Hallmark Channel Slates Martha Stewart Programming

NEW YORK: Hallmark Channel has added a slate of all-new programming from Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, with an original "how-to" block set to launch exclusively on the cable network this fall.

The new programming includes the debut of The Martha Stewart Show on Hallmark Channel starting September 13 at 10 a.m. for a weekday slot. Following The Martha Stewart Show, Hallmark Channel will air two new series, between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. weekdays. This includes a new hour-long talk show, executive produced by David Steinberg and hosted by Sirius XM’s Whatever hosts Alexis Stewart and Jennifer Koppelman Hutt. The two will explore the daily headlines and everyday issues on the minds of viewers across the country. From 12 p.m. to 12:30 p.m., Mad Hungry with Lucinda will air. The show features Lucinda Scala Quinn, the executive food editor at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, host of the radio show EatDrink on Sirius XM and author of a number of cookbooks.

Kicking off at 12:30 p.m. is the half-hour show Everyday Food, which offers practical cooking solutions. From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. each weekday, Hallmark Channel will put the spotlight on select episodes from Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia’s library, including From Martha’s Kitchen, From Martha’s Home and From Martha’s Garden, among others.

There will be encore airings of The Martha Stewart Show at 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays. Stewart is also preparing two prime-time specials, celebrating Halloween and Christmas. She is also gearing up for two prime-time interview specials, featuring innovators in the fields of entertainment, politics and culture.

"Everyone at Hallmark Channel is thrilled to be welcoming Martha Stewart to our family this September,” said Bill Abbott, the president and CEO of Hallmark Channels. “It is a watershed time for us. Not only are we working with the acknowledged leader in cooking, décor, design and gardening, but we also have the opportunity to develop a fully integrated lifestyle block of programming on multiple platforms which speaks to the strengths of both Hallmark Channel and Martha Stewart. We believe it will speak to our viewers, distributors and advertisers.”

Stewart commented: “With Hallmark Channel we have found a perfect home for our programming, and I’m excited that we will be able to offer audiences even more of the informative, entertaining and inspiring content they want and expect from us.”

Charles Koppelman, MSLO’s executive chairman and principal executive officer, added: “For some time, it has been a strategic goal to expand our broadcasting presence and further cultivate the deep pool of talent we have at our company. With Hallmark Channel, a brand that is compatible with our mission and values, all the pieces have come together. We now have an on-air destination for Martha Stewart followers and are better positioned than ever to serve the women who identify with our brand on a network that reaches 90 million households.”