Hallmark Channel Layoffs: Will New Job Cuts Impact Programming?

Hallmark Media, the division of Hallmark that oversees Hallmark Channel and its sister channels — Hallmark Mystery and Hallmark Drama, as well as streaming platform Hallmark+ — is the latest TV network to be hit by summer layoffs.

On August 20, 2025, Deadline reported that Hallmark Media has eliminated 30 jobs and that the network’s Los Angeles offices will soon move. The question on fans’ minds, of course, is whether all those missing roles will impact the quality or quantity of the movies and shows they love.

Hallmark Channel Spokesperson Says ‘These Decisions Are Never Easy’

Hallmark didn’t elaborate on the specific roles that were eliminated, but Deadline reported that one person swept up in the layoffs was Vice President of Production Jimmy Holcomb, who oversaw physical production of movies, series, and specials.

A spokesperson for Hallmark Media told Deadline, “As the industry continues to traverse a significant period of transformation, Hallmark is taking steps to transition our workforce to meet the needs of the business today. This means an ongoing exploration of specific roles and functions.”

“While these decisions are never easy,” the Hallmark spokesperson continued, “we have eliminated 30 roles across multiple areas of the organization and have restructured parts of our business with the goal of investing in capabilities that will propel our business into the future.”

According to Deadline, Hallmark Media’s Los Angeles-area offices will also move from Studio City and relocate to Burbank, which is known as the “Media Capital of the World,” serving as home base for over 1,000 entertainment companies including Walt Disney Studios, Netflix and Nickelodeon. 

Hallmark Channel Layoffs Come Weeks After Announcement of Michelle Vicary’s Return

The announcement about Hallmark Media’s layoffs was made less than three weeks after the company announced, on August 5, that former creative executive Michelle Vicary was returning to oversee all of Hallmark’s programming, according to Variety.

Vicary was part of the cable channel’s birth in 2001 and is well-loved by many Hallmark stars and staff. Before her departure in 2021, she served in multiple positions at the company, including as Executive VP of programming.

According to Variety, Vicary launched the network’s annual Countdown to Christmas programming and several beloved series, including “When Calls the Heart,” and the since-canceled “Good Witch,” and “Chesapeake Shores.” She also “expanded the company’s commitment to diverse storytelling, including hiring multiple LGBTQ+ actors,” Variety reported.

Many stars and fans have expressed excitement about Vicary’s return, hoping that she’ll bring renewed clarity about the future and may consider rebooting fan-favorite programs that were canceled during her time away, including “Chesapeake Shores,” “Good Witch,” and the talk show “Home & Family.”

It’s not clear yet how the new layoffs may impact Vicary’s vision, but already-announced programming should move forward as planned during the last four months of 2025, including the 16th annual Countown to Christmas — a yearly tradition that she helped launch.