"Hallmark" to air on ABC

Hallmark says it has signed a multiyear deal to premiere Hallmark Hall of Fame movies exclusively on America's ABC Television Network. As of the 2011-2012 TV season, Hallmark Hall of Fame movies will air first on ABC, with encore broadcasts set for a week later on Hallmark Channel. "We're delighted our movies will premiere exclusively on ABC starting with our 61st television season," Brad Moore, president of the Hallmark Hall of Fame, said in a statement Thursday. "Since our very first talks with ABC last year we've looked forward to this announcement. Our agreement to follow ABC premieres with encores on Hallmark Channel is an exciting, unprecedented use of broadcast and cable." "A week after the Hallmark Hall of Fame network premiere on ABC, Hallmark Channel will air four encore broadcasts over a weeklong period," added Bill Abbott, president of Crown Media Networks. "This will bring even more exceptional, high-profile programming to our audience, and increase the viewership and impact of the Hallmark Hall of Fame series. We're delighted to be a partner." The first Hallmark movie to premiere on ABC will be "Mitch Albom's Have a Little Faith," based on Albom's best-selling book. It will star Laurence Fishburne, Bradley Whitford and Martin Landau.