HALLMARK CHANNEL TOPS CABLE IN SATURDAY PRIMETIME

FIRST 1-HOUR EPISODE OF SCRIPTED SERIES, "CEDAR COVE", SCORES #1 IN TIME PERIOD; LAUNCHES STRONG LEAD-IN TO ORIGINAL MOVIE DEBUT OF "SECOND CHANCES", #1 MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Network is #1 in Primetime From 8p-11p with Top 2 Programs of the Day

Boosted by the network's original scripted primetime series, "Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove", and the original movie premiere of "Second Chances", Hallmark Channel dominated cable on Saturday as the #1 cable network in primetime from 8p-11p on July 27. "Cedar Cove" maintained its ratings momentum from the previous week's movie pilot debut with its first 1-hour episode ranking as the #1 series of the day and #2 program of the day on cable. Following the episode, the premiere of original movie "Second Chances" ranked as the #1 program on cable for Saturday and #1 movie on cable for the week.

"We are thrilled that 'Cedar Cove's' successful 2-hour series pilot was followed up by a strong result for the program's first 1-hour episode on July 27," said Bill Abbott, CEO and President, Crown Media Family Networks. "The fact that so many viewers returned on Saturday night for the continuation of the storyline bodes well for the future of this series, as well as other episodic series in development for Hallmark Channel. Additionally, 'Cedar Cove' was an outstanding lead-in for the premiere of Hallmark Channel's original movie, "Second Chances", which achieved a 2.5 HH rating and, combined with Cedar Cove's performance, made Hallmark Channel the #1 network in primetime on Saturday night. These results are clear evidence that our strategy to own Saturday nights is paying off on all fronts."

"Cedar Cove" garnered a 2.2 household rating, averaging 2.4 million total viewers. In key demo ratings for the 8-9p time period, "Cedar Cove" ranked among the top 10, including #1 in HH (2.2 rtg), P2+ (1.1 rtg), and #3 in W25-54 (.8 rtg). "Cedar Cove" also placed #1 in HH (1,921,000) and #1 in P2+ (2,413,000) delivery.

Week two of the "Cedar Cove" series timeslot led into the debut of Hallmark Channel's original movie, "Second Chances", the network's strongest movie premiere of the year to-date. "Second Chances" delivered a 2.5 household rating, averaging 2.8 million total viewers and 468,000 W25-54. "Second Chances" is the highest rated Hallmark Channel original premiere, outside of the holidays, in over 4 years. Among W25-54 rating, "Second Chances" is the #1 movie of the week. In the 9p-11p time period, the film ranked in the top 10 for key demo ratings, including #1 in HH (2.5 rtg), #2 in W25-54 (1.0 rtg), and #1 in P2+ (1.3 rtg). "Second Chances" also placed #1 in HH (2,131,000) and P2+ (2,806,000) delivery.

In "Cedar Cove: A House Divided", Judge Olivia Lockhart (Andie MacDowell) finds herself caught in the middle when her seaside town goes up in arms because developer Warren Saget (Brennan Elliott) threatens to tear down Cedar Cove's iconic lighthouse. As tensions heat up, Olivia knows she must find a way to save the landmark before the trouble in town boils over. Episode stars Andie MacDowell, Dylan Neal, and Teryl Rothery.

Original movie, "Second Chances" tells the story of Jenny McLean (Alison Sweeney), a single mom working at a 911-call center struggling to make ends meet and raise her two kids, and Jeff (Greg Vaughan), a badly injured fireman who needs a place to recover and heal. Brought together by unusual circumstances, Jeff soon moves in and the children see him as an ideal substitute father, but will Jenny take a risk on romance? "Second Chances" stars Alison Sweeney and Greg Vaughan.

Source: The Nielsen Company, July 22- July 28, 2013

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 87 million subscribers. Hallmark Channel is the nation's leading destination for quality family programming with an ambitious slate of original TV movies and specials, 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 a range of lifestyle programming, anchored by 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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