Posted on 12/03/2019 2:27:31 PM PST by Ennis85
While many are still reeling from recent revelations that Chick-fil-A has opportunistically traded the Christian principles upon which it was founded for “woke,” pro-LGBT social justice causes, the head of the Hallmark Channel —famous for its family-friendly Christmas movies— indicated that Hallmark will likely begin to produce holiday films which include gay characters and themes.
This year, Hallmark's legendary “Countdown to Christmas” will feature two dozen new, original movies produced by the channel. They will be shown 24 hours a day during the weeks leading up to Christmas.
Bill Abbott, CEO of Hallmark parent Crown Media Family Networks (CMFN), said in a recent interview that Hallmark “differentiates itself from its competition” because its content is “relentlessly positive, family friendly, always appropriate for all members of the family.”
“Across the board, we’re attracting an audience across every demographic,” announced Abbott.
In the past, Hallmark has stated, “We are not an issues-oriented network: our goal is for every viewer who comes to us to feel happier and better because they watched.”
During the holidays, Hallmark viewers skew younger than the rest of the year.
Abbott explained that viewers can feel comfortable watching Hallmark’s movies without having to worry about running for the remote because an inappropriate scene suddenly pops up.
Despite having built a huge audience by providing a reliable, safe refuge for family viewing during an era when even Disney offers a minefield of pro-LGBT programming aimed at kids, the head of Hallmark’s parent company indicated that “Hallmark is ‘open’ to doing any type of movie — including with gay leads,” according to a Hollywood Reporter interview.
“I’m gay, where are the same-sex movies?” asked one of the interviewers during a Hollywood Reporter podcast. “Have you talked about incorporating stories about same-sex couples at Christmas?”
“We’re open to really any type of movie of any type of relationship,” declared Abbott.
The interviewer lamented that when she and her “wife” visit relatives during the holidays, the TV is tuned to the Hallmark Channel 24/7 but the type of relationship she and her “wife” have is not reflected in any of the programming.
The interviewer pressed Abbott about whether Hallmark is dedicated more to building a large, broad audience than it is to representing the diversity of “the society that we’re in.” The CMFN CEO said, “In terms of broadening out the demographic, it’s something we’re always thinking about, always considering.”
“In a culture that values offensive sex acts, profanity, and violence overall, the Hallmark channel is doomed,” predicted PJ Media’s Megan Fox. “The diversity activists will never be satisfied.”
The majority of TV viewers want “to watch entertainment that represents them or doesn't include a constant assault on morality and decency,” and so “they're relegated to one cheesy channel that plays nothing but sappy Christmas movies most of the year,” continued Fox. “But when the social justice soldiers get done with Hallmark, they won't even have that.”
“The sustained campaign against the Hallmark channel will work, as illustrated with the channel's CEO, Bill Abbot, signaling that they are open to gay stories,” said Fox.
Fox said she believes that “Hallmark is not interested in pleasing its base of ‘moms and grandmas’ and will instead try to please the outrage mob that doesn't watch their channel.”
A commentary penned for LGBTQ Nation just days after the Hollywood Reporter interview with CMFN CEO Bill Abbott was published observed that Hallmark’s Christmas movies all follow the same pattern:
"A couple meets, begins to fall in love, and each person knows that they’re perfect for the other; then, a dramatic moment when the two are about to have their first kiss is interrupted by someone. In the end, the audience has to wait until the last scene to have that first kiss."
“Which demographics are waiting breathlessly for those kisses? Women and gay men. So ratings won’t be hurt,” suggested the commentator.
His assertion clashes with the reality that the Hallmark Channel Christmas movies attracts lots of families with children precisely because parents don’t have to worry about LGBT plotlines intruding on their holiday TV enjoyment.
And if Hallmark’s Christmas line-up already has a substantial, loyal gay following who enjoy their Yuletide fare, why change anything?
All Hallmark movies are the same recycled scripts.
My wife watches them.
I sat in on a few, mostly to laugh at the cheesy factor.
Hallmark did run vintage Columbo for a while.
Wilma!!!!!!
Okay, so I just will not watch the Hallmark channel. I hate these slobs who push the queer agenda. They sicken me.
“These Hallmark movies aren’t Christian anyway.”
I enjoyed some of the movies on the “UP” channel. It’s supposed to be family friendly with a gospel music history. I assumed, “Christian”. The last one I watched will be the last one I EVER watch. A character was a guy, obviously homosexual. He was portrayed as the one sane person in a sea of borderline nut cases. The homo part wasn’t stressed until the last scene when he was introduced to another twink and the googly eyes began. Enough already!
Their web site: “UP TV is an American digital cable and satellite television network that was founded to have a focus on gospel music. It has expanded into family-friendly original movies, series, and specials.”
“They are all the same movie. Faces change,”
Faces don’t even change much, either, any more. They recycle the same leading men and leading ladies all the time.
I binge watched one day when I was crafting, and three of the movies had the same store front. In One movie it was a book store, then a bakery, and then a diner. They even had the same cheesy large cut-outs of nutcrackers standing on the steps.
I thought the main theme was Klaus Nomi’s Kristmas Disco
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UrbCKkoJ0U
What a good way to destroy your business!
My wife watches Hallmark TV because its simple love stories, uncluttered with modern trash culture.
When the first gay character that appears, she will turn it off and never return.
All hallmark movies are about finding a “workaholic” rich guy and making him bake cookies all day.
And can someone PLEASE tell them that Paris is a s*ithole rape factory!
It sounds like the beginnings of what happened to The Family Channel. Pat Robertson sold it to ABC with the provision that they keep the title for a time and play The 700 Club in perpetuity. One of the very first things they did was air There’s Something About Mary with the phrase “Adults are family, too!” They’ve gone through a couple of name changes, but they still play The 700 Club with disclaimers that it does not reflect their views. And, even though they are still marketed to families, they have some of the most despicable programming, including a show that had two preteen boys kissing. It’s been over 20 years since it was sold, but Disney ABC still delights in using the channel to twist the knife in its old Christian owners.
the work for the male lead is giving the female lead whatever she wants.
IF it happens, it won’t be this year. The movies are already made. You are safe.
Another company pandering to .1% of the population.
SMH
I think I’ll stick with Cousin Eddie pumping out the toilet in the RV in “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”.
“the type of relationship she and her “wife” have is not reflected in any of the programming.”
That’s because it’s DEVIANT! Not fit for “family” viewing!
You and your so-called “wife” are not a FAMILY!
You are PERVERTS!
In your own home I don’t care what you do. Don’t try to force Hallmark to bring your filth into my home!
Strange. Existed in 1970s and I never heard of him. Thanks.
That came to my mind too (Disney’s perversion of The Family Channel).
Thanks for the history on that. I thought why in the world is 700 Club on that flaky channel. It all makes sense now.
Flakey*
“The interviewer lamented that when she and her “wife” visit relatives during the holidays, the TV is tuned to the Hallmark Channel 24/7 but the type of relationship she and her “wife” have is not reflected in any of the programming. “
That is because you and your “wife” are literally 1.5% of the population
I note they have added some numbers to the petition. I am surprised there are not more signatures, but it is a new petition and it is the holiday season.
I hope that Freepers who have taken time to post a comment here will take time to sign the petition.
I hate to see another corporation succumb to the LGBTQXYZ agenda. There are fewer and fewer wholesome viewing options and role models for young girls/ladies, and less and less family-friendly viewing.
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