‘The Martha Stewart Show' Leaving Syndication For Cable

Will air exclusively on Hallmark Channel starting fall 2010; MSLO will also produce new series and specials for cabler

By Alex Weprin -- Broadcasting & Cable, 1/26/2010 11:43:38 AM

The Martha Stewart Show is leaving the world of broadcast syndication to go to cable. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia has signed a deal with Hallmark Channel to exclusively present new episodes on the cable network starting in fall 2010.

In addition to The Martha Stewart Show, MSLO will develop and produce new original series and specials to complement the talk show and Hallmark's current lineup of movies and classic television series.

Starting in the fall, new episodes of The Martha Stewart Show will run weekdays on Hallmark from 10-11 a.m., followed by additional content from MSLO from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The strip will continue to be taped in New York in front of a live studio audience.

The series is in its fifth season and is currently distributed by NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution.

"This is a match made in TV heaven. We couldn't be more excited about welcoming Martha Stewart to the Hallmark Channel family.  She is the undisputed leader in cooking, home décor, design and gardening, and The Martha Stewart Show is the kind of high-quality, programming that celebrates life, exemplifying Hallmark Channel and the Hallmark brand," said Bill Abbott, president and CEO of Hallmark Channels. "We believe the creative programming, branding and advertising opportunities this partnership presents are limitless. As these properties join our already strong lineup which includes a full slate of original movies, our viewers, distributors and advertisers will continue to see in Hallmark Channel a destination like no other." 

"It has long been a dream of mine to bring our unique evergreen content to television in an expansive way. I'm delighted that we have found the perfect home for the kind of programming that consumers look to us for, a home that is devoted to excellence, family life and celebrations - what we call living," said Stewart. "Our core values and content areas--entertaining, weddings, crafting, cooking, gardening, holidays, pets and humor--are a perfect fit with Hallmark Channel. I'm thrilled with the opportunity to further develop MSLO's deep pool of talent and provide audiences with exciting new programming that educates, informs, entertains and inspires."