Martha Stewart is moving
to The Hallmark Channel. Martha will move her show to the channel and she will have control over a block of programming. The move gives Martha a specific time for her show nationwide and gives her the chance to produce new shows.
Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc., the company Ms. Stewart founded, doesn't make money on "The Martha Stewart Show," but uses it to promote the company's magazines, merchandise and other brands. The show has pulled in lackluster ratings, and Martha Stewart Living has warned it may have to discontinue production of the show in its current form.
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Unlike its existing arrangement where TV channels decide when to broadcast "The Martha Stewart Show," Hallmark Channel will air the show at 10 a.m. each day, and rerun it multiple times, giving extra opportunity to sell commercial spots.
Hallmark Channel, owned by Crown Media Holdings Inc., will start airing "The Martha Stewart Show" beginning in September, after the current NBC Universal distribution deal winds down. The companies said Tuesday they also expect to create other shows together, including an extra daily show featuring personalities other than Ms. Stewart, and holiday specials.
Martha Stewart Living expects to make more money from the new arrangement than it does from its current deal with NBC Universal.
Martha Stewart is 
