#TCA17 NEWS: HALLMARK CHANNEL IS GOING TO THE DOGS…AND CATS!

On the night of Hallmark's Big TCA event, they reveal...

PRESS RELEASE VIA HALLMARK...

PETS TAKE CENTER STAGE IN THREE NEW, ORIGINAL MOVIES PREMIERING IN 2017

PASADENA, CA – January 14, 2017 – Hallmark Channel will premiere three new, original movies in 2017 featuring furry, four-legged stars that share the spotlight with their human costars. They join the network’s pet-centric programming that includes “Hero Dog Awards,” “Kitten Summer Games,” “Paw-Star Game,” Happy Yule Log (starring pet ambassadors Happy the Cat and Happy the Dog), the recently announced “Meow Madness” and the event that launched the Kitten Sports franchise, “Kitten Bowl.” The announcement was made at a semi-annual meeting of the Television Critics Association in Pasadena. “Through our Pet Project initiative, Hallmark Channel strives to raise awareness for the plight of homeless animals and shine a spotlight on the benefits of bringing a pet into your home,” said Michelle Vicary, Executive Vice President Programming and Network Publicity, Crown Media Family Networks. “Not only do they bring great joy to our everyday lives, but as you’ll see in these three movies, they also just might lead you to romance and help you find your perfect match.”

‘WALKING THE DOG’ – Saturday, February 4 (9 p.m. ET/PT) Stars: Jennifer Finnigan (“Tyrant,” “Better with You”), Sam Page (“Switched at Birth,” “Mad Men”)

Kristie Simmons (Finnigan) is the local attorney representing her township in what should be a simple case of improving public transportation. The county has hired good-looking, hot shot attorney Keith Ames (Page) from Chicago, and suddenly Kristie has met her match. Things go from bad to worse when Kristie’s new dog Simon and Keith’s dog Minnie fall in love with each other and keep running away to rendezvous, constantly bringing together the defense and prosecution in this case. Kristie is leading what she thinks is a perfect life, but she’s missing everything that really matters. Could it be that her nemesis in this case is everything she’s looking for? Keith might also just find what has been eluding him – a reason to put down roots – if these two can learn to work together and take a lesson from puppies in love.

‘LOVE AT FIRST BARK’ (Spring) Stars: Jana Kramer (“One Tree Hill”)
Julia Evans (Kramer) is a free spirit whose personal life is a mess. When her new puppy, an adorable but out-of-control German Shepherd named Brad, destroys nearly everything in her apartment, Julia turns to obedience trainer Owen for help in “fixing” Brad. After teaching Julia the changes she needs to make in her own life in order for Brad to feel comfortable and settle down, Julia faces her next challenge – the budding romance she finds herself forming with Owen.
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‘LIKE CATS AND DOGS’ (Spring) Spencer is a cat person. Lola is a dog person. Spencer is headed to a beach town to meet his perfect online dating match. Lola is coming to the same town to escape the shambles of her life. Their personalities couldn’t be more different but when a reservation mix-up lands them – and their pets – in the same vacation rental house, they all have to figure out how to get along without killing each other. Soon a friendship blossoms, and an unlikely romance. But whether a dog person and a cat person can find love with each other remains to be seen.

Hallmark Channel’s Pet Project helps families locate and adopt pets, provides information on taking care of pets, and other resources. For more information visit http://ift.tt/2jRUj9H.

ABOUT HALLMARK CHANNEL Hallmark Channel is Crown Media Family Networks’ flagship 24-hour cable television network, distributed nationwide in high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) to 89 million homes. The country’s leading destination for quality family entertainment, Hallmark Channel delivers on the 100-year legacy of the Hallmark brand. In addition to its signature original movies, the network features an ambitious lineup of other original content, including scripted primetime series, such as “Good Witch” and “When Calls the Heart”; annual specials like “Kitten Bowl” and “Hero Dog Awards”; and a daily, two-hour, lifestyle show “Home & Family . ” Additionally, in November 2014, Hallmark Channel became the exclusive home to world premiere presentations of the acclaimed Hallmark Hall of Fame franchise. Dedicated to helping viewers celebrate life’s special moments, Hallmark Channel also offers such annual holiday programming events as “Countdown to Christmas” and “Countdown to Valentine’s Day . ” Rounding out the network’s diverse slate are television’s most beloved sitcoms and series, including “The Golden Girls,” “The Middle,” “Last Man Standing,” “Little House on the Prairie” and “Frasier.”

Posted in: Movies on TV