Hallmark Channel has renewed Home & Family for Season 5 with a new co-host.
The renewal will see long-time host Christina Ferrare exit the show to be replaced by former View co-host Debbie Matenopoulos.
Ferrare announced her exit in a Facebook post:
Okay here goes, I feel it’s important to finally step up to the plate and let you know what is happening. First may I say that my family and I have been so thankful and appreciative for all the love, support, prayers, and good wishes you have been sending me on a daily basis for the past three weeks. It pained me so that I was unable to let you know what was going on out of respect for everyone on Home and Family and the Network. I was asked to wait and I have but now I feel I should out of respect for YOU let you know. It’s really very simple, Home and Family will have a season 5 which I am so happy for and the Network decided that they want a new co-host and that will be Debbie. She will do a great job!
Michelle Vicary, Hallmark Channel’s EVP of Programming & Publicity, said of Ferrare’s departure:
“Cristina Ferrare has been instrumental in making Home & Family one of daytime’s most popular lifestyle series. Her natural flair and expertise, along with her warmth and grace, set a standard for all of us at Home & Family, and we are forever indebted to her. Debbie has quickly become an audience favorite among our family of multi-talented lifestyle experts and we look forward to her continued unique and exciting contributions going forward.”
Official press release:
HALLMARK CHANNEL ANNOUNCES NEW CO-HOST OF ‘HOME & FAMILY,’ NETWORK’S POPULAR DAYTIME EMMY(R)-NOMINATED DAILY LIFESTYLE SERIES
Cristina Ferrare to Step Down After Four Successful Years; TV Host Debbie Matenopoulos to Join Mark Steines as Co-Host
STUDIO CITY, CA, June 21, 2016 – Cristina Ferrare, longtime co-host of Hallmark Channel’s Daytime Emmy(R)-nominated daily series “Home & Family,” will depart the network’s popular original lifestyle program, it was announced today by Hallmark Channel. The network also announced that current “Home & Family” member Debbie Matenopoulos will immediately join Emmy(R) Award-winning journalist and series co-host Mark Steines as the series’ new co-host.
“Cristina Ferrare has been instrumental in making ‘Home & Family’ one of daytime’s most popular lifestyle series,” said Michelle Vicary, Executive Vice President, Programming & Publicity, Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries.
“Cristina’s natural flair and expertise, along with her warmth and grace, set a standard for all of us at ‘Home & Family,’ and we are forever indebted to her.
“It is a great pleasure to promote ‘Home & Family’ regular contributor Debbie Matenopoulos to become Mark’s co-host. Debbie has quickly become an audience favorite among our family of multi-talented lifestyle experts and we look forward to Debbie’s continued unique and exciting contributions going forward.”
Hallmark Channel is Crown Media Family Networks’ flagship 24-hour cable television network, distributed nationwide in high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) to 90 million homes. The country’s leading destination for quality family entertainment, Hallmark Channel delivers on the 100-year legacy of the Hallmark brand. In addition to its signature original movies, the network features an ambitious lineup of other original content, including scripted primetime series, such as Good Witch and When Calls the Heart; annual specials like Kitten Bowl and Hero Dog Awards and; a daily 2-hour lifestyle show, Home & Family. Additionally, in November 2014, Hallmark Channel became the exclusive home to world premiere presentations of the acclaimed Hallmark Hall of Fame franchise. Dedicated to helping viewers celebrate life’s special moments, Hallmark Channel also offers such annual holiday programming events as Countdown to Christmas and Countdown to Valentine’s Day. Rounding out the network’s diverse slate are television’s most beloved sitcoms and series, including The Golden Girls, The Middle, Last Man Standing, Little House on the Prairie, and Frasier. Hallmark Cards, Inc. owns and operates Crown Media Family Networks.
ABOUT “HOME & FAMILY”
The fourth season of “Home & Family” features even more fresh advice from experts at the top of their fields. “Family members” dishing tips and tricks that help viewers live their best lives include lifestyle expert Debbie Matenopoulos, Hollywood beauty specialist Kym Douglas, healthy living advocate Sophie Uliano, design expert Paige Hemmis, medical expert Matt Iseman, garden coach Shirley Bovshow, chef Fabio Viviani, DIY expert Ken Wingard, pediatrician Dr. J.J. Levenstein, family man Matt Rogers, financial advisor Jeanette Pavini, renegade chef Dan Kohler, men’s fashion expert Lawrence Zarian, fashion designer Orly Shani and mommy lifestyle expert Kristin Smith. Together with Mark and Cristina, these captivating experts make “Home & Family” the “Ultimate How-To” show, and a series honored for its excellence with two Daytime Emmy(R) nominations.
“Home & Family” features not only the best in lifestyle advice, but also plays host to some of Hollywood’s biggest stars and most exciting music acts. Recent guests that have visited include; Dolly Parton, Mira Sorvino, Steven Bauer, John Rhys-Davies, Joseph Fiennes, Melissa Ethridge, Fran Drescher, Hayden Christensen, Kate Bosworth, Nigel Lythgoe, James Brolin, Naomi Judd, Wolfgang Puck, Tony Robbins, Billy Ray Cyrus, Betty White, Dean Cain, Tori Spelling, Olivia Newton-John, Alison Sweeney, Russell Simmons, La Toya Jackson and Rocco DiSpirito. The series reaches viewers’ homes from its own 2,800 square foot working home at Universal Studios.
Woody Fraser is the creator of “Home & Family.” Marty Tenney and Tracy Verna Soiseth are executive producers. Rob George and William O’Hara are directors of “Home & Family” from Woody Fraser Enterprises. “Home & Family” is broadcast in 1080i, Hallmark Channel’s selected HD Format. This program carries a TV-G parental guideline.
Stay tuned as we now monitor the status of Home & Family Season 6…
Barbara says
I am sorry to hear that Christina won’t be back. I am sorry for Hallmark because I won’t be returning to watch your show. Christina had class and I loved her. Debbie is no different than anyone else on variety shows. How sad for Home and Family that they removed a unique responsible classy person for an everyday person.
doris says
I agree. Bad move. Christina made that show. I probably will not be watching home and Family anymore
Karen says
I also will not watch hallmark home and family without Christina. She WAS the drawing card to the show for me.
Glenda, says
Christina made the show what it is. Will not be a special show without her. That’s a shame. Love Mark, but he needs Christina to make that special.spark and connection with the audience. Just another show now nothing out of the ordinary.I loved watching Cristina, she has something special about where I could relate to. She is funny and can’t be replaced. Very sad to see her gone.
Long time fan..
Debbie says
Christina was my reason for watching the show. Debbie is too into herself & has another show. When does she ever she her child?
Susan Gardner says
Christina Ferrare is the ONLY GAME IN TOWN to co- host Home and Family. Debbie is not even in Chistina Ferrare’s league. The show is NOTHING without Christina and Debbie takes the show to nonsensical mediocrity. It’s obvious that the “Powers That Be” dropped the ball BIG LEAGUE on this LUDICROUS decision. I can’t stand watching the show without Christina Ferrare, and everybody I’ve talked to feels the same way. Christina brings style and sophistication to the shoe, while Debbie brings the show to an all time low with an element of egotistical immaturity. Many more people than you think will not watch the show anymore. I know I won’t unless you bring Christina back. In fact I refuse to watch the Hallmark Channel at all without Christina Ferrare.
Kathie says
What a HUGE mistake Hallmark channel made in replacing the irreplaceable….Christina Ferrare was the best thing about Home & Family….Debbie just doesn’t cut it….count me, along with all the others, as a FORMER viewer….too bad, big mistake…HUGE!!!!
Patty Lubin says
Christina made Home and Family enjoyable. I have followed Christina for years on her other shows. I too will be leaving with Christina. NO more Home and Family for me! Mark Steinis try’s to control the segments he is involved in, good luck dealing with him. Bye, bye. Looking forward to finding Christina’s next adventure.
Betty Harvin. says
Why did Cristina leave
That was her show..
She has so much to offer. I thought she and Woody were long time friends. Some friend!!