CROWN MEDIA FAMILY NETWORKS' REIGN OVER HOLIDAY CONTINUES WITH THE LARGEST EXPANSION OF CHRISTMAS PROGRAMMING ON TELEVISION!

HALLMARK CHANNEL AND HALLMARK MOVIE CHANNEL INVITES VIEWERS TO CELEBRATE THE SPIRIT OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON THIS SUMMER WITH SPECIAL 24/7 CHRISTMAS PROGRAMMING EVENTS FROM JULY 4-13

Hallmark Channel's Celebrated "Christmas Keepsake" Event Will Gift Viewers With The Network's Most Popular, Fan-Favorite Holiday Movies

Hallmark Movie Channel Will Also Continue the Holiday Celebration This July With "Gold Crown Christmas," An Event Filled With Viewers' Treasured Hallmark Hall of Fame Movies And Christmas Classics

Crown Media Family Networks' reign over holiday continues with the largest expansion of Christmas programming, more than any other network on television, gifting viewers with an early celebration this year. Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel presents 24/7 Christmas programming in July, with holiday favorites and classics that will bring families together to cool down from the summer heat and enjoy the hope, love and inspiration that only Crown Media Family Networks can deliver.

Hallmark Channel, the #1 destination for holiday family viewing, will treat viewers with "Christmas Keepsake," a holiday celebration beginning Friday, July 4, 2014 at 2p.m. ET/PT until Sunday, July 13 at midnight. "Christmas Keepsake" is a 24/7 holiday programming stunt featuring the network's most beloved holiday titles and viewer favorites, including "Debbie Macomber's Mrs. Miracle," "Debbie Macomber's Trading Christmas," "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" and "The Christmas Ornament." The celebration will lead up to a "Christmas Keepsake" Special Presentation of "Angels Sing," starring Harry Connick Jr. and Connie Britton.

Hallmark Movie Channel will also partake in its own holiday celebrations this July with "Gold Crown Christmas," a 24/7 Christmas programming stunt featuring timeless classics from the award winning Hallmark Hall of Fame library and an array of uplifting and inspiring holiday family films, including last year's first-ever original holiday film "Christmas with Tucker." The "Gold Crown Christmas" holiday movie summer marathon will begin Friday, July 4 at 6a.m. ET/PT and last through Sunday, July 13 at midnight.

"Our mid-summer celebration of Christmas - launched in conjunction with Hallmark's Keepsake Ornament Preview Weekend - has been highly successful over the last few years, underscoring consumer demand for our signature holiday fare - not just during the season but all year round," said Bill Abbott, President and CEO, Crown Media Family Networks. "Featuring a 24/7 slate of Crown Media's most cherished holiday films, Hallmark Channel's 'Christmas Keepsake' and Hallmark Movie Channel's 'Gold Crown Christmas' also bring great value to our business partners."

"Capitalizing on the hugely successful and highly popular 'Christmas Keepsake' and 'Gold Crown Christmas' programming events, we are proud to expand the summer holiday stunts by treating viewers with more celebrated and treasured holiday films," said Michelle Vicary, Executive Vice President, Programming, Crown Media Family Networks. "As the #1 holiday destination, viewers year-round look forward to both networks vast array of holiday programming, and we are thrilled to delight our audiences and give them a little Christmas spirit earlier this year."

Hallmark Channel's "Christmas Keepsake" Supersized Event airs from July 4-13 all leading up to a "Christmas Keepsake" Special Presentation of "Angels Sing" starring Harry Connick Jr. and Connie Britton. The programming slate includes:

'ANGELS SING' Hallmark Channel's "Christmas Keepsake" Special Presentation Saturday, July 12 (8pm ET/PT, 7C) Starring: Harry Connick Jr., Connie Britton, Willie Nelson, Lyle Lovett, Kris Kristofferson, Fionnula Flanagan As a child, Michael Walker wished every day could be Christmas. That is, until a tragic accident crushed his holiday spirit. Thirty years later, Michael still can't muster any joy for the holidays, despite encouragement from his playful wife and well-intentioned parents. But when his young son faces a tragedy, Michael needs to make amends with his past. A mysterious man named Nick gives Michael a gift and instills in him the courage to find the joy that he lost.

'HOME & FAMILY' Hosts: Cristina Ferrare, Mark Steines Monday, July 7 - Friday, July 11 (10am ET/PT, 9C) Mark Steines and Cristina Ferrare co-hosts of the Daytime Emmy(R) nominated "Home & Family," invite you to cozy up and cool down this summer as they capture the Christmas spirit with a full week of holiday themed programming from July 7-11. Mark and Cristina have lit the home with dazzling lights and festive holiday decorations as they are busy in the kitchen baking scrumptious treats for their special guests. You won't want to miss the extra special holiday-themed week on "Home & Family," Hallmark Channel's daily two-hour lifestyle program where they will open up their home to a lineup of celebrity guests, chefs, designers and experts.

'DEBBIE MACOMBER'S MRS. MIRACLE' Monday, July 7 (6am ET/PT, 5C and 2pm ET/PT, 1C) Saturday, July 12 (12midnight ET/PT, 11C) Sunday, July 13 (4pm ET/PT, 3C) Starring: Doris Roberts, James Van Der Beek, Erin Karpluk As Seth Webster mourns the death of his wife, he must still care for his rambunctious six-year-old twin boys. When he is about to give up on finding a housekeeper that can handle them, Emily Merkle - who the boys dub "Mrs. Miracle" - arrives to boost their Christmas spirit. As she plays matchmaker for Seth and the boys' Christmas pageant director, who is also dealing with past love lost, the Webster family realizes that she isn't any ordinary housekeeper.

'DEBBIE MACOMBER'S CALL ME MRS. MIRACLE' Monday, July 7 (4pm ET/PT, 3C and 12midnight ET/PT, 11C) Sunday, July 13 (2am ET/PT, 1C and 6pm ET/PT, 5C) Starring: Doris Roberts, Jewel Staite, Lauren Holly, Eric Johnson Emily Merkle, fittingly nicknamed "Mrs. Miracle" has resurfaced to insure that this Christmas is the most magical and meaningful of all. When Mrs. Miracle appears as a seasonal employee in the toy department of the financially troubled Finley's Department Store, no one can foresee the miraculous events that are about to take place. On top of giving sales a boost, her magic touch also mends the family's relationships and creates new ones. Of course, no one can even say who hired Mrs. Merkle or where exactly she came from, but her illustrious and angelic spirit will dispel gloom, drive away misery, and prove that miracles happen every day, especially on Christmas!

'DEBBIE MACOMBER'S TRADING CHRISTMAS' Starring: Faith Ford, Tom Cavanagh, Gil Bellows, Gabrielle Miller Friday, July 4 (10pm ET/PT, 9C) Saturday, July 5 (12noon ET/PT, 11C) Sunday, July 13 (4am ET/PT, 3C and 8pm ET/PT, 7C) Sparks fly as two unlikely couples meet in a cross-country house swap when a widowed schoolteacher from Washington State trades homes with a writer in Boston to surprise her daughter, a college student, for Christmas. But when she arrives, she is upset to learn her daughter flew to Phoenix with her new boyfriend. All alone for the holidays, she could never guess she's in for a holiday romance of her own - just as her best friend meets the handsome writer who has inhabited her home.

'THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR' Starring: Brooke Burns, Henry Winkler, Warren Christie Friday, July 11 (6pm ET/PT, 5C) Saturday, July 12 (6am ET/PT, 5C) The overwhelming tasks that go along with Christmas have taken the joy out of the holiday for Jennifer Cullen, a busy single mom. When her eccentric Uncle Ralph brings home a weary fellow traveler in need of a place to stay until the airports reopen, the stranger's love of Christmas - and life - is contagious, leading the woman to question her own life's path.

'THE CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT' Starring: Kellie Martin, Cameron Mathison Friday, July 4 (8pm ET/PT, 7C) Saturday, July 5 (4am ET/PT, 3C) Saturday, July 12 (4pm ET/PT, 3C) Sunday, July 13 (12noon ET/PT, 11C) Newly widowed Kathy plans to avoid holiday traditions that will bring back memories of her late husband - especially trimming the tree. When Kathy receives an ornament symbolizing hope from handsome Christmas tree shop owner Tim, though, she begins to open up to the joys of the season. Not only does she start developing feelings for Tim, but she also explores turning her passion for baking into a career. In order to move on from her loss, Kathy must find the balance between preserving her past memories, and finding her future happiness.

'CHRISTMAS WITH HOLLY' From the Hallmark Hall of Fame Collection Starring: Sean Faris, Eloise Mumford, Daniel Eric Gold, Dana Watkins, Lucy and Josie Gallina as Holly Sunday, July 6 (4am ET/PT, 3C and 10pm ET/PT, 9C) Friday, July 11 (8pm ET/PT, 7C) Saturday, July 12 (12noon ET/PT, 11C) Maggie Conway moves to the small town of Friday Harbor in Washington State, finally realizing her dream of opening a toy store and meets Mark Nagle, the proprietor of the local coffee shop. It's not quite love at first sight. But almost! Mark's number one priority, though, is his six-year-old niece, Holly, whose single mom has recently passed away and left him as her guardian. Mark enlists the help of his two brothers but it's Maggie and her toy store that prove to be the magical key to opening Holly's heart after her loss. The July 4-13 Programming Slate for Hallmark Movie Channel's "Gold Crown Christmas" includes:

'THE CHRISTMAS CARD' Starring: Ed Asner, John Newton, Alice Evans, Lois Nettleton Friday, July 4 (10pm ET/PT, 9C) Saturday, July 5 (4pm ET/PT, 3C) Tuesday, July 8 (10pm ET/PT, 9C) Wednesday, July 9 (6pm ET/PT, 5C) Saturday, July 12 (12midnight ET/PT, 11C) Sunday, July 13 (8pm ET/PT, 7C) A career soldier is deeply touched by an anonymous holiday card he receives while serving overseas. When he returns to the States, he treks to the picturesque California town from which the card came. He soon meets and falls in love with the woman who sent it - and he is practically accepted as a new member of the family by her parents. But there's one major roadblock to happily-ever-after: The girl already has a boyfriend and he is about to propose.

'A CHRISTMAS WISH' Starring: Kristy Swanson, Edward Herrmann, Tess Harper Saturday, July 5 (8pm ET/PT, 7C) Sunday, July 6 (8am ET/PT, 7C) Wednesday, July 9 (8am ET/PT, 7C) Sunday, July 13 (12noon ET/PT, 11C and 10pm ET/PT, 9C) A down-and-out mom finds herself in need of a miracle when her no good husband abandons her a week before Christmas, taking all her cash and leaving her homeless with her two young daughters and stepson. After finding a waitressing job at a diner, formerly a famous root-beer drive-in, and a room in a rundown motel in a sleepy rural town, she meets some warm-hearted people who come to the rescue to give her a holiday she can never forget.

'CHRISTMAS WITH TUCKER' Starring: James Brolin, Josie Bissett, Gage Munroe, Barbara Gordon Monday, July 7 (10pm ET/PT, 9C) Tuesday, July 8 (6pm ET/PT, 5C) Saturday, July 12 (8pm ET/PT, 7C) Sunday, July 13 (2pm ET/PT, 1C) A teenage boy forms a special bond with a neighbor's dog and learns to be a man by helping his grandparents and farmland community through a series of winter storms. However, the upcoming Christmas promises to be one to remember, as the young boy learns first-hand the importance of responsibility, the faithfulness of friends and the power of love. Based on the book Christmas with Tucker by Greg Kincaid, "Christmas With Tucker" the movie is the prequel to the 2009 Hallmark Hall of Fame film "A Dog Named Christmas" also based on a book written by the same author.

'A DOG NAMED CHRISTMAS' From the Hallmark Hall of Fame Collection Starring: Bruce Greenberg, Noel Fisher, Linda Edmond Monday, July 7 (8pm ET/PT, 7C) Tuesday, July 8 (4pm ET/PT, 3C) Wednesday, July 9 (6am ET/PT, 5C) Saturday, July 12 (10pm ET/PT, 9C) Sunday, July 13 (8am ET/PT, 7C) A developmentally challenged young man with a penchant for caring for animals in need sets out to convince his family - and their whole rural community - to participate in a local shelter's inaugural "Adopt a Dog for Christmas Program."

'SILVER BELLS' From the Hallmark Hall of Fame Collection Starring: Anne Heche, Tate Donovan, Michael Mitchell, Margo Martindale Sunday, July 6 (10am ET/PT, 9C and 8pm ET/PT, 7C) Thursday, July 10 (10pm ET/PT, 9C) Friday, July 11 (4pm ET/PT, 3C) Every December, widower Christopher Byrne travels to New York to sell Christmas trees from his farm. When Christopher's son runs away to stay in New York, the teenager begins studying photography under the tutelage of Catherine O'Meara, a museum curator who lost her husband three years earlier. Eventually, the lonely widow, distraught father and estranged son come together, and find that they have every reason to truly celebrate Christmas.

'A SEASON FOR MIRACLES' From the Hallmark Hall of Fame Collection Starring: Carla Gugino, Kathy Baker, Patty Duke, David Conrad, Laura Dern, Lynn Redgrave Saturday, July 5 (12midnight ET/PT, 11C) Sunday, July 6 (6pm ET/PT,5C) Thursday, July 10 (8pm ET/PT, 7C) Friday, July 11 (2pm ET/PT, 1C) When a young woman takes off with her jailed sister's children to keep them from being placed in foster care, a stranger steps in to give them the Christmas they've always dreamed about.

'THE CHRISTMAS HEART' Starring: Teri Polo, Tess Harper, Paul Essiembre Tuesday, July 8 (8pm ET/PT, 7C) Wednesday, July 9 (4pm ET/PT, 3C) Saturday, July 12 (6pm ET/PT, 5C) Sunday, July 13 (6am ETPT, 5C) When Matt, a teenage boy, in a tight-knit Cleveland suburb desperately needs a heart transplant on Christmas Eve, his family and neighbors' forty-year tradition of lining their quaint street with Christmas luminaries is put on hold. As Matt's parents, Ann and Mike, pray for a donor on a stormy night, the neighbors suddenly realize their luminaries could have a deeper purpose.

'CHRISTMAS IN CANAAN' Starring: Billy Ray Cyrus, Zak Ludwig, Jaishon Fisher Friday, July 4 (8am ET/PT, 7C) Saturday, July 5 (4am ET/PT, 3C) Tuesday, July 8 (12noon ET/PT, 11C) In the rising heat of the Civil Rights Movement, a white farmer forces his young son, who has begun to show racist tendencies, to spend time with his black classmate, leading to an unexpected friendship. As the years pass and racial tensions in their town build, an unforgettable Christmas will teach the boys the importance of hope and the true meaning of family. Based on the book by Grammy(R) winner Kenny Rogers and Donald Davenport.

'CHRISTMAS COMES HOME TO CANAAN' Starring: Billy Ray Cyrus, Gina Holden, Matt Ward, Jacob Blair, Emily Tennant Friday, July 4 (10am ET/PT, 9C) Tuesday, July 8 (2pm ET/PT, 1C) In this sequel to 2009's heartwarming story of a small Texas town breaking down racial barriers, the sweet Southern farming family returns. When the youngest son, Bobber, undergoes experimental surgery to help him walk again, his father, Daniel, falls in love with his beautiful rehabilitation doctor, Briony Adair, and invites her to spend Christmas at the farm. But as he struggles to incorporate her into his simple family life, he ends up pushing her away, and has to learn how to let himself find happiness again.

ABOUT HALLMARK CHANNEL

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 available in high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) to a national audience of 86 million subscribers. Hallmark Channel is the nation's leading destination for quality family programming with an ambitious slate of TV movies; original scripted series, including Cedar Cove, When Calls the Heart, and Signed, Sealed, Delivered; specials such as Kitten Bowl; as well as some of television's most beloved sitcoms and series, including The Golden Girls, The Waltons, Little House on the Prairie, and Frasier. The channel is also home to Daytime Emmy-nominated lifestyle program, Home & Family, a daily two-hour live show shot in a fully functional house located on the Universal Studios lot. Hallmark Channel's sibling network, Hallmark Movie Channel, available in HD and SD, focuses on family-friendly movies with a mix of original films, classic theatrical releases, and presentations from the acclaimed Hallmark Hall of Fame library.

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ABOUT HALLMARK MOVIE CHANNEL

Hallmark Movie Channel, the second linear channel from Crown Media Holdings, Inc., simulcast in SD (Standard Definition) and HD (High Definition), is a trusted family-friendly network devoted to quality storytelling. Available in 54 million homes and one of the fastest-growing cable TV networks, Hallmark Movie Channel is a 24-hour digital cable network dedicated to bringing viewers original movies with a mix of classic theatrical films, and presentations from the acclaimed Hallmark Hall of Fame library. In today's crowded television landscape, the network offers viewers a diverse range of film genres, including mysteries, suspense, coming-of-age dramas, and epic fantasies.

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