Hallmark Channel Upfront Presentation Canceled Due To Storm; Net Makes Announcements, Including ‘When Calls the Heart’ Renewal, At Central Park Event

Crown Media Family Networks got creative when its upfront was canceled Wednesday due to the arrival of Winter Storm Toby in New York City. Big snowstorms in March certainly aren’t unheard of — Toby is the fourth nor’easter this month alone — but this might be the first time a storm forced the cancellation of an upfront event.

Undeterred, president/CEO Bill Abbott and EVP ad sales Ed Georger, along with Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries’ fan favorites Candace Cameron Bure and Danica McKellar, headed to snowy Central Park, where they held a Facebook Live event to unveil what’s in store for the upcoming broadcast season (see photo above).

Key announcements include a Season 6 renewal for popular original scripted drama series When Calls the Heart, along with a second-season pickup of docuseries Meet the Peetes.

Hallmark Channel also is bolstering its Movies & Mysteries lineup with three new original movie franchises and expanding its pet initiative adoption Ever After with new original special Cat Bowl and the renewal of American Rescue Dog Show. In addition, the channel will launch its first interactive Home & Family Dream Holiday Home Decorating Contest.