Hallmark Is Entering Its Reality TV Era, And As A Fan, I Have Mixed Feelings

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Last year, the popular Christmas movie producer Hallmark stepped into the realm of reality TV, and now they’re planning to delve deeper into this genre. Following the broadcasts of shows like Celebrations with Lacey Chabert and the competition series Finding Mr. Christmas, the network is looking to expand its reality TV offerings, which has left me feeling ambivalent.

As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, Hallmark Television is set to launch a fresh selection of reality shows, aiming for their premiere in 2025. Among these, you’ll find the second seasons of both Celebrations with Lacey Chabert and Finding Mr. Chrismtas. Also joining the lineup are a baking competition show and a murder mystery series, which will be an excellent fit for Hallmark’s Mystery channel. The exciting news is that these new programs will air exclusively on Hallmark before becoming available for streaming the next day.

It appears that the Hallmark execs are treading cautiously when venturing into this type of programming, labeling their upcoming series as “Reality Television Infused with Emotion.

Currently, having seen every movie on Hallmark Channel during their 2024 Christmas season, I find myself grappling with mixed feelings about the channel’s transition into the realm of reality television.

Hallmark Reality TV Could Bring Some Wholesomeness To The Genre

On the one side, I’m thrilled about the upcoming selection of reality TV shows that steer clear of dramatic and harmful incidents. Although I enjoy the Bravo series “The Real Housewives” and TLC’s “90 Day Fiancé” along with its derivatives, it will be a nice change to engage with programs that have less profanity and more peacefulness in their interactions.

Previously, “Finding Mr. Christmas” demonstrated that you can create an engaging competition series without requiring participants to resort to deceit or sabotage each other for success. Now, as the new season premieres first on the Hallmark channel, even more individuals will have the opportunity to witness this heartwarming show (and similar ones) unfold.

But I’m Worried About What It’ll Mean For Hallmark’s Scripted Projects

I’m thrilled about Hallmark venturing into a fresh genre, but I can’t shake off a sense of concern regarding its impact on their scripted productions. Since it seems they may be pouring more effort and resources into these new unscripted projects, there’s a possibility that traditional Hallmark offerings, such as their original Christmas movies, could face some negative repercussions.

Opting to incorporate a fresh genre at this juncture could be considered somewhat daring, given the intense rivalry Hallmark’s Christmas movies face from streaming platforms such as Netflix (who secured Lacey Chabert for an exclusive holiday movie last year) and Great American Family (currently bolstered by former Hallmark actress Candace Cameron Bure). Furthermore, a family-friendly reality TV show is still relatively novel and may require some adaptation from die-hard reality TV enthusiasts.

It’s understandable to feel concerned about this decision considering the current state of the TV industry. However, I’ll make an effort to stay hopeful. Many cable networks and companies have successfully balanced their scripted and unscripted shows without compromising quality, so I believe Hallmark will manage it too.

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2025-04-03 22:38