Frndly TV subscribers are now facing the possibility of losing access to the Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Mystery and Hallmark Family. The potential removal of the channels is is due to a carriage dispute between Hallmark and Roku.
Key Takeaways
- Frndly TV subscribers may lose access to Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Mystery, and Hallmark Family due to a carriage dispute between Hallmark and Frndly TV’s new owner, Roku.
- Hallmark claims Roku is unwilling to negotiate a new agreement and has launched KeepHallmark.com to raise public awareness and exert pressure for a resolution.
- The potential removal of the channels coincides with Hallmark’s popular ‘Countdown to Christmas‘ event.
Earlier this year, Roku purchased Frndly TV. Now, in what appears to be one of the first major negations under the new management, Frndly TV subscribers may lose access to popular Hallmark channels.
In a bid to bring customer attention to the issue, Hallmark began warning viewers over the weekend that the channels were subject to a dispute, and the possibility that they could be removed from the Frndly TV lineup.
Hallmark has also launched KeepHallmark.com to further highlight the issue. On the consumer awareness page, Hallmark says the dispute is the result of Roku’s unwillingness to negotiate on what it considers to be fair terms.
“Frndly TV’s new parent company, Roku is unwilling to meaningfully engage on an agreement to keep Hallmark on Frndly TV.”
Hallmark also said it remains “committed” to maintaining mutually beneficial relationships with distribution partners and will continue “to make every effort to reach a new deal with Frndly TV.”
If a new deal is not reached, Frndly TV subscribers could lose access to Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Mystery and Hallmark Family.
From the perspective of Hallmark fans, the dispute probably couldn’t come at a worse time. Hallmark kicked off its ‘Countdown to Christmas‘ event earlier this month, and a number of new movies are due to be shown on the channels during the event.
Although Hallmark hasn’t specified exactly when the channels will be dropped without a new deal, the timing would suggest the deadline could be days away.
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