Hallmark announced today a multi-year deal to premiere Hallmark Hall of Fame movies exclusively on ABC, with encore broadcasts a week later on the Hallmark Channel.

The series will kick off pre-Christmas with Have a Little Faith, a drama starring Laurence Fishburne, based on Mitch Albom’s best-selling book.

The telefilm, a Michigan-based production by Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions, counts Albom, Brent Shields and Jon Avnet as writer, executive producer and director, respectively. Bradley Whitford and Martin Landau co-star.

Bill Abbott, president of Hallmark’s Crown Media Networks, said of the deal, “This will bring even more exceptional, high-profile programming to our audience, and increase the viewership and impact of the Hallmark Hall of Fame series. We’re delighted to be a partner.”

The Hall of Fame franchise has enjoyed a 60-year history thus far, with previous broadcasts on ABC, NBC and most recently CBS. During that time, the fully sponsored movies have garnered 80 Emmys and 11 Peabody awards.

From The Hollywood Reporter.