• by Erik Sass  @eriksass1, March 4, 2013

The Hallmark Channel and Meredith Corp. have struck a syndication deal giving the cable TV channel, owned by Crown Media Family Networks, access to "The Better Show" for its lineup of daytime lifestyle programming.

Under the terms of exclusive two-year cable rights agreement, beginning in fall 2013, "The Better Show" will air weekdays on the Hallmark Channel, a day after first airing via national syndication.
 
Produced by Meredith Video Studios, "The Better Show" is a talk show which combines segments drawing on Meredith magazine brands. including Better Homes and Gardens, Parents, Family Circle, More and Fitness with celebrity interviews and cooking segments with celebrity chefs.

Airing weekdays in 160 markets (up from 90 markets two years ago), it has attracted advertisers in categories including beauty, fashion, DIY, retail, food and packaged-goods.
 
To date, "The Better Show" has produced over 1,200 episodes, and Meredith recently renewed it for a seventh season. On the Hallmark side, it helps fill the programming gap left by Hallmark’s decision not to renew its earlier agreement with Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia.
 
Although the Hallmark deal is Meredith Video Studios’ first cable network distribution agreement, it’s not the first collaboration with another media company.

Back in 2011 Meredith Video Studios announced a partnership with Premier Retail Networks to develop, create and produce custom video content for PRN's digital place-based video network in retail and supermarket locations around the U.S. It also has a two-year deal with Cozi TV, an NBCUniversal property, for “The Next Great Family Brand,” a reality-competition show.