HALLMARK CHANNEL ANNOUNCES TRIALS HAVE BEGUN FOR "KITTEN SUMMER GAMES" THE LARGEST NATIONWIDE FELINE MULTI-SPORT EVENT PREMIERING THIS AUGUST

Host Beth Stern and Announcer Mary Carillo Preside Over the Games As Adorable Kittens From North Shore Animal League America and Last Hope Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Compete For Gold

Professional Athletes Participating in "Kitten Summer Games" include Rob Gronkowski, Brandi Chastain and Lindsey Jacobellis

New York, NY - April 19, 2016 - Hallmark Channel, the official home of kitten sports, announces that trials have begun for the nationwide sporting event, "Kitten Summer Games," premiering Friday, August 5 on Hallmark Channel. The nation's most athletic and adoptable kittens will compete in a series of events including kitten gymnastics, balance beam, uneven bars, rings, floor exercises, de-CAT-hlon, track and field, pole vault, high jump, volleyball, tennis, wrestling and many more. Adoptable kittens from all over the nation have been training, and the best cat-letes will come together in the hopes of bringing home a gold, silver or bronze medal.

"With the roaring success of the 'Kitten Bowl' franchise, it was important to expand our kitten sports programming to showcase even more extraordinarily talented animals in need of loving homes," said Bill Abbott, President & CEO, Crown Media Family Networks. "This event is the first of its kind, as it not only elevates the network by developing unique, family-friendly content, but also drives and increases nationwide adoption efforts. While kittens compete for gold, the gold medal we strive for is adoption success."

Athletes and celebrities will cheer on the kittens as they compete in various sporting events, including NFL football pro Rob Gronkowski, Olympic medalist and World Cup champion Brandi Chastain, professional snowboarder and Olympic medalist Lindsey Jacobellis and many more.

Hallmark Channel continues its partnership with North Shore Animal League America and Last Hope Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation for "Kitten Summer Games" and will find all kittens homes once the games conclude. The network also partners with North Shore Animal League America to host nationwide adoption drives the weekend prior to the premiere, with the goal of dramatically increasing pet adoptions. "Kitten Summer Games" is part of Hallmark Channel's evergreen corporate initiative, "Pet Project," a multi-faceted initiative devoted to celebrating shelter pets and the incredible joy they bring to our lives.

"Kitten Summer Games" is executive produced by 3 Ball Entertainment's Todd A. Nelson, Ross Weintraub, DJ Nurre, with Kathy Sutula serving as co-executive producer. 3 Ball Entertainment credits include "Extreme Weight Loss" (ABC), "Bar Rescue" (Spike) and "My Cat From Hell" (Animal Planet), among others.

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