Hallmark Reinstates Michelle Vicary to Lead Programming

Hallmark Media has rehired veteran executive Michelle Vicary as head of programming, three years after her departure, in a move executives say will accelerate the company’s “One Hallmark” cross-platform strategy.

Chief brand officer Darren Abbott confirmed the appointment on August 5—Hallmark Channel’s 24th anniversary—calling Vicary “a beloved industry leader” whose deep knowledge of the brand will guide its next phase of growth.

Vicary spent 22 years at Hallmark, rising to executive vice president of programming before stepping down in June 2021. During that tenure she launched the lucrative Countdown to Christmas franchise and green-lit cornerstone series such as “When Calls the Heart” while broadening on-screen diversity.

In her new role she will oversee all original movies and series for Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Mystery and the year-old Hallmark+ streaming service, reporting directly to Abbott. The hire follows a January reorganization that eliminated former programming chief Lisa Hamilton Daly’s post and transferred all consumer-facing activity to Abbott, and a June shake-up that elevated longtime finance executive John Matts to company president.

Analysts note that Vicary’s track record of scaling holiday output—Hallmark premiered 44 original Christmas titles in 2023—positions the network to meet ambitious 2025 content targets without diluting its family-friendly brand. With upstart rivals courting Hallmark talent, observers expect her longstanding relationships to help retain marquee stars and attract new voices.

Early reaction has been upbeat: multiple Hallmark actors reposted the news with “welcome home” messages, framing her return as a morale boost after a year of executive turnover. Variety first reported the rehiring, which takes effect later this month.