RESIDENTS OF HOPE VALLEY PULL TOGETHER TO CREATE A SPECIAL HOLIDAY "WHEN CALLS THE HEART CHRISTMAS"

With Limited Commercial Breaks, Two-Hour Season Four Sneak Preview Premieres Sunday, December 25 on Hallmark Channel

Part of Network's Popular "Countdown to Christmas" Programming Event

STUDIO CITY, CA, November 28 - A new, two-hour, sneak preview special "When Calls the Heart Christmas," will premiere Christmas day on Hallmark Channel, Sunday, December 25, (8 p.m. ET/PT). The special preview of season four of the popular series "When Calls the Heart" will be presented with limited commercial breaks. The stars are Erin Krakow ("Army Wives"), Lori Loughlin ("Fuller House," "90210"), Daniel Lissing ("The Last Resort"), Jack Wagner ("The Bold and the Beautiful") Pascale Hutton ("Sanctuary") and Kavan Smith ("Supernatural"). Season four of the popular drama series returns early 2017.

"When Calls the Heart Christmas" is part of the network's top-rated seasonal franchise event "Countdown to Christmas," during which 19 all-new, original movies will premiere this holiday. Nearly 80 million viewers come to Hallmark Channel during the programming event's eight-week run, routinely driving the network to be #1 among all broadcast and cable nets.

When a train derailment delays the arrival of much needed food, supplies and gifts, Christmas in the town of Hope Valley is in jeopardy. With the help from a mysterious visitor (Terence Kelly, "Bates Motel"), a simple peddler who has a knack for helping people find what they need, Jack (Lissing), Elizabeth (Krakow), and Abigail (Loughlin) rally the town residents to come together in the true spirit of giving, proving that Christmas really is the season for miracles.

"The themes of community, family and faith featured in 'When Calls the Heart' strongly resonate with our viewers and have helped earn the series one of TV's most devoted fan bases, the social media phenomenon known as the #Hearties," said Michelle Vicary, Executive Vice President, Programming and Network Publicity, Crown Media Family Networks. "These same values take center stage during Christmas so it's a perfect time to give our fans a special preview of the new season."

For the first time, Hallmark Channel is celebrating the holidays with a special "12 Days to Christmas" event. Beginning Tuesday, December 13, "When Calls the Heart" stars Loughlin, Krakow, Lissing, Wagner, Hutton and Smith will be featured in vignettes in which they share with viewers their most treasured Christmas memories and traditions. The exclusive on-air spots will air daily, throughout the day, until Christmas Eve.

Hallmark Channel's Original Primetime Series "When Calls the Heart" is WCTH Season 4 Production in association with Brad Krevoy Television and Believe Pictures. Brad Krevoy, Robin Bernheim Burger, Brian Bird, Michael Landon Jr., Susie Belzberg, Eric Jarboe, Michael Shepard and Jimmy Townsend are executive producers. Paul Jackson, Cynthia J. Cohen, Amanda Phillips Atkins, Derek Thompson, Neill Fearnley, Peter DeLuise and Michael Rohl are co-executive producers. Vicki Sotheran and Greg Malcolm serve as producers. Richard Manning, Charles Lazer, Simon Richardson and Shelley Matheson are supervising producers. Doran S. Chandler and Vince Balzano are associate producers. Based on the novel by Janette Oke.

ABOUT HALLMARK CHANNEL

Hallmark Channel is Crown Media Family Networks' flagship 24-hour cable television network, distributed nationwide in high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) to 89 million homes. The country's leading destination for quality family entertainment, Hallmark Channel delivers on the 100-year legacy of the Hallmark brand. In addition to its signature original movies, the network features an ambitious lineup of other original content, including scripted primetime series, such as "Good Witch" and "When Calls the Heart"; annual specials like "Kitten Bowl" and "Hero Dog Awards"; and a daily, two-hour lifestyle show, "Home & Family." Additionally, in November 2014, Hallmark Channel became the exclusive home to world premiere presentations of the acclaimed Hallmark Hall of Fame franchise. Dedicated to helping viewers celebrate life's special moments, Hallmark Channel also offers such annual holiday programming events as "Countdown to Christmas" and "Countdown to Valentine's Day." Rounding out the network's diverse slate are television's most beloved sitcoms and series, including "The Golden Girls," "The Middle," "Last Man Standing," "Little House on the Prairie" and "Frasier." Hallmark Cards, Inc. owns and operates Crown Media Family Networks. Hallmark Channel on Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube