Hallmark Channel Shares Four Original Movie Premieres Part of SUMMER NIGHTS Programming Event

This summer, Hallmark CHANNEL takes viewers on an exciting trip around the world with its annual Summer Nights programming event celebrating the sun-drenched days of leisure and love. Viewers with wanderlust will be able to travel to exotic locations including South Africa, the Caribbean and the South Pacific beaches of Fiji from the comfort of their own homes.

First stop on the world tour is South Africa, the setting for "Love on Safari," premiering Saturday, July 28, (9:00 p.m. ET/PT). Shot on location in Johannesburg, Lacey Chabert ("Party of Five," "Moonlight in Vermont") stars as a web designer who finds plans for her trip to Scottsdale derailed when she learns she's inherited an animal reserve in South AFRICA and must travel there for the reading of the will. Faced with the decision to sell, she meets the no-nonsense ranger played by Jon Cor ("Lost in Space"), who takes her on a safari in hopes that she will fall in love with the land, the animals and hopefully him. Viewers will be captivated by the breathtaking Sub-Saharan scenery of the reserve featuring tranquil grasslands and populated with majestic wildlife including zebras, elephants, lions, giraffes and more.

Next, an exciting voyage is in store for viewers with "Love at Sea," premiering Saturday, August 4 (9:00 p.m. ET/PT). Real-life husband and wife Alexa PenaVega (Spy Kids) and Carlos PenaVega ("Big Time Rush") head out on the high seas aboard Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas as it cruises to exciting ports o' call including Jamaica, Nassau, St. Thomas and Cozumel. Alexa stars as an event planner organizing a multifaceted event on board the ship and thinks she has everything set to the last detail... until she learns she'll be dealing with the rookie, substitute cruise director, portrayed by Carlos, who has his own way of doing things that puts a wrench in her carefully thought out plans.

For viewers who dream of vacationing on the beaches of a tropical island, a trip to the South Pacific is next on the itinerary with two original movies. "A Summer to Remember" stars Catherine Bell ("JAG," "Army Wives" and Cameron Mathison ("All My Children," "Entertainment Tonight") and premieres Saturday, August 11 (9 p.m. ET/PT). Shot on location in Fiji, Bell stars as an ER DOCTOR WHO retreats to the island with her teen daughter so they can reconnect and hopes to recapture the tranquility she found there years ago with her late husband. During the trip, hiking through picturesque jungles, paddle boarding, horseback riding - and possibly love - are on the agenda.

Also jetting off to Fiji are Jill Wagner ("Wipeout") and Kristoffer Polaha ("Ballers," "Get Shorty") for "Pearl in Paradise" (working title) premiering Saturday, August 18 (9 p.m. ET/PT). Wagner stars as a photographer for a nature magazine who hopes to become its new creative director but first, she must come up with a winning angle for the cover of their 30th anniversary issue. She enlists the help of a romance novelist (Polaha), who she's convinced will help her locate a rare blue pearl buried somewhere on Fiji that was the subject of one of his bestselling books. Their adventure leads them from the comfort of a luxurious resort through the rugged yet lush jungles of the island, punctuated by cool streams and awe-inspiring waterfalls.

Another destination this summer is home sweet home in "A Sweet Taste of Love" (working title) premiering Saturday, August 25 (9 p.m. ET/PT). After her divorce, Tyler returns to her hometown to spend the summer with her daughter and mother. Her mother owns and operates a local, once-popular BBQ restaurant. At her daughter's urging, Tyler signs up for the town's famous, annual BBQ competition, where she soon realizes her high-school sweetheart (Marc Blucas, "Underground," "Miss Christmas"), now a celebrity chef, is back in town and part of the contest. As the two are forced to spend time together, old feelings resurface but Tyler convinces herself she has no room for distractions, especially when there is a competition to win.

Hallmark Channel has your travel plans booked for summer 2018, without the need to worry about packing or booking a flight. Viewers just need to sit back, relax and spend Saturday nights with all-new, original movie premieres.

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