HALLMARK CHANNEL ANNOUNCES FEBRUARY 2018 ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING PREMIERES

2018 Countdown to Valentine's Day Preview Show
Premieres: Saturday, January 27 (11 p.m. ET/PT)
Host: Lori Loughlin

Get a first look at each of the world premiere original movies coming to Hallmark Channel this February as we get you and your special someone ready for Valentine's Day.

"My Secret Valentine"
Premieres: Saturday, February 3 (9 p.m. ET/PT)
Stars: Lacey Chabert, Andrew Walker
*Part of Hallmark Channel's Countdown to Valentine's Day

At the family winery, Chloe (Chabert) is upset to hear her dad might sell out to a big firm after the Valentine's Festival. She goes out to "stress snack" and bonds with a cute guy over junk food, unaware he's Seth Anderson (Walker) the wine rep. They engage in heated but flirtatious banter until Chloe leaves to check the cabin, rundown since her mom died. But instead of finding an unhappy tenant, she sees a note he's left saying he'd like to help, signed Handyman. She thanks him, signing In Need of Repairs. Meanwhile, Seth tries to win Chloe over but mostly irritates her, until eventually the spark between them is undeniable. Still, it's Handyman who intrigues her and she suggests they meet. Walking into the Tavern together, Seth and Chloe still have no clue they're rendezvous is with each other until he figures it out, entertaining her, even when Handyman fails to show. The day of the festival, Chloe and Seth win a contest and seal their victory with a kiss. But their joy is short-lived when her dad admits he's decided to sell. Racing to the cabin to talk to Handyman, Chloe sees the torn contract, and realizes Seth was her secret crush all along.

"Kitten Bowl V"
Premieres: Sunday, February 4 (12 p.m. ET/PT)
Host: Beth Stern
Commissioner: Boomer Esiason
Commentators: Dean Cain, Alison Sweeney, Rodney Peete

TV personality, author and animal advocate Beth Stern hosts this year's event from Hallmark Channel Stadium. Stern embodies the spirit of adoption in her everyday life, having fostered countless animals in need. Stern's tireless year-round efforts to find homes for animals makes her a synergistic fit to lead the charge for "Kitten Bowl V," truly a super day of Adorable Pets. On the day of the big game, four-time Pro Bowl quarterback and Feline Football League Commissioner Boomer Esiason calls the play-by-play action making "Kitten Bowl V" super Sunday's MUST SEE viewing party. Hallmark Channel's Dean Cain and Alison Sweeney, animal lovers and adoption advocates, provide commentary throughout the event, in addition to heartwarming adoption stories. "Kitten Bowl" has become synonymous with rescue pet adoption, which begins the Saturday before the program premieres, and continues throughout the weekend. "Kitten Bowl I" began with five rescue and adoption organizations holding adoption events in cities around the country. The number grew to 25 rescue partners in 2015, 50 in 2016, and 100 in 2017. During each year's broadcast of "Kitten Bowl," awareness for pet adoption rises dramatically. Hallmark Channel announces that with its partner North Shore Animal League America, "Kitten Bowl V" will host 500 adoption parties in 2018 -- making "Kitten Bowl" one of TV's most beloved gridiron TV traditions. It's not only kittens and cats that get adopted during the telecast of "Kitten Bowl." The event is also responsible for the adoption of hundreds of puppies and dogs, 13 rabbits, and a pig. In all, "Kitten Bowl" has inspired the adoption of more than 10,000 animals - and the program is just getting started!

"Very, Very, Valentine"
Premieres: Saturday, February 10 (9 p.m. ET/PT)
Stars: Danica McKellar, Cameron Mathison
*Part of Hallmark Channel's Countdown to Valentine's Day

Helen (McKellar) works in a flower shop, and her best friend Henry (Mathison) works at the botanical gardens. When they both go to a masquerade gala, she mistakes a masked man for Henry but he's nowhere to be found, and the same masked man ends up enchanting Helen all evening. But in true Cinderella-like fashion, he rushes off after the clock chimes, dropping his boutonniere. Love-struck, Helen recognizes the rose he was wearing as one she crossbred and the next day she learns that Charles Bradfield (Damon Runyan) got it at her shop. To Henry's dismay, Helen and Charles begin dating until she finds out he plans to turn the botanical gardens into condos. With his job in jeopardy, and heartbroken as well, Henry decides to leave. He's always been in love with Helen and when she finally admits she feels the same, he's already taken a job in Arizona. Finding solace in her work, Helen is asked to deliver flowers to a man at the botanical gardens and is met with the most romantic surprise of her life.

"Cooking with Love"
Premieres: Sunday, February 11 (9 p.m. ET/PT)
Stars: Ali Liebert, Brett Dalton
*Part of Hallmark Channel's Countdown to Valentine's Day

Reality cooking show producer Kelly (Liebert) prepares for "Little Gourmet" - a cooking show for kids. This season is especially important for Kelly, as it is her boss Amanda's (Kidder) last season and Kelly is in the running for a promotion when Amanda leaves the show. When show host Chef Betty (Gabrielle Rose, "The Man in the High Castle") has an unexpected injury, Kelly hires controversial Chef Stephen (Dalton) as her temporary replacement. Though they butt heads at first, eventually the two pair up to help one another - and even form a romantic connection. Kelly helps Stephen soften his damaged image, and Stephen encourages Kelly to share her creative ideas so she wins the promotion over her competition, Jeremy (Preston Vanderslice, "Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce," "Garage Sale Mystery: A Case of Murder"). Just as their romance begins to blossom, though, Chef Betty returns and Stephen receives an offer to host a show across the country. Kelly is also shocked to learn that Jeremy has stolen her ideas and presented them as his own. When Chef Betty hurts herself right before the live finale, Kelly must seize the opportunity to both prove her producing skill and bring Stephen back into her life.

"2018 American Rescue Dog Show"
Premieres: Monday, February 12 (8 p.m. ET/PT)
Hosts: Rebecca Romijn and Rich Eisen
Judges: Carrie Ann Inaba, Linda Blair, Rick Springfield and Brandon McMillan
Ringside Coverage By: Ross Matthews and Larissa Wohl

The "2018 American Rescue Dog Show" features shelter dogs of various breeds from across the country vying for top dog in the world's most adorable categories. The special will focus on the heartfelt traits and benefits of mixed breeds and rescued purebreds. Breeds competing for first place include Basset Hounds, English Bull Dogs, Maltese, St. Bernard, Mixed Breeds and many more. Categories they are competing for include Best Couch Potato, Best Wiggle Butt, Best Underbite, Best Slobber, Best Snoring, Best Senior Dog, Best Fetcher, Best Kissing, Best Special Needs and Best Listener. In addition to competition in the ring, the show will highlight heartwarming stories of courageous dogs who have overcome tremendous odds to be rescued and find forever homes.

"Wedding March 3: Here Comes the Bride"
Premieres: Saturday, February 17 (9 p.m. ET/PT)
Stars: Jack Wagner and Josie Bissett

Former college sweethearts Olivia (Josie Bissett) and Mick's (Jack Wagner) plans for a relaxing Valentine's Day together change when they learn that Mick's sister Bonnie (Gabrielle Miller), Mick's daughter Julie (Sarah Grey), Julie's boyfriend Wyatt (Mitch Ainley), Olivia's mother Nora (Susan Hogan) and Nora's boyfriend Johnny (Serge Houde) are all coming for a weekend at the Inn. Their visitors bring surprises as well: Bonnie reveals she is engaged and after just eight months with Sean (Peter Benson), and Julie announces she's decided to drop out of college to pursue her passion for cooking. While Olivia plans a last-minute wedding for Bonnie and Sean, Mick expresses his concerns to both Bonnie about her distant fiancé, and to Julie about dropping out of college. Wyatt, too, is troubled by Julie's decision to leave college and the two have a fight that may end their relationship. As the wedding approaches, Sean reveals a secret that may explain his behavior all weekend, Julie and Wyatt must decide if their relationship can work and Johnny has a surprise of his own in store. With all of the excitement surrounding Mick and Olivia, they always have each other for comfort and support.

"When Calls the Heart" Season 5, Episode 1
Premieres: Sunday, February 18 (9 p.m. ET/PT)
Stars: Lori Loughlin, Erin Krakow, Daniel Lissing, Jack Wagner, Pascale Hutton, Kavan Smith

"Meet The Peetes" Family Reality Series Premiere
Premieres: Sunday, February 18 (10 p.m. ET/PT)
Stars: Holly Robinson Peete, Rodney Peete, Dolores Robinson, Ryan Elizabeth Peete, Rodney "R.J." Jackson Peete, Robinson James Peete, Roman Matthew Peete

"A Royal Romance"
Premieres: Saturday, February 24 (9 p.m. ET/PT)
Stars: James Brolin, Cindy Busby, Andrew Scott

Since the passing his wife, Hank Pavlik (Brolin) has made the ranch his only life. But when his daughter, Kelly Pavlik (Busby) is met by a lawyer retained to locate her father, life is about to get interesting. Being that he is the last living relative, Hank has inherited the late King of Merania's throne - a responsibility that doesn't interest him. Reminding Hank that you don't turn your back on family, Kelly encourages him to stay because without a king Merania's independence is threatened by King Nikolas, the ruler of the neighboring country. Meanwhile, Kelly has taken an interest in Alex (Cooper), the adorable stable hand for the estate. When King Nikolas of Ambrosia (Lachlan Nieboer) comes to visit Kelly gets swept off her feet and while at the Royal Ball, King Nikolas surprises Kelly with a marriage proposal. After some investigating Alex discovers Ambrosia is broke. King Nikolas' proposal is simply a business transaction to acquire Merania's natural resources. Realizing an opportunity with King Nikolas' predicament, Hank devises a diplomatic solution that could both secure Merania's independence and the future of Ambrosia.

"When Calls the Heart" Season 5, Episode 2
Premieres: Sunday, February 25 (9 p.m. ET/PT)
Stars: Lori Loughlin, Erin Krakow, Daniel Lissing, Jack Wagner, Pascale Hutton, Kavan Smith

"Meet The Peetes" Season 1, Episode 2
Premieres: Sunday, February 25 (10 p.m. ET/PT)
Stars: Holly Robinson Peete, Rodney Peete, Dolores Robinson, Ryan Elizabeth Peete, Rodney "R.J." Jackson Peete, Robinson James Peete, Roman Matthew Peete