HALLMARK MOVIES & MYSTERIES HITS A SWEET SPOT WITH WORLD PREMIERE OF ORIGINAL MOVIE, MURDER, SHE BAKED: A CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE MYSTERY, BECOMING THE NETWORK'S MOST-WATCHED FILM AMONG W25-54, HOUSEHOLDS, AND TOTAL VIEWERS

Film Premiere Garners a 1.6 HH Rating and 1.1 Million Total Viewers

Hallmark Movies & Mysteries hit a high note this weekend with the Saturday, May 2nd premiere of Murder, She Baked: A Chocolate Chip Cookie Mystery marking the network's most-watched and highest-rated movie debut in network history, with a 1.6 HH rating and 1.1 million total viewers. The movie was also part of the network's most-watched week of all time. Additionally, Murder, She Baked: A Chocolate Chip Cookie Mystery becomes Hallmark Movies & Mysteries' most social movie premiere on Twitter, generating the highest unique audience of any new original in network history.

These results come on the heels of a record breaking 4th quarter for the network across all key demos in Total Day and Primetime. Hallmark Movies & Mysteries has been on a winning streak since its September 29th rebrand from Hallmark Movie Channel, with the network registering increases in delivery of 18% among total viewers and 19% among households for 4th quarter 2014 - 1st quarter 2015 over the same period a year ago.

"Since the network's rebrand last fall, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries is resonating more strongly than ever with viewers, as evidenced by the runaway success of Murder, She Baked: A Chocolate Chip Cookie Mystery," said Michelle Vicary, executive vice president, programming & network publicity. "With top notch talent like Alison Sweeney and Cameron Mathison as well as 14 more new originals premiering throughout the rest of the year -- including another installment in the Murder, She Baked movie franchise -- we anticipate that growing excitement and awareness around the network will continue to drive ratings and delivery."

Murder, She Baked: A Chocolate Chip Cookie Mystery centers on free spirited Hannah Swensen (Alison Sweeney), an expert baker who becomes a culinary detective when her shop, the Cookie Jar, becomes the scene of a crime, just as she is caught in a romantic mystery of her own. "Murder She Baked: A Chocolate Chip Cookie Mystery," is based on the New York Times bestselling book Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke.

The mouthwatering new mystery stars Daytime Emmy(R) nominated actress and TV host Alison Sweeney ("Days of Our Lives"), alongside Daytime Emmy(R) nominated star Cameron Mathison ("All My Children") and "Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove" darling Barbara Niven.

Source: Nielsen, April 27 - May 3, 2015.

ABOUT HALLMARK MOVIES & MYSTERIES

Along with sister network Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries is the second 24-hour linear channel under the Crown Media Family Networks umbrella. Distributed in both (HD) and standard definition (SD) in 56 million homes across the United States and one of the fastest growing networks in cable, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries is a leading destination for quality family friendly entertainment. Launched in 2008 as Hallmark Movie Channel, the network underwent a brand evolution in fall of 2014 when it transitioned to become Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. True to its name, the channel brings the lighter side of the suspense and mystery genres into focus with rich, dramatic, and thought-provoking storytelling. The network's programming lineup features a unique mix of original movies, presentations from the acclaimed Hallmark Hall of Fame library, and such time-honored acquired series as Murder She Wrote, Matlock, Hart to Hart, and Diagnosis Murder. The channel is also home to annual 8-week holiday programming event, The Most Wonderful Movies of Christmas, which helps viewers celebrate the season with new original movies and all-time classics like A Christmas Carol; Holiday Affair; Babes in Toyland; and Christmas in Connecticut.

Crown Media Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRWN) owns and operates Crown Media Family Networks.