Story Published:
Apr 2, 2008 at 5:20 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Apr 2, 2008 at 7:24 PM CDT
They rolled out the red carpet at the Peoria Civic Center today.
After a week that's seen crowds gather for The Blue Man Group, High School Musical On Ice and tonight's Bradley-Tulsa CBI championship game, the Civic Center hosted the launch of a new television network.
The Hallmark Channel came to Peoria to see if the new High Definition Hallmark Movie Channel will 'Play in Peoria.'
The channel will be a 24 hour cable network with family movies, like 101 Dalmatians and Hallmark Original Movies and series.
President & CEO Hallmark Channel Henry Schleiff said, "It's about family. It's about great stories. Will it play in other places around the country? Dare I say the magic phrase, will it play in Peoria? Not only do we want it to play in Peoria we kind of felt it should play here and across the country."
Cast members like Ernest Borgnine came to Peoria for the launch.
The 93-year-old Oscar winning actor is the star of the Hallmark channel movie "A Grandpa for Christmas."
Among other actors appearing today was David Carradine.
He will star in "Son of the Dragon" a new Hallmark Original Series.
The Hallmark Movie Channel can be found on Direct TV on Channel 12.
The cable company Comcast has not picked it up.
Saturday, Apr 12 at 8:30 AM Aimee wrote ...
it was so cool seeing all those famous people. i really liked. i also got to meet john reardon. i gave him a hug. i was with psa group from phs. thank you for a wonderful day!!!!!