Superstar Mariah Carey Inks 3-Picture Agreement with Hallmark Channel

Hallmark Channel continues its successful creative partnership with the multi-platinum and Grammy Award-winning recording artist Mariah Carey for a three-picture executive producing deal with the superstar. Carey is set to develop, executive produce, direct and co-star in the movies, with the first slated to debut as part of Hallmark Channel's 2017 'Countdown to Valentine's Day' programming event. She will also compose and produce an original song for each project.

"We are honored to continue our collaboration with the multi-talented Mariah Carey," said Michelle Vicary, Executive Vice President of Programming, Crown Media Family Networks. "It's rare to work with a talent who can produce, direct, star and also compose original music for a project, and we know she will deliver for our viewers once again."

Carey starred and made her directorial debut in Hallmark Channel's original movie "A Christmas Melody" in December 2015, which culminated the network's flagship 'Countdown to Christmas' programming event and delivered a 3.3 HH rating and 3.9 million P2+. Carey also hosted the most watched holiday special in Hallmark CHANNEL history, "Mariah Carey's Merriest Christmas," a musical event featuring performances by Carey, Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds and Kelsey Grammer. Hallmark CHANNEL also sponsored her recent sold out Christmas concerts last December at New York City's Beacon Theater.

Carey is the best-selling female artist of all time with more than 200 million albums sold to date and 18 Billboard Hot 100 #1 singles (17 self-penned), more than any solo artist in history. Carey is a singer/song-writer/producer recognized with multiple Grammy Awards, 21 American Music Awards, Billboard's "Artist of the Decade" Award, the World Music Award for "World's Best Selling Female Artist of the Millennium," and BMI's "Icon Award" for her outstanding achievements in songwriting, to name a few - with her distinct five-octave vocal range, prolific songwriting, and producing talent, Mariah is truly the template of the modern pop performance. Mariah has recently come off her sold out European tour where she thrilled audiences with her incredible performances. In June she returns to Las Vegas for her eagerly anticipated residency at the The Colosseum, and her docuseries "Mariah's World" will premiere internationally this fall on E!

Carey produces with Stella Bulochnikov under Magic Carpet Productions, is managed by Stella Bulochnikov and Wikked TV, and is repped by Dean Bahat and Melanie Cook from Ziffren Law, United Talent Agency, and BWR.

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 2-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.

Photo courtesy of Hallmark Channel