HALLMARK CHANNEL GREENLIGHTS NEW, ORIGINAL PRIMETIME SERIES "RIDE"

RODEO-THEMED FAMILY DRAMA SET TO PREMIERE IN 2023

From Blink49 Studios and Seven24 Films

Production Set to Begin This Summer

STUDIO CITY, CA - June 13, 2022 - Hallmark Channel has greenlit "Ride," an all-new, original primetime series set to begin production this summer in Calgary, Alberta in Canada. The series will premiere on Hallmark Channel in 2023 and is co-produced by Endeavor Content-backed Blink49 Studios and Seven24 Films, in partnership with Bell Media for CTV Drama Channel in Canada. The series is based on an original script by husband and wife writing team Rebecca Boss & Chris Masi ("Our Kind of People," "Step Up: High Water," "Star"), who along with Sherri Cooper-Landsman ("Beauty and the Beast," "Brothers & Sisters") are showrunners and executive producers.

"Ride" is a multigenerational family ensemble following the lives of the Murrays, part of a rodeo dynasty going back a generation, as they struggle to keep their beloved ranch afloat. After a tragic loss, each character embarks on an empowering journey of transformation and self-discovery while also uncovering a twisted web of secrets, threatening to tear the family and their small Colorado town apart at the seams. Emotions run high and clashes are common in the complicated Murray clan, but they are a tight-knit group who don't give up easily. And the three strong women of the family - widowed rodeo queen Missy, matriarch Isabel, and former teen run-away Valeria - resolve to stand strong against all challenges and save their land, come what may.

Lisa Hamilton Daly, Executive Vice President, Development, Crown Media Family Networks, remarked, "As we continue to grow our slate of heartfelt and thought-provoking series, we are delighted to get to work with a creative team behind some of our favorite shows, including our talented and creative showrunners, the incredible producing team at Blink49 and award-winning executive producers Greg Gugliotta, Elana Barry and Josh Adler."

"We were immediately hooked by the story of the resilient Murray women," added Laurie Ferneau, Senior Vice President, Development, Crown Media Family Networks. "We couldn't be more excited to work with the incredible team at Blink49 to bring their engrossing story to viewers."

"We are thrilled to be partnering with Hallmark Channel, Bell Media and our co-production partner Seven24 on this addictively entertaining new series. This deal reflects our commitment to invest in premium content with a creative-first and audience-first approach, working with some of the best talent in our industry," said John Morayniss, CEO Blink49.

"Get ready to be swept up in the epic romance of 'Ride'," added Carolyn Newman, Executive Vice President, Global Scripted and Virginia Rankin, Executive Producers, Blink49 Studios. "Rebecca Boss, Chris Masi and Sherri Cooper-Landsman are creating a truly juicy family saga set against the backdrop of the west."

"There's nothing I love more than a grounded family drama that delivers dynamic and inclusive storytelling so when I first read Rebecca & Chris' pilot, I was instantly hooked," remarked Greg Gugliotta, Executive Producer, Nitelite Entertainment. "We knew that the Murray Ranch would find a home and we're proud and excited to be part of the venerable Hallmark family in 2023."

Along with Boss, Masi and Cooper-Landsman, John Morayniss ("Sharp Objects"), Carolyn Newman ("Run") and Virginia Rankin ("Transplant") are executive producing for Blink49 Studios; Greg Gugliotta ("The Fosters," "Good Trouble") and F.J. Denny ("The Thing About Harry") will executive produce for Nitelite Entertainment; Elana Barry ("The Good Neighbor") and Josh Adler ("Work in Progress") will executive produce for Circle of Confusion; and Jordy Randall ("Heartland," "Wynonna Earp") and Tom Cox ("Heartland," "Wynonna Earp") will executive produce for Seven24 Films. Paolo Barzman ("Wynonna Earp," "Lost Girl") will direct and executive produce. Blink49 Studios will handle the international distribution for the series.

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ABOUT BLINK49 STUDIOS

Co-founded in 2021 by industry veterans CEO John Morayniss, Executive Vice Chair Patrice Theroux, COO Jeff Lynas and CFO Nelson Kuo-Lee, Blink49 Studios is a full-service indie studio focused on the development, production, and monetization of premium scripted and unscripted content for a global market. Headquartered in Toronto with offices in Los Angeles, Blink49 Studios was formed in partnership with its anchor investor and lead strategic partner Endeavor Content. With a combined experience of innovative deal-making and strong relationships in the creative community, Blink49 Studios takes a content-first approach by partnering with best-in-class writers, creators, producers, and talent as well as supporting new and diverse voices.

ABOUT HALLMARK CHANNEL

Hallmark Channel, owned by Hallmark Cards, Inc., is Crown Media Family Networks' flagship 24-hour cable television network. As the country's leading destination for quality, feel-good entertainment, Hallmark Channel delivers on the 100-year legacy of the Hallmark brand. The network's lineup of signature original content includes movies, primetime scripted series and specials. Dedicated to helping viewers celebrate holidays, seasons, and life's special moments, Hallmark Channel is home to a host of annual programming events, including the highly successful Countdown to Christmas, which has become a pop culture phenomenon and a beloved holiday tradition for millions of viewers. Rounding out the network's slate are some of television's classic comedies and series, including The Golden Girls, Frasier, and Reba.

ABOUT SEVEN24 FILMS

SEVEN24 Films is an independent film and television production company whose work has spanned over two decades. Executive Producers Tom Cox and Jordy Randall have produced dramatic series, mini-series, television movies and feature films garnering over one hundred industry awards and nominations. In addition to Family Law, SEVEN24's current projects include the hit family series Heartland - the longest running one-hour series in Canadian history - now in its fifteenth season for CBC, Netflix and UPtv, Wynonna Earp on Syfy and CTV Sci-Fi, and half hour comedy JANN for CTV and Hulu. SEVEN24's focus on integration of scripted programming with interactive content and social media has helped make Heartland and Wynonna Earp two of the most dynamic scripted television projects in the digital space. Previous projects include Damnation with NBC Universal for USA, Fortunate Son, a political thriller for CBC and NBCU International, Dark Cargo, a noir thriller for YouTube Premium, Young Drunk Punk for Rogers and CBC, the Canadian Screen Award winner Borealis, the Gemini Award winning movie Mayerthorpe and Gemini Award winning Mini-Series Burn Up. Tom Cox and Jordy Randall were also co-producers on numerous high-profile feature films including the Academy Award nominated Brokeback Mountain and are both recipients of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of their contribution to the arts. SEVEN24 Films was recently named Playback Magazine's Production Company of the Year.

-- HALLMARK CHANNEL --