Hallmark Quietly Changing How Viewers Will Watch Content
If you think Hallmark has made a lot of changes, you haven’t seen anything yet. Hallmark Media has quietly made some new acquisitions that will forever change the network. What are these changes and why should viewers be ready for a huge change?
Hallmark Media Welcomes Two New Additions
In 2023, Hallmark Media quietly added two new members to their executive team who will fundamentally change how viewers watch the feel-good network from now on. Amid another successful Wedding Veil trilogy, the feel-good network has added two people that indicate what their focus will be in 2023. Moreover, this will dramatically change how viewers will watch movies, series like When Calls The Heart, and possibly more.
Firstly, according their to January 17 press release, they have appointed Emily Powers as Executive Vice President of Streaming & Digital Platforms. Second, according to their January 23 press release, they added Stefanie Nimick as Senior Vice President of Portfolio Content Distribution & Platform Marketing.
Who are these new additions? Most of all, what does this mean?
Who Is Hallmark Media’s Emily Powers?
The first new addition to the feel-good network’s executive team is Emily Powers. According to the Hallmark Media press release, Powers is now the EVP of Streaming & Digital Platforms. Most recently, the Georgetown University alum was at BritBox. There she had roles in business development and digital distribution at BBC Studios and NBC Universal.
When the addition of Emily Powers was announced, Hallmark Media CEO Wonya Lucas revealed the importance of her joining the team.
Over the last decade, Emily has established a winning track record of driving revenue through successful digital strategies, and she will play an important role as we further develop, evolve, and advance this area of our business,
Her expertise is particularly important at this stage in our company’s evolution, as the industry continues to shift in the direction of streaming and digital distribution.
Veteran digital media exec Emily Powers is joining Hallmark Media as EVP of streaming & digital platforms https://t.co/Bm9vJjelL0
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) January 17, 2023
Who Is Stefanie Nimick?
“Industry veteran” Stefanie Nimick has been added to the executive team. She is “Responsible for managing Hallmark Media’s strategic plans for renewals, contracts, and execution of content distribution to linear and digital partners.”
More so, Stefanie recently was at STARZ as the Senior Vice President of Distribution & Partnership. Before that, she worked for AMC Networks for 13 years. She “implemented multi-distribution and marketing strategies for AMC, WEtv, IFC, Sundance, and IFC Films.”
Why Will Emily Powers & Stefanie Nimick Change The Network?
The addition of Powers and Nimick indicates Hallmark is going to expand their streaming and other options. This will give viewers more choices in how they watch Hallmark’s content. Moreover, this will fundamentally change
During a time of cord-cutting, Hallmark is headed in a direction that will make it easier for viewers to find them and still enjoy their content.
Back in October, Hallmark went into a partnership with Peacock. This revolutionary move has been successful in increasing overall viewership. Viewers who may not have turned on the Hallmark Channel on cable are now streaming and enjoying, their content.
Could Hallmark Movies Now Be Changed?
Firstly, it seems inevitable that Hallmark will fundamentally change their current streaming service Hallmark Movies Now. Although this vehicle allows for fans of series shows like The Way Home, as new episodes are available the Thursday after the Sunday premiere, this does not apply to most new movies or mysteries. Only Hallmark Mahogany movies have been airing on Hallmark Movies Now on Thursdays, like the series.
Therefore, it looks like Emily Powers and Stefanie Nimick are coming in to revamp the service, and transform this into a viable streaming option.
Will the 2023 focus still be on expanding digital and streaming options? That remains to be seen. However, the evidence appears that this is a priority for Hallmark.
Are you a cord-cutter? Finally, would you like to see other streaming options? Let us know in the comments.
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I have YouTube tv and is the first time I have had Hallmark channels. Had no idea how much I would enjoy their movies. I love Tyler Hynes and wanted to see Flip this Romance so thought if I subscribed to Hallmark Movies Now I would be able to stream it. That was not the case. I like being able to stream whenever I want.
Been subscribed to Hallmark in the UK for last 15 months through Amazon,however the content of films has not changed since Christmas and are now vastly reduced, why is this? Unfortunately now cancelled my subscription as you seem to have lost interest in UK subscribers.
Hoopla, available to library patrons, now offers Hallmark Movies Now. However, the site lacks common options to control image quality, subtitles, playback speed, etc. Although my internet download speed is more than adequate, the Hallmark programs stutter. Frequently, the audio and video are disassociated. It is a disappointing experience.