PEORIA, Ill., March 30 (UPI) -- The Hallmark Channel will officially debut its new cable movie channel with a special ceremony this week in Peoria, Ill., the network's leader announced.
The cable group picked the Peoria Civic Center to unveil its new channel as a sign of respect for the Midwestern ideals Hallmark Chief Executive Officer Henry Schleiff associates with his network, the Peoria (Ill.) Journal-Star reported Sunday.
"We think that Peoria is the perfect place to kick off the new channel," Schleiff said regarding Wednesday's scheduled event.
"We're coming to the heartland because we think it represents a perfect fit for Hallmark, the home for heart, hearth and home."
Schlieff told the Journal-Star the new network would offer non-stop family movies such as the Hallmark original film "A Grandpa for Christmas."
"Grandpa" will air on the Hallmark Movie Channel following the Peoria event and will be paired with the film "Son of the Dragon," which stars "Kung Fu" star Keith Carradine.
