‘Hallmark Cafe’ Podcasting Duo Uncover Hallmark+ Is Streaming In Mono
On Thursday, Hallmark announced that they are dropping the entirety of its 2024 Countdown To Christmas and Miracles Of Christmas movies. However, one podcasting duo is still waiting for the network to do one simple thing. They want the movies to stream in stereo.
Hallmark Cafe Podcasters Discover Hallmark+ Is Streaming In Mono
This holiday season, Santa may be leaving a few lucky recipients a Dolby Atmos system. However, those gift recipients may not want to test out their new sound system on Hallmark+. That is because a podcasting duo have discovered that Hallmark+ is streaming in mono.
The duo that has identified this flaw is the Hallmark Cafe podcasting couple, Dianne Garnett Killen and Michael Killen. From the beginning, they reported to their listeners that they enjoyed the programming on the rebranded streaming channel, Hallmark+. However, they were disappointed that most of the content was streaming in mono, not stereo. This was not the case with the network’s former streaming channel, Hallmark Movies Now. The network rebranded this to Hallmark+ in September.
Next, the Killens did an investigation. They watched about 20 movies. This was to specifically listen to see if they were in stereo. They revealed a few old movies were in stereo such as Kimberly Williams-Paisley’s former mystery series Darrow & Darrow and the Aurora Teagarden pilot. Unfortunately, they noted that the Aurora Teagarden Julius House mystery streamed was in mono.
Furthermore, they tested their Frndly TV App. This is another way Hallmark viewers can stream content from the linear channels. When they went to check out a “free preview” of the plus site on that app, it is in stereo. But, on on the actual H+ App, not in stereo. They state that a “good example of is the first five seconds of Mistletoe Murders. The sound effect is really split left and right. But, with the actual app, it is in the middle. Those who have a sound bar may find this harder to tell. Many people watch on their handheld devices. But, Dianne and Michael admit they are “old school,” and they have determined that not everyone notices this issue. It could be due to the way they stream the shows.
It should be noted that both have a cornucopia of production experience, with IMDb listings in many areas of film production. Moreover, Michael’s IMDb also includes the sound department for the series American Gladiators. Therefore, they know more than the average person about these matters. Besides, most networks have not broadcast in mono since the ’80s.
Most of all, they care about the production value of a movie or series. Their podcast doesn’t cover all Hallmark content released, only the movies or series that “make the menu.” They watch each movie twice to determine if they will talk about it because they don’t want to share negative reviews. Then, when they discuss each movie or episode, they like to take a deep dive into each production. The information they share includes the names of the production team. Often, they will comment on details that enhance the viewing experience for their listeners.
Because they were perplexed about the mono sound, they contacted Hallmark. The network response was that all Hallmark movies are in mono. But, Michael noted that that was not true. The content airing on the Hallmark Channel or Mystery Channel broadcasts in stereo. They were at a standstill. They needed a like-for-like example.
Thanks to Hallmark airing two episodes of Finding Mr. Christmas on the Hallmark Channel, they were able to confirm there was a problem. The Jonathan Bennett-created reality series streams in mono on Hallmark+. Yet, when they watched on the Hallmark Channel, it was in stereo!
Despite notifying the network, this situation has not been fixed. The Killens surmise that the issue could be “bandwidth.” Nevertheless, the couple still hopes that the network will fix this issue because they enjoy the content on the streaming channel.
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Hallmark Uses Well-Known Musical Talent In Many Holiday movies.
Perhaps, what is most perplexing about this situation is that many Hallmark movies feature music of such talents as Jennifer Hudson, or Gwen Stefani, or Broadway stars like Ginna Claire Mason. What is the purpose of the network to be streaming them in mono, when the music is meant to be in stereo?
New Streaming Series Are Winners With Fans
As the Hallmark Cafe and other podcasts have raved, the new streaming series on Hallmark+ are winners. Unfortunately, they are currently streaming in mono. The number one series everyone is talking about is Mistletoe Murders starring Sarah Drew, Peter Mooney, and Sierra Marilyn Riley. This is based on the Audible Original by Ken Cuperus. Cuperus is also the showrunner of the Christmystery streaming series, and the result is magic. Many call this series the best thing that the network has ever done.
Holidazed is another series on the streaming channel. This is an eight-episode holiday series about six families in a cul de sac in Oregon. With an ensemble cast that includes such favorites as Erin Cahill and Ian Harding, this is unlike anything the network has ever done before.
However, Christmas music is a big part of the productions. Therefore, it is unfortunate that it is not in stereo.
Hallmark+ subscribers, have you also noticed that the this streaming service is in mono, not stereo?
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