Distribution
“Continued success fueled by Hallmark brand’s embrace of inspiration, kindness, and hope”: Hallmark’s Francisco J. González
Mumbai: Hallmark Media markets and distributes Hallmark’s original signature content to every international market around the world.
Their networks in the US include Hallmark Channel, their flagship network; Hallmark Movies & Mysteries; the new linear channel Hallmark Drama; and the SVOD platform Hallmark Movies Now. Apart from media, the brand has forayed into many exciting businesses which allow its fans to touch and feel the brand be it merchandise, wine and even themed cruises! With a legacy spanning over a century, Hallmark Media encompasses a wide range of television programs, movies, and other content produced and aired by networks like Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, and Hallmark Drama.
This platform is synonymous with heartwarming, family-friendly entertainment and is especially known for its seasonal programming, including beloved holiday traditions like Countdown to Christmas. With a vast library of original movies and series, often set in charming small-town settings, Hallmark has cultivated a dedicated fanbase appreciative of its inclusive and emotionally resonant storytelling. As a staple in both holiday and everyday entertainment, Hallmark continues to connect with audiences worldwide.
Hallmark Media is represented by Brandwith, a premier representative and distribution company in the Asia Pacific Region.
Indiantelevision.com in conversation with Hallmark Media senior VP- international distribution Francisco J. González on email on the legacy of Hallmark Media, on what sets them apart and much more……
On Hallmark Media and its mission in the entertainment industry
Hallmark Media is home to top-rated, widely beloved programming that makes people feel good. Our goal is to provide our viewers with a wholesome, positive, and light-hearted viewing experience across our channels and platforms, and we deliver on that mission. Notably, flagship network Hallmark Channel is a top draw year-round and especially during the holiday season with its highly popular programming franchise Countdown to Christmas, which has earned the network the #1 spot among entertainment cable with Women 18+ during the Fourth Quarter for nine consecutive years.
On being well-known for its heartwarming and family-friendly content
Hallmark Media’s brand identity is rooted in the legacy of the iconic Hallmark Card brand, which has been in the business of helping people create meaningful connections that enrich their lives for over 113 years. Our success as an entertainment destination continues to grow in large part due to the guiding principles of the Hallmark brand, which fully embrace stories of inspiration, kindness, and hope.
On the dedicated audience that looks forward to its holiday-themed content
Our priority year-round is to develop a diverse mix of content, characters, and storylines that create an environment where everyone is seen and feels welcome. Further, we establish relationships with talent both in front of and behind the camera that reflect the lives and experiences of all our viewers. For example, we’re proud to put forward programming franchises like Loveuary, which celebrates love – from romantic love, to love between siblings, neighbors, friends, and more – during February, the most heartwarming month of the year and a time when many celebrate Valentine’s Day.
On Hallmark Channel having a unique niche in the market
Hallmark Channel is a unique success story in the cable landscape, continually ranking as a top-rated entertainment cable network and delivering compelling new content that helps them escape from the troubles of the world for a moment. What makes the network stand out year after year is its commitment to providing content that makes people feel good and inspires hope, love, and the celebration of a happy ending.
On the content having a positive and wholesome appeal
We create programming that reflects modern storytelling and allows everyone to share in the Hallmark experience. What’s more, we establish relationships with a wide range of writers, producers, directors and actors to identify and authentically develop stories that reflect the lives of our audiences. What we hear from our viewers is that our efforts allow them to see themselves in our programming in a meaningful way, while spotlighting a broad range of experiences, beliefs, backgrounds, and lifestyles.
On the belief that sets Hallmark Media apart from other entertainment companies, and your vision for the future of the brand
One thing that sets us apart from other entertainment companies is our devoted fanbase. They are an anomaly in this industry – passionate, engaged, loyal, and the reason for all that we do. Looking ahead to the future, we will continue to bring them fresh stories and new opportunities to connect with our brand.
New Delhi: Prasar Bharati has thrown open applications for fresh capacity on DD Free Dish, signalling a timely opportunity for broadcasters looking to expand reach without long-term lock-ins. The public service broadcaster has issued a dual notice for its 95th and 96th online e-auctions, aimed at filling vacant MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 slots on a pro-rata basis for February and March 2026.
The two auctions are tentatively scheduled to begin on January 27, with allotments valid from February 1, 2026. Applications for both auctions close on January 21 at 3 pm, giving channels a narrow window to get their bids in.
The 95th e-auction will cover vacant MPEG-2 slots, while the 96th will focus on MPEG-4 capacity. Participation is limited to satellite television channels holding valid downlinking and uplinking permissions from the ministry of information and broadcasting. International public broadcasters cleared by the ministry are also eligible.
As with previous rounds, channels have been grouped into buckets based on genre and language, with sharply differentiated reserve prices reflecting reach and demand.
For the MPEG-2 auction, Hindi and Urdu general entertainment channels sit at the top of the pile. The starting reserve price for bucket A+ in the first round is Rs 2,63,48,000. Movie, music and sports channels in Hindi and Urdu follow in bucket A at Rs 2,10,14,000. Bhojpuri channels and other Hindi and Urdu genres, excluding devotional content, fall under bucket B with a reserve of Rs 1,78,62,000. Hindi and Urdu news channels in bucket C start at Rs 1,33,27,000, while bucket D, which includes regional language channels, English news and devotional or spiritual channels, begins at Rs 1,13,96,000.
The MPEG-4 auction comes in at a far leaner price point. News and current affairs channels in Hindi, English or pan-India languages, grouped under bucket G1, start at Rs 13,41,000. Non-news genres under bucket G2 have a reserve of Rs 8,80,000. Regional languages such as Marathi, Punjabi and Gujarati in bucket R2 begin at Rs 4,84,000. Southern language channels in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam, grouped under bucket R1, start at Rs 81,000, the same reserve price set for other scheduled 8 regional languages in bucket R3.
Prasar Bharati has underlined that compliance will be closely watched. Broadcasters must ensure that at least 75 per cent of their monthly programming, excluding advertisements, aligns with the declared genre and language. Any deviation could trigger show-cause notices or even removal from the DD Free Dish platform.
For channels chasing reach in a crowded market, the message is clear. The window is brief, the prices are set and the audience is waiting. On DD Free Dish, visibility still comes cheap, but only for those ready to move fast.
