Hallmark Channel - Controversies

Controversies

Hallmark Channel and sister channel Hallmark Movie Channel were removed from the AT&T U-verse lineup on September 1, 2010 due to a carriage dispute. It is assumed that Hallmark wants to substantially increase fees, and that AT&T does not wish to pay these greatly-increased fees.

Blogger Donna Cavanagh has raised a concern with the network regarding its allowable on-air language policies, describing them as "censorship at its worst". Words such as "ass", "hooker", and possibly "butt" are dubbed out. In response to Cavanagh's inquiry, a representative of the network said:

Crown Media Networks is committed to family friendly programming. Our Standards & Practices ("S&P" — the things that are or are not acceptable for a particular network) are very conservative. There are words and phrases commonly used on other cable channels and broadcast networks that Hallmark Channel's S&P guidelines deem unacceptable.

Cavanagh accused the network of hypocrisy in blocking such material as being objectionable according to the network's standards while continuing to broadcast sitcoms such as Frasier and The Golden Girls, which often feature themes of sexuality and promiscuity.