HALLMARK CHANNEL LAUNCHES IN HIGH DEFINITION FORMAT IN FEBRUARY 2010

Hallmark Channel, the premiere destination for family-friendly television programming, will launch the network in High Definition (HD) February 1, 2010, it was announced today by Bill Abbott, President and CEO of Hallmark Channels.

"As more homes have high definition televisions, viewers are becoming more selective in their television program choices. We're delighted to be providing our family-friendly programming in compelling high definition format to this growing audience," said Abbott. "The Hallmark Channel brand delivers high quality television programming not found elsewhere. The presentation in high definition will greatly enhance that viewing experience."

Hallmark Channel HD launches at a time of high demand from distribution partners hungry for family-friendly content and will be simulcast alongside Hallmark Channel Standard Definition (SD). The new HD format will offer audiences an enhanced viewing opportunity for Hallmark Channel Original Movies, presentations from the renowned Hallmark Hall of Fame library, specials, popular acquired series and theatrical movies, and the premiere of original series programming on Hallmark Channel in 2010.

Hallmark Channel, owned and operated by Crown Media Holdings, Inc., is a 24-hour basic cable network that provides a diverse slate of high-quality entertainment programming to a national audience of more than 88 million subscribers. The top tier program service is distributed through more than 5,450 cable systems and communities as well as direct-to-home satellite services across the country. Hallmark Channel consistently ranks among the highest-rated cable networks and is the nation's leading network in providing quality family programming. Hallmark Channel's sibling network is Hallmark Movie Channel which focuses on the greatest family movies of all time.