Hallmark CEO Bill Abbott Exits Hallmark Channel

Bill Abbott, the president and CEO of Hallmark parent company Crown Media, is exiting the cable network after 11 years on the job. The news was announced Wednesday in a press release posed on Hallmark’s corporate site, and it comes on the heels of Abbott removing four commercials that featured a same-sex wedding. Following a major backlash, Abbott reversed his decision, but it was too little too late, no doubt.

Last week, Hallmark Channel canceled its bi-annual dinner at the Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour.

“I will begin a search for Bill’s replacement,” said Hallmark Cards CEO Mike Perry in a statement. Hallmark Cards Inc. owns Crown Media, which owns the Hallmark Channel.

Unlike other broadcasters broadening their scope in the diverse world we live in, Hallmark Channel remains sorely lacking in this area.