How to pitch a TV show to Hallmark Media

In its own words

“For legal reasons, we do NOT accept or consider unsolicited scripts, creative ideas, suggestions, or materials.”

“It is the Hallmark Channel’s policy not to accept or consider unsolicited ideas, proposals and/or other creative materials (e.g. scripts, treatments, stories, etc.).”

What it has bought from outside

1. 1992

   RHI Entertainment (film library of 1,800+ hours) from RHI Entertainment $378 million

   “In April 1992 Hallmark Cards purchased RHI Entertainment for $378 million plus $50 million in debt” en.wikipedia.org

2. 1995

   Filmation animation library from Paravision

   “In January 1995, Hallmark Entertainment acquired the library of animation studio Filmation from Paravision” en.wikipedia.org

3. When Calls the Heart from Janette Oke's book; created by Michael Landon Jr. and Brian Bird

   “When Calls the Heart is a Western romantic drama television series inspired by Janette Oke 's book of the same name from her Canadian West series and created by Michael Landon Jr. and Brian Bird.” en.wikipedia.org

Other companies that take a TV show

• PBS KidsHas a submission portalPBS KIDS takes show proposals through its online submissions portal.
• Shark Tank (ABC)Open applicationShark Tank’s producers are looking for entrepreneurs, inventors and creators to pitch the Sharks.

• 

  BBCHolds open callsBBC Writers’ Open Call takes scripts from writers aged 18 and over living in the UK or Ireland.
• Bravo (NBCUniversal)Does not take outside ideasBravo’s parent NBCUniversal accepts no unsolicited submissions for shows and takes a license to anything sent anyway.
• Cartoon NetworkDoes not take outside ideasCartoon Network falls under Warner’s terms, which accept no unsolicited stories, scripts or ideas and owe nothing for what is sent anyway.
• Discovery ChannelDoes not take outside ideasWarner Bros.
• Great American MediaDoes not take outside ideasGreat American Media is taking no unsolicited pitches, scripts or programming ideas for now, and expects to open a submission system later.
• HBODoes not take outside ideasHBO accepts no unsolicited concepts, stories or ideas, and treats anything sent as free for its use.

All of them, open doors first