The Hallmark Movie Channel, which was renamed Hallmark Movies and Mysteries in September 2014 is a sister channel to the Hallmark Channel. Both of the Hallmark Channels are owned by Crown Media Holdings, which is controlled by Hallmark Cards. The Hallmark Movie Channel started in 2004 as a companion station to the Hallmark Channel. The channel is known for its family friendly programming and prides itself on being a safe option for audiences of all ages, as well as giving concerned parents peace of mind. Hallmark is currently syndicating many popular retired mystery series such as Murder She Wrote and Matlock, among others. The schedule indicates that the channel will start airing Hallmark original series on the sister channel as soon as spring of 2015.
The channel also airs original T.V. movies created by Hallmark from the production company's vast catalog of films. Hallmark is known for creating heart warming films which often celebrate love or family, showing characters overcoming circumstances to find romance or redemption. The vast majority of the films have a romance as the focal point. Other films created by Hallmark are based off of popular romance novels such as the Love Comes Softly series by Janette Oke. More recently, Hallmark Movies and Mysteries has decided to make movies with a mystery sleuth theme. Many of the films portray a witty, intelligent female protagonist who is in search of the truth. Hallmark has long had a tradition of making movies that everyone in your family will love, which is sure to be continued by Hallmark Movies and Mysteries.