Programming & Performance

Hallmark Channel Chief Bill Abbott Exits Following Same-Sex Wedding Ad Controversy

He had been Crown Media Family Networks president and CEO for 11 years

bill abbott
Bill Abbott joined Crown Media Family Networks in 2000, starting in the ad sales division and leading the company for the past 11 years. Getty Images

By Jason Lynch

January 22, 2020

A month after Hallmark Channel sparked outrage for briefly pulling several ads from wedding planning brand Zola that featured a same-sex couple kissing at their wedding, the network’s chief is exiting the company.

Jason Lynch
@jasonlynch jason.lynch@adweek.com Jason Lynch is TV Editor at Adweek, overseeing trends, technology, personalities and programming across broadcast, cable and streaming video.
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