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Briefs: Hallmark Movie Channel, Princess Cruises

The Hallmark Movie Channel is changing its name later this year to Hallmark Movies & Mysteries as part of a broader rebranding campaign, the company’s corporate parent Crown Media Holdings Inc. announced on Thursday. The change will take place in the fourth quarter, when the Studio City-based network also will unveil a new logo and tagline. The network will carry more mystery films, including what it is calling a “Mystery Wheel” starting in 2015 – a rotation of three separate movie series that will run for several months each. The channel also will continue to run other original movies and series, as well as shows from the Hallmark Hall of Fame library. “Movies and the lighter side of the mystery genre exemplify what Hallmark Movie Channel has always represented – great, compelling stories that keep viewers engaged and wanting more,” said Crown Media Family Networks Chief Executive Bill Abbott in a statement. Hallmark Movie Channel is in 53.5 million homes, according to Crown Media. Princess Cruises is beginning a $30 million refurbishment of its Diamond Princess, a 2,670-passenger ship that services Japan, the Santa Clarita-based cruise line announced. The $500 million ship, constructed in 2004, is being refurbished at a Singapore dry dock, with the work expected to be completed by April 2. Its last renovations took place in 2010. The work will include the addition of a Japanese bath area, a new sushi restaurant, a remodeled buffet court, enhanced shopping areas, additional staterooms and interior furnishings to create a more “Asian-style” ship. The largest renovation is the 8,800-square-foot complex of baths and gardens, designed with indoor and outdoor areas featuring stone and other natural materials. “Because bathing is an important part of the Japanese culture, we want to offer passengers an authentic experience onboard, complete with unparalleled ocean views,” said Princess Cruises President Jan Swartz. The ship will begin its season of cruises on April 17, sailing from three Japanese ports. Princess Cruises is a unit of Carnival Corp & plc, based in suburban Miami.

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