Hallmark Channel is one-for-one with original primetime scripted programming.
The Crown Media Holdings-owned cable network has renewed Cedar Cove for a second season.
The Andie MacDowell drama ranks as the network's first-ever primetime scripted series. Since its July 20 launch, Cedar Cove has propelled Hallmark Channel to become the No. 1-rated cable network on Saturdays from 8 to 9 p.m.
The two-hour pilot debuted as the top ad-supported movie of the week, delivering a 2.4 rating and more than 3.8 million total viewers.
MacDowell stars as a small-town family court judge in the series, which debuted as a two-hour backdoor pilot. The drama marks the fourth of Macomber's romance novels to get the Hallmark treatment, following telefilms Mrs. Miracle, Call Me Mrs. Miracle and Trading Christmas; they went on to become the network's most-watched movies of the year in 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively.
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"We are incredibly pleased with the tremendous success of Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove, our first-ever primetime series,” said Michelle Vicary, exec vp programming at Hallmark Channel. "We are so thrilled to work with Debbie Macomber and have the opportunity to bring to life her beloved book series, which was the perfect fit for Hallmark Channel. The show’s significant impact and the fact that audiences have responded positively to the show has warranted a second season renewal. We launched a new era at Hallmark Channel with Cedar Cove and we look forward to the show’s continued growth and success."
In addition to Cedar Cove, Hallmark is prepping two additional original scripted series. The second, When Calls the Heart, bows in January and the third, Dead Letters, will launch in October as a Hallmark movie of the week. A decision on whether the latter will be picked up to series is expected before its premiere.
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