Hallmark Channel Cancels THE MARTHA STEWART SHOW

As first reported in the NY Post, the Hallmark Channel has cancelled its daytime series THE MARTHA STEWART SHOW. The series will air its last episode sometime in April.  According to the report, the show was a rating's loser for the network and required high production costs. The show will end its run with a grand 'Oprah-style' finale in the spring. 

Only last month, Lisa Gersh, president of Stewart's production company, commented, “Our expensive studio lease is expiring next year, and we will either bring television in-house or find lower cost space, which will significantly reduce our TV operating margins." Sources say the Hallmark Channel is trying to figure out what role Stewart may play on the network in the future, including as a possible 'make-over specialist'. 

THE MARTHA STEWART show averaged 225,000 viewers in 2011, and 41,000 viewers in the key demographic of females aged 25-54, according to Nielsen ratings.

Stewart's daytime talk show included  visits by such guests as chefs, stars of TV, film and stage and home decor specialists.