with many financial perks. A good businesswoman would want to create her own content, with her own production company.
However, some have pointed out that should When Calls The Heart move anywhere, the likely place is UPtv, as they air Heartland. Some of the stars and many of the fans intersect between the two series.
Will Hallmark Renew When Calls The Heart In July?
The bottom line is that it seems unlikely that Hallmark would just cancel When Calls The Heart without a proper ending. This is a top-rated series. They are not going to just end it without some sort of satisfying end.
For example, when Hallmark canceled Good Witch, they announced it before the final episode. In addition, they filmed two different endings, depending on the fate of the series. One was a cliffhanger if it was to be renewed. The other was the series finale, which tied up all loose ends.
As for Chesapeake Shores, Hallmark did not announce that show’s renewal until they began shooting Season 6. At that time, they announced the renewal, but they also shared that the series would end.
Based on both of these instances that have happened under new Crown Media CEO Wonya Lucas, it seems likely that when they will announce the next season, it will be when they start production. If that is the case, that means Hearties have to wait until July. For the past two years, WCTH has started production earlier, in July, due to the longer season, and Covid protocols.
Lastly, Hallmark announced The Way Home on May 13. Next, they announced Ride on June 13. Is it possible that they will announce a WCTH series renewal on July 13?
Hearties, what do you think?
I think that you have made a huge mistake in cancelling WCTH. Your fan loyalty is tanking. Many of us are not planning to watch very much, if anything, on Hallmark in the future. We are going to the channel that will carry WCTH. We are furious that it is a channel that is going to cost us even more money to watch it. I may have to drop the Hallmark channel that I currently get through Prime Video, to pay for the new channel.
Haven’t watched this show in years the writing in the past two years has been terrible. JT is a terrible showrunner Alfonso Monero was the best
When Calls the Heart is still a VERY GOOD AND UPLIFTING SHOW! Will always watch it for how long would it takes.
Im tired of all the LGBTQXYZ bs being shoved in our faces constantly….i never cared until it was everyday every show every commercial …its ridiculous n shameful that Hallmark is caving in 😫😳 i wont be watching Hallmark this summer thats for sure 🤔
Not interested in any new Hallmark series or movies. Cancelling my Hallmark channel too.