Hallmark Channel Earns Three GLAAD Award Nominations in 2026
Hallmark Channel has officially entered a new era, and the 37th Annual GLAAD Media Award nominations make that shift impossible to ignore.
With three major nominations recognizing inclusive storytelling and LGBTQ representation, Hallmark is no longer just the network of cozy traditions and familiar formulas.
Find the best accommodations and airfares
Check availability at 5* hotels, guest houses and apartments rated "superb" or "exceptional" by visitors just like you.
NO RESERVATION FEES
CHECK AVAILABILITY FOR YOUR DATES HERE
It’s now a serious awards-season contender, earning some real industry respect while still holding onto those emotionally resonant roots.
Table of Contents
Hallmark Makes a Powerful Statement at the GLAAD Media Awards
The announcement of Hallmark Channel and Hallmark+ earning three GLAAD nominations marks a defining moment for the brand.
These nods put Hallmark alongside media leaders that prioritize authenticity, inclusion, and cultural relevance, showing just how much the network has changed in recent years.
The GLAAD Media Awards honor fair, accurate, and inclusive representations of the LGBTQ community.
For Hallmark, a network once criticized for playing it safe, this recognition is proof of a real shift toward stories that reflect modern families, relationships, and identities.
Why These Nominations Matter More Than Ever
These aren’t just symbolic gestures. They recognize storytelling that hits home with wide audiences while centering LGBTQ characters—without reducing them to side plots or novelty roles.
Hallmark has shown that inclusive narratives can actually thrive in mainstream entertainment.
- Two nominations for Outstanding Film – Streaming or TV
- One nomination for Outstanding Reality Competition Program
All three nominated projects premiered on Hallmark Channel before moving to Hallmark+, which says a lot about the network’s commitment to inclusion across platforms.
Outstanding Film Nominees Redefine the Hallmark Holiday Formula
The two film nominations show how Hallmark is stretching its signature holiday storytelling, but still keeping the warmth and emotional sincerity viewers expect.
These films don’t abandon tradition—they just widen the lens a bit.
The Christmas Baby Delivers Heart, Hope, and Representation
The Christmas Baby first aired during Countdown to Christmas 2025 and immediately stood out for its emotionally grounded storytelling.
Starring Ali Liebert, Katherine Barrell, and Barbara Niven, the film centers on Erin and Kelly, a couple juggling a growing business and a life-changing surprise.
When a newborn shows up on their doorstep just days before Christmas, the story unfolds with sensitivity and realism.
Instead of leaning on easy sentimentality, the film explores the complexities of fostering, adoption, and relationship dynamics during a high-pressure season.
What makes this film GLAAD-worthy is its authenticity. The LGBTQ relationship isn’t framed as extraordinary or explained away—it simply exists, letting audiences connect with the universal emotions of love, uncertainty, and chosen family.
A Keller Christmas Vacation Expands the Meaning of Family
A Keller Christmas Vacation premiered earlier in the 2025 holiday season and takes viewers far beyond the typical small-town setting.
Starring Jonathan Bennett, Brandon Routh, and Eden Sher, the film follows a family river cruise through iconic European Christmas markets.
The Keller siblings are adults with complicated lives, emotional baggage, and unresolved tensions.
Forced together on a ten-day journey, the film becomes a meditation on family fractures, healing, and acceptance.
The nomination recognizes the film’s nuanced portrayal of LGBTQ themes within a broader family narrative.
It’s not about singling out identity, but about showing how it fits naturally into the messy, beautiful reality of family life.
Finding Mr. Christmas Brings Representation to Reality TV
Maybe the most surprising nomination comes from Hallmark’s first-ever reality competition series.
Finding Mr. Christmas landed in the Outstanding Reality Competition Program category, which proves that unscripted programming can also carry meaningful representation.
A Bold New Direction for the Hallmark Brand
Hosted by Jonathan Bennett and Melissa Peterman, Finding Mr. Christmas follows ten aspiring actors competing for the chance to become Hallmark’s next leading man.
The premise is playful and entertaining, but the execution is refreshingly sincere.
Contestants are judged not just on performance, but on heart, authenticity, and charisma.
This approach fits with Hallmark’s evolving identity and makes the show a natural fit for GLAAD recognition.
- Hosted by Jonathan Bennett and Melissa Peterman
- Features rotating guest judges
- Winner receives a starring role in a Countdown to Christmas movie
The series shows that LGBTQ visibility can exist within mainstream competition formats without being sensationalized.
Jonathan Bennett’s Dual Role in Hallmark’s Evolution
No figure is more closely tied to Hallmark’s current transformation than Jonathan Bennett.
As a star, host, co-creator, and executive producer, Bennett’s influence is felt across multiple nominated projects.
His involvement in both A Keller Christmas Vacation and Finding Mr. Christmas highlights his commitment to bringing inclusive stories to a wide audience.
His public celebration of the nominations makes it clear how personal and professional this moment is for him.
Representation with Responsibility
Bennett has consistently emphasized the responsibility that comes with telling LGBTQ stories on a platform as widely viewed as Hallmark.
These nominations validate that effort and signal industry-wide appreciation for doing the work thoughtfully.
This isn’t about chasing trends. It’s about shaping a legacy of storytelling that reflects real lives while keeping the comfort and optimism Hallmark viewers love.
What This Means for Hallmark’s Future
The 37th Annual GLAAD Media Awards will take place in Los Angeles on March 5, 2026, celebrating work released in 2025.
Whether Hallmark wins or not, the nominations alone are a milestone.
Hallmark Channel isn’t cautiously testing the waters of inclusion anymore.
It’s fully immersed, confident that audiences are ready for stories that reflect a broader spectrum of love and family.
A Network Transformed
These nominations hint that Hallmark’s evolution isn’t just a passing phase. Inclusive storytelling feels like it’s part of the brand now, not just a seasonal experiment.
For longtime viewers, and even folks just tuning in, this feels like a genuinely exciting shift. Hallmark’s managed to respect its traditions while still making room for progress.
The GLAAD nominations? They’re a sign that people in the industry are noticing.
Christmas Market Closures
Due to econonic conditions and tariffs, some Christmas Markets may cancel their events due to lack of vendors. If you are aware of a closed market,or find errors on a listing or an image, please reach out on our Contact Us page so that we may update this post.