Crown Media to Launch Hallmark Movie Channel HD in First Quarter 2008

Crown Media to Launch Hallmark Movie Channel HD in First Quarter 2008

NEW YORK, Aug. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Henry Schleiff, President and CEO, Crown Media Holdings, Inc. -- owner and operator of Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel -- announced today that the company will launch its first High Definition (HD) service in the first quarter of 2008 -- Hallmark Movie Channel HD.

"This launch is in direct response to the growing demand for family-friendly content on television today," said Schleiff. "Once again the Hallmark brand delivers the very best in high-quality entertainment for families and offers distribution partners and advertisers an outlet to reach their consumers where they know they are spending time."

Hallmark Movie Channel HD will be simulcast alongside Hallmark Movie Channel Standard Definition (SD), and will offer audiences an unparalleled viewing experience featuring a mix of original movies, mini-series and feature film debuts. The schedule is set to include a branded Friday night line-up of movies from the acclaimed Hallmark Hall of Fame library, and exclusive Saturday night premieres. The channel will also spotlight a major quarterly programming event, beginning with the four-hour mini-series "Son of the Dragon," starring David Carradine.

Hallmark Movie Channel HD launches at a time of high demand from distribution partners hungry for family-friendly content amidst the threat of government regulation, and utilizes the latest technology available to programmers and audiences. Consumers are purchasing HD televisions at an increasingly rapid rate. According to Kagan Research, nearly 50% of all homes with cable or satellite television will have HD sets by the end of 2007. This number is an increase of almost 20% over last year and an extraordinary 40% over 2004.

Crown Media Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRWN) owns and operates cable television channels dedicated to high quality, broad appeal, entertainment programming. The Company currently operates and distributes Hallmark Channel in the U.S. to more than 83 million subscribers. The program service is distributed through more than 5,300 cable systems and communities as well as direct-to-home satellite services across the country. Hallmark Channel consistently ranks among the top ten ad-supported cable networks in Prime Time and Total Day household ratings and is the nation's leading network in providing quality family programming. Crown Media also operates a second 24-hour linear channel, Hallmark Movie Channel. Significant investors in Crown Media Holdings include: Hallmark Entertainment Holdings, Inc., a subsidiary of Hallmark Cards, Incorporated, Liberty Media Corp., and J.P. Morgan Partners (BHCA), LP, each through their investments in Hallmark Entertainment Investments Co.; VISN Management Corp., a for-profit subsidiary of the National Interfaith Cable Coalition; and The DIRECTV Group, Inc.

   Contacts:  Nancy Carr, 818-755-2643      Jennifer Geisser, 212-445-6654              nancycarr@hallmarkchannel.com jgeisser@hallmarkchannel.com               Jaime Saberito, 212-445-6644              jsaberito@hallmarkchannel.com  

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: AmandaFeuerman@hallmarkchannel.com

Source: Crown Media Holdings, Inc.

CONTACT: Nancy Carr, +1-818-755-2643, nancycarr@hallmarkchannel.com, or
Jennifer Geisser, +1-212-445-6654, jgeisser@hallmarkchannel.com, or Jaime
Saberito, +1-212-445-6644, jsaberito@hallmarkchannel.com, all of Hallmark
Channel

Web site: http://www.hallmarkchannel.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment