AT&T Cuts Hallmark Channels In Carriage Fight

AT&T U-verse TV has dropped Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel from its lineup. The two companies were unable to agree on a new carriage deal. Both networks went dark for AT&T customers at 12:01 a.m., ET today.

MediaPost reported last week that Hallmark Channel said AT&T U-verse had "threatened" to drop it if a new carriage agreement wasn't achieved before Sept. 1. Negotiations hit a standstill as of Aug. 26.

Bill Abbott, president and CEO, Hallmark Channels, said in a release he was "moved by the immediate support from our loyal viewers," who utilized Facebook, Twitter and e-mails asking AT&T to keep the networks.

Hallmark Channels is continuing to encourage its viewers to call 1-888-MADE-4-FAMILY or go to www.donttakemyhallmarkchannels.com to request that AT&T keep both entities.

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Abbott said that Hallmark Channels will re-start negotiations toward a good-faith distribution agreement. "I was stunned by the apparent disregard for the facts in AT&T's recent statement regarding our negotiations. However, if they are really serious, my team and I are ready for truly fair negotiations," said Abbott.

The women-targeted network has a new deal to air Martha Stewart lifestyle programming starting Sept. 13. The cabler is owned by Crown Media and claims a national audience of 90 million subscribers.

1 comment about "AT&T Cuts Hallmark Channels In Carriage Fight".
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  1. Mike Einstein from the Brothers Einstein, September 1, 2010 at 9:07 a.m.

    90 million subscribers yet only 750,000 viewers on average in prime? Didn't there used to be a Hallmark channel?

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