Forget big blockbusters and new TV shows with major talent attached, Netflix is proving that its biggest success lies in the ‘cozy drama’TV space. Virgin River has just become the streamer’s longest-running original series after its surprise early season 8 renewal, with My Life With the Walter Boys, Ransom Canyon and Sweet Magnolias not following too far behind. On top of this, their back catalog is growing in the genre too, with Netflix picking up titles including Heartland, Sullivan’s Crossing and Chesapeake Shores.
However, Netflix arguably has some stiff genre competition on their hands in the form of rival streamer Hallmark+. Launched in September 2024 after multiple variations of video on demand formats, the platform hosts an enormous library of Hallmark movies from years past, alongside weekly releases coinciding with regular broadcasts on The Hallmark Channel. We’re also starting to see Hallmark+ exclusive content, with TV shows The Way Home and The Chicken Sisters both experimenting with this rollout.
