TCA: Hallmark Brought the Stars; Nat Geo Hung the Moon

From simple panel discussions and press conferences for individual shows to lavish parties attended by dozens of stars and executives, all of whom are available on the spot to do interviews or commit to future opportunities, every presentation at a Television Critics Association tour is the result of a huge effort on the part of the networks, streamers and studios involved.  A few, however, tend to tower above the rest.  In most cases, the stand-out event at the Winter and Summer tours is Hallmark’s gala party, which brings together more than 100 actors (most of whom appear with some regularity in the many movie franchises on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries), the hosts of and contributors to Hallmark’s daily series Home and Family, and the many Hallmark executives who make it all happen.  It is a networking and interviewing opportunity unlike any other -- one reminiscent of the “old days” of TCA (that would be the Nineties) when broadcasters loaded in talent from virtually all of their new and returning shows for press conferences, parties and other events designed to effectively and efficiently promote everything they were doing.