Hallmark Movies Now

Last updated
Hallmark+
FormerlySpiritClips (2007–2014)
Feeln (2014–2017)
Company type Subsidiary
Industry Subscription video on demand
Founded2007;17 years ago (2007)
Headquarters
Los Angeles, California
,
U.S.
Key people
 Robert N. Fried, founder
Services Streaming media subscription service
Parent Hallmark Cards
Website www.hmnow.com

Hallmark+ (Formerly Hallmark Movies Now) is subscription video on-demand service owned by Hallmark Media. It primarily carries family-friendly movies, documentaries and short films, including Hallmark Hall of Fame movies and original content tied to Hallmark's cable networks.

Contents

The company was originally founded in 2007 by Robert N. Fried as SpiritClips, and was acquired by Hallmark Cards in 2012; it was then renamed Feeln in 2014, and then Hallmark Movies Now in 2017. It will be relaunched again in September 2024 as Hallmark+, which will also add a loyalty program for Hallmark retail purchases.

History

Hallmark Movies Now was founded in 2007 as SpiritClips. [1] The company was started by Robert N. Fried, a film producer and studio executive who has produced movies such as Rudy and Hoosiers . [2] [3] Fried created SpiritClips as a collection of family-friendly and inspirational films. [3] The service also allowed users to create personalized e-cards with provided photos and videos. [4]

In April 2012, SpiritClips was acquired by Hallmark Cards. [4] [5] SpiritClips already had an existing agreement with Hallmark for it to be the exclusive streaming home of the Hallmark Hall of Fame film franchise. [4] [6] Despite sharing common ownership, SpiritClips operated as an independent subsidiary, and remained separate from Hallmark's broadcasting division Crown Media—owner of Hallmark Channel. [2] In November of that year, Crown tentatively announced plans for its own streaming service, Hallmark Instant Streaming, which would be dedicated to the library of original movies and series produced for Hallmark Channel and its sister networks. [6]

In September 2014, SpiritClips was rebranded as Feeln (pronounced "feelin'"); Fried stated that the previous moniker gave the false impression that the service focused only on short-form content, rather than full-length feature films. [2] [7]

In July 2017, Crown Media announced that Feeln would be relaunched as Hallmark Movies Now in October 2017, with existing subscribers migrated to the service. [8] [9] In November 2017, the service became available on Amazon Prime Video Channels. [10] Movies Now's first original series, When Hope Calls , a spin-off of Hallmark Channel’s When Calls the Heart , premiered in August 2019. [11]

In July 2024, Hallmark announced that Hallmark Movies Now would be relaunched as Hallmark+ in September 2024. [12] [13] The relaunched service will add a loyalty program, where subscribers will receive gifts such as e-cards, and earn reward points that can be redeemed for Hallmark Cards retail purchases. The service will co-exist with Hallmark's streaming agreement with NBCUniversal's Peacock, and will also carry original movies, miniseries, and reality-style programs, including the Christmas miniseries Holidazed, movie series Groomsmen, the Ashley Williams-hosted "romantic comedy" dating show Small Town Setup, the Luke Macfarlane-hosted home renovation series Home is Where the Heart Is, and reality talent search Finding Mr. Christmas. [14]

Operations

Hallmark Movies Now is an on-demand video streaming service similar to Netflix that provides movies, documentaries, and short films that are suitable for all audiences, specifically families. [15] Hallmark Movies Now also edits films that do not have content suitable for all ages to have a PG rating, similar to how films are edited to be shown on cable TV. [15]

Along with iOS, Android, Roku and Amazon Fire and Channels, Crown Media is offering the streaming services to its existing multichannel video-programming distributors. [8] [10]

Programming

Hallmark Movies Now's programming consists of 800 and 1,000 hours not on the linear Hallmark channels. Seasons one and two of Chesapeake Shores were available via the service while season three was on Hallmark Channel in the summer 2018. [16]

Original TV programming

TitleGenrePremiereSeasonsLengthStatus
When Hope Calls Drama August 30, 20191 season, 10 episodes40-41 min.Ended [lower-alpha 1] [11]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Moved to GAC Family for season 2

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References

  1. ↑ Michael Stacy (2 April 2012). "Hallmark Cards acquires online video startup SpiritClips". Silicon News. Archived from the original on 25 October 2014. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 Todd Spangler (8 September 2014). "Hallmark Cards' Family-Oriented SVOD Service SpiritClips Renamed 'Feeln'". Variety. Archived from the original on 28 October 2014. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
  3. 1 2 Alana Semuels (10 September 2008). "SpiritClips hopes to inspire with Web videos". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 11 December 2014. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 Constine, Josh (2012-03-30). "Hallmark Greets Digital, Acquires SpiritClips To Let You Send Photo/Video E-Cards". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2024-08-23.
  5. ↑ "Kansas City's Hallmark Acquires L.A. Startup Spirit Clips". Serious StartUps. 9 April 2012. Archived from the original on 25 October 2014. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
  6. 1 2 Andrew Wallenstein (30 November 2012). "Hallmark enters movie streaming biz". Variety. Archived from the original on 9 September 2014. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
  7. ↑ Mike Snider (6 September 2014). "Cutting the Cord: Movies with Feeln". USA Today. Archived from the original on 24 September 2014. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
  8. 1 2 Umstead, R. Thomas (July 28, 2017). "TCA17: Crown Media to Launch Hallmark Drama Cable Network". Multichannel. Future Publishing Limited. Archived from the original on January 27, 2020. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  9. ↑ "Hallmark Launched an Amazing New Movie Streaming Service Just In Time for Christmas". Country Living. 2017-10-13. Retrieved 2024-08-23.
  10. 1 2 Lafayette, Jon (November 16, 2017). "Crown Launches Streaming Service Hallmark Movies Now on Amazon". Multichannel News . Archived from the original on August 29, 2020. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  11. 1 2 Owen, Rob (February 10, 2019). "Tuned In: Hallmark plans spin-offs of 'Chesapeake Shores,' 'When Calls the Heart'". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  12. ↑ Caruso, Nick (2024-07-11). "Hallmark Streaming Service Gets New Name, Price Hike". TVLine. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  13. ↑ Longeretta, Emily (2024-07-11). "Hallmark+ Streaming Service to Launch in Fall, Will Include First Holiday Limited Series, Original Movies and More". Variety. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  14. ↑ Rice, Lynette (2024-07-11). "Hallmark Launching New Streaming Service in September". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  15. 1 2 Rick Broida (26 July 2013). "SpiritClips streams family-friendly movies to your phone or tablet". CNet. Archived from the original on 25 October 2014. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
  16. ↑ Malone, Michael (April 30, 2018). "Hallmark Expands Brand With New Offerings". Broadcasting & Cable. Archived from the original on January 27, 2020. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
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