Is It Possible For Actors To Work For Both Great American Family And Hallmark?

A Hallmark fan on the Hallmark Movies Reddit asked about the contracts signed between Hallmark and Great American Family stars. The reason for this is that the new programming giant has been able to swoop up several Hallmark actors and create similar-feeling movies. Some Hallmark stars have left the network for Great American Family, including Candace Cameron Bure and Cameron Mathison.

Great American Family was started by Bill Abbott, who ran Hallmark Channel for 20 years. Hallmark’s boss addressed the issue of Great American Family poaching their actors during the Summer TCA Tour, and gave a definitive answer. In just a few short years, Great American Family has become a favorite among fans, partly because of its star power and partly because many Hallmark stars opted to join.

According to this article, the deals are non-exclusive, but it still seems pretty unlikely that the big names will work for both companies. Hallmark CEO Mike Perry and Lisa Hamilton Daly, Executive VP of Programming for Hallmark Media, addressed Great American Family poaching their actors. The short answer is that it depends on the deal, as in the Hallmark world, they offer both exclusive and non-exclusive contracts. Each actor must make the choice that is best for them and their new beginnings at the family-friendly Great American Family.

A full list of Hallmark stars who left the network for Great American Family (formerly GAC) includes Candace Cameron Bure and Danica McKellar.

Can Actors Be On Both Hallmark And Great American Family?

The ongoing competition between Hallmark and Great American Family (GAF), formerly known as GAC, has created confusion among fans regarding the contracts of actors associated with both networks. Many stars have made the switch from Hallmark to GAF, including prominent names like Candace Cameron Bure and Danica McKellar, leading to debates about whether actors can work for both networks simultaneously.

The nature of their contracts plays a crucial role in this situation. Actors signed under "exclusive" agreements cannot work with competing networks for specific genres, particularly rom-coms, while "multi-picture" contracts typically encompass two films.

Despite this, many actors remain independent, allowing them to take projects from either network if offered. The rivalry intensified after GAF emerged as a serious competitor to Hallmark, prompting a strategic focus on capturing Hallmark’s talent pool to produce similar content. Notably, Hallmark's CEO and the executive VP of Programming have acknowledged GAF’s efforts to attract their actors. As such, the entertainment landscape continues to evolve, with a growing list of Hallmark stars leaving for GAF, raising questions about the future dynamics and project availability in the holiday movie genre.

Is Great American Family Competing With Hallmark?

The competition in the Christmas movie landscape is intensifying, with Great American Family (GAF), previously GAC Family, pursuing Hallmark Channel's audience since its launch in September 2021. Led by Bill Abbott, a former CEO of Hallmark's parent company, GAF is attempting to lure loyal Hallmark viewers by attracting current and former Hallmark stars. Despite these efforts, GAF has yet to match or surpass Hallmark's ratings, raising questions about how it might enhance its viewer engagement.

Critics have noted that the quality of GAF's dialogue and character development is lacking when compared to its competitor. Hallmark executives maintain that they do not consider GAF a serious threat, though the movement of actors between the two networks has stirred controversy. GAF has focused on family-friendly and romantic content reminiscent of Hallmark’s style, establishing its presence under the ownership of Great American Media.

The rivalry has prompted Hallmark veterans to sign exclusive contracts, with some choosing to work with both networks. Overall, the race for holiday movie supremacy continues, with both networks vying for viewership.

What Is The Average Salary Of A Hallmark Actor?

Hallmark movie actors' earnings vary significantly based on their roles, time on set, and billing positions. Typically, they earn between $5, 600 and $24, 000 per movie. Leading roles played by well-known celebrities can command salaries as high as $65, 000. However, most actors generally take home about 70% of their earnings after deductions. Weekly pay for Hallmark actors ranges from $1, 251 to $3, 575, according to the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) scale.

Featured stars, such as Luke Macfarlane, can expect higher compensation for their involvement. The productions themselves often operate on budgets around $1 million, qualifying as low-budget films under SAG guidelines. Thus, actors’ wages can vary between $50, 000 to $200, 000 for movies with budgets around $2 million. Notably, Hallmark’s top-paid actors include the likes of Lacey Chabert and Alicia Witt, with estimates of around $350, 000 and $150, 000 respectively for their roles.

All factors influence earnings, including an actor's experience level and project type. While salaries may appear modest compared to Hollywood standards, they reflect differences in budgetary constraints and production scale for Hallmark's festive film offerings. Ultimately, opportunities exist for actors to achieve significant financial success within this niche industry.

Did Luke MacFarlane Quit Hallmark?

Luke Macfarlane took a break from acting on television in 2022, yet he didn't join a rival network. Instead, he announced his return to Hallmark, expressing gratitude for the opportunities he received from the channel. Macfarlane is set to star in a Christmas movie this year, which will be his 14th project with Hallmark. While he contemplated moving on due to his dissatisfaction with repeatedly playing the same romantic roles, he felt that Christmas wouldn't be complete without a Hallmark movie featuring him.

In previous interviews, he hinted at a potential departure from the network, citing that he had told his story. However, he has confirmed his participation in the upcoming movie alongside Lacey Chabert, Hallmark's first signatory. Macfarlane acknowledged that Hallmark compensates well, and his rate increases with each film. Despite his recent return, he has voiced doubts about continuing with similar roles long-term, recognizing the limitations of these types of projects.

His comments reflect both his fondness for Hallmark and a readiness to explore new opportunities as he looks to diversify his acting repertoire in the future, while maintaining his connection to the channel that has been significant in his career.

Is GAC Replacing Hallmark?

On September 27, 2021, the channel originally known as GAC Family was relaunched as Great American Family (GAF), adopting a programming strategy akin to the Hallmark Channel, focusing on original holiday-themed films. This rebranding was initiated by GAC Media, led by former Hallmark CEO Bill Abbott, who acquired the network after it was originally created as Great American Country. Several actors transitioned from Hallmark to GAF, expressing dissatisfaction with Hallmark’s evolving direction, which included greater representation of diverse couples.

Notable stars such as Candace Cameron Bure and Danica McKellar have signed deals with GAF to develop, produce, and star in original content, thus aiming to capture Hallmark’s audience. The network seeks to build on the familiar feel-good formula that has defined holiday programming on Hallmark, bolstered by familiar talent. After the acquisition, GAC Family was rebranded as Great American Family in 2022, alongside GAC Living being changed to Great American Living.

Despite facing skepticism regarding its potential to rival Hallmark’s popularity, GAF continues to pursue a family-friendly audience with a strong emphasis on romantic movies and holiday specials, aiming to carve its niche in the competitive landscape of cable television entertainment.

Does Great American Family Have Actors?

Great American Family has significantly expanded its actor roster, announced in June 2023 the casting of Matthew Morrison and Jen Lilley in the sequel "Paris Christmas Waltz," which follows Hallmark Channel's "The Christmas Waltz." Several key Hallmark stars, including Candace Cameron Bure, have shifted to Great American Family, causing controversy and competition in the holiday movie arena. Notable actors who have joined include Danica McKellar, Jessica Lowndes, Jesse Metcalfe, and Trevor Donovan, among others.

This migration reflects Hallmark's challenges as they face stiff competition for talent. Great American Family aims to attract loyal Hallmark viewers while poaching both current and former actors, which Hallmark's leadership addressed during recent events. The network's emergence as a holiday movie contender, featuring many familiar faces from Hallmark, has stirred discussions about the reasons behind these transitions. It appears that actors seek new opportunities to create inspiring content beyond their existing roles.

With a lineup that includes actors like Lori Loughlin, Chad Michael Murray, and Cameron Mathison, Great American Family is poised to redefine holiday entertainment while Hallmark grapples with the loss of some of its most prominent stars.

Is The GAC Family Owned By Hallmark?

Gac Family, now known as Great American Family, is owned by GAC Media, which includes former Hallmark Channel CEO Bill Abbott. Acquired in June 2021, the channel was previously called Great American Country. Under Abbott's leadership, the network has attracted many actors from the Hallmark Channel, leading to significant interest among fans of family rom-coms. The rebranding to Great American Family took place in 2022, marking a distinct shift from Hallmark, which has undergone leadership changes since Abbott's departure.

Abbott's vision for Great American Family is to create a family-friendly network that captures the essence of his previous work at Hallmark. While GAC Family is working to establish itself, it has yet to surpass Hallmark’s popularity. Many familiar faces, including Cameron Bure and others who starred in Hallmark productions, have transitioned to the new network, signaling a change in the landscape of family entertainment. Therefore, Great American Family is steadily carving out its niche in the competitive realm of family-oriented programming, building upon Abbott's legacy from his time at Hallmark.

Who Is The Richest Hallmark Star?

Candace Cameron Bure, with a net worth of $14 million, is best known for her role as D. J. Tanner on the '90s sitcom "Full House." She has since become a prominent figure in Hallmark films, appearing in numerous holiday movies and starring in the "Aurora Teagarden Mysteries" franchise. Other notable Hallmark actors include Luke Macfarlane and Andrew Walker, both with a net worth of around $2 million, while Brooke D'Orsay holds $3 million.

Hallmark actors can earn between $5, 600 and $24, 000 per film, with leading roles fetching up to $65, 000, reflecting their experience and popularity, especially for veteran stars like Bure and Lacey Chabert, who has an estimated net worth of $4 million from her extensive roles in Hallmark movies.

Pay scales from the Screen Actors Guild indicate that Hallmark leading roles can offer weekly earnings from $1, 251 to $3, 575. The earnings of Hallmark stars often surprise fans, showcasing their financial success alongside their holiday-themed career paths.

Did Some Actors Leave Hallmark For GAC?

Goodbyes can be tough, particularly for fans of Hallmark Channel as several beloved actors have transitioned to Great American Family (previously GAC Family). This shift includes stars like Candace Cameron Bure, Cameron Mathison, and Lacey Chabert, the first signed by GAC. While many speculate on the reasons for these departures, often citing personal values and beliefs, it’s important to note that only a handful of actors have signed exclusive contracts with GAC.

With Bill Abbott, the former CEO of Crown Media, at the helm of GAC, five major stars made the leap, leaving Hallmark to pursue new opportunities. Despite the absence of prominent actors such as Bure and Danica McKellar, Hallmark remains optimistic about its future. The network has faced scrutiny over diversity issues, prompting some actors to seek new beginnings at GAC. A complete list of actors who transitioned from Hallmark to GAC includes not only Bure and McKellar but also others like Jen Lilley, Jessica Lowndes, and Trevor Donovan.

What Happened With Hallmark And The Great American Family?

Formerly known as Great American Country, the network has been rebranded as Great American Family and is now owned by a group led by ex-Hallmark Media CEO Bill Abbott. Acquired by GAC Media in June 2021, the network transitioned to GAC Family, expanding its presence alongside the sister network Great American Living, which highlights lifestyle content. The rebranding has intensified competition with Hallmark, especially as notable Hallmark stars like Candace Cameron Bure and Cameron Mathison have switched sides to join Great American Family.

Bure’s decision to leave Hallmark was influenced by Abbott's leadership and the potential for original programming at Great American Family. While Hallmark has traditionally focused on family-friendly movies, the emergence of Great American Family has marked a significant shift in the landscape, with the former Hallmark stars now contributing to its growing offerings. The network aims to attract audiences with original holiday films and seasonal programming.

Following Hallmark’s cancellation of its daily lifestyle show, Home and Family, several stars have transitioned to Great American Family. The rivalry between the two networks is palpable, and there is ongoing speculation regarding their future trajectories amidst evolving viewer expectations.