After several years of changes to the leadership team at Hallmark Media, the company’s top programming execs are assembling a dream team of behind-the-scenes superheroes to oversee the ever-expanding Hallmark Universe.
In late March 2026, Hallmark announced that Chief Brand Officer Darren Abbott had been promoted to President of Hallmark Media, the subsidiary of Hallmark Cards Inc. that oversees its cable channels, streaming service Hallmark+, and massive fan events. Abbott’s promotion came a few months after Michelle Vicary returned to the network as the Head of Programming. With four more executive shifts announced on April 6, the creative team behind Hallmark Channel and its offshoots is looking stronger than ever.
Hallmark Welcomes Back Marybeth Sprow to Oversee Original Series
Vicary, who spearheaded series like “Chesapeake Shores” and launched Hallmark’s annual Countdown to Christmas programming event before her departure in 2021, is now eight months into her new role and has been busy curating her dream team.
That includes bringing back former VP of Original Programming Marybeth Sprows. Deadline reported on April 6 that Sprows is returning as SVP of Original Series — seven years after she left for Sony Pictures Television, where she launched and ran Affirm Television, producing faith-and-family programming.
Before her late 2019 departure, per IMDb, Sprows worked as a “creative executive” on Hallmark movies like the “Mystery 101” franchise, and holiday movies including “Return to Christmas Creek,” “Small Town Christmas,” “Christmas on My Mind,” and “Christmas in Vienna.”
In a statement, Vicary said, “Compelling series and beloved talent are highly regarded components of our business that bring perpetual joy to our viewers. I’m pleased to welcome Marybeth, a veteran producer and storyteller, back to the company where she will amplify Hallmark’s successful trajectory of original series.”
Tatiana Erasme Will Oversee Casting for Hallmark Media
GettyDeadline also announced on April 6 that Hallmark Media has promoted Tatiana Erasme to VP of Casting & Talent Strategy. Erasme joined the company in 2017 as Casting Manager and was later promoted to Casting Director, per LinkedIn. She’ll now oversee all casting decisions for Hallmark’s movies and shows.
In Vicary’s statement to Deadline, she said, “I’m also proud to celebrate Tatiana’s contributions and her ongoing dedication to her craft, which allow us to shine a spotlight on a sensational repertoire of talent, both longstanding and new, who have helped make Hallmark a place where fandom is ever-growing.”
Longtime Hallmark Channel Programming Execs Randy Pope & Samantha DiPippo’s Roles Expand
GettyIn addition to hiring back Sprows and promoting Erasme, Vicary has officially expanded the roles of two other longtime Hallmark execs who are part of her programming leadership team.
According to an April 6 press release, Randy Pope, who’s been with Hallmark since 2012, has an expanded role as SVP of Original Movies and Physical Production, now overseeing “core movie development, coproductions and physical production teams.”
Samantha DiPippo, who’s been with Hallmark since 2017, has gone from SVP of Programming, which had her overseeing all scripted content, to SVP of Programming & Content Innovation. A Hallmark Media spokesperson confirmed with EntertainmentNow that DiPipp’s expanded title formalizes her role overseeing “key tentpole movies and brand partnerships” such as Hallmark’s upcoming Christmas movie filmed at Disney World starring Lacey Chabert and its
In addition to premiering at least one original movie each weekend, Hallmark has already announced two new Hallmark+ series in 2026. The network launched its gritty “When Calls The Heart” sequel, “Hope Valley: 1874” in March starring Bethany Joy Lenz, Benjamin Ayres, and Jill Hennessy. And Chabert has been filming a limited series in France and Spain to launch on the streamer later this year, called “Paris Is Always a Good Idea,” based on a book with the same title .
You all need to make changes. I have watched everything from the beginning. it has gone downhill for a while. I quit subscribing to Friendly because it changed for the worse.
Did they pay you for this?
Bring back The Way Home. Someone has misunderstood how popular this show has been to a multigenerational audience. The fan group I’m in is 48k members strong and mourning the recent cancellation. This could easily be a steady performer like When Calls The Heart.
I hope Hallmark goes back to the programming that made it the number one cable channel by being Family-Oriented.
I got rid of my Hallmark cable because it went downhill so badly. I also could not leave the TV on when my niece’s children were here.
Hallmark has always included actors and actresses of all backgrounds they just didn’t flaunt it like they did after changing in 2022.
They need to get Garage Sale Mysteries, the Marth’s Vineyard series, and the Witch series with Catherine Bell and James Denton.
It seems like Hallmark got rid of the actors that made it for Hallmark.
I would say something has shown Hallmark that the viewers who made it the number one Family-Oriented Cable were upset with Hallmark and cancelling their cable subscriptions.