HALLMARK CHANNEL ANNOUNCES GROUNDBREAKING DEAL WITH WARNER BROS. DOMESTIC CABLE DISTRIBUTION FOR A 39-PICTURE SLATE OF FEATURE FILMS INCLUDING ACADEMY AWARD�-WINNING �MARCH OF THE PENGUINS�
�Troy,� �Miss Congeniality,� �The In-Laws,� �New York Minute,�
�Phantom of the Opera,� �Felicity: An American Girl Adventure�
And �Samantha: An American Girl Holiday,� Among Titles
Hallmark Channel has acquired the U.S. rights to a slate of 39 feature films from
Warner Bros. Domestic Cable Distribution, including the network television premiere of
the Academy Award-winning documentary, �March of the Penguins,� it was announced
today by David Kenin, Executive Vice President, Programming, for Hallmark Channel.
The groundbreaking acquisition deal, which includes the network television
premiere of �Troy ,� the $133 million box-office spectacular featuring Brad Pitt, Orlando
Bloom, Eric Bana and Peter O�Toole as well as rights to �Miss Congeniality,� �The In-
Laws,� �Hearts In Atlantis,� �Kangaroo Jack,� �Phantom of the Opera,� �New York
Minute,� �Felicity: An American Girl Adventure� and �Samantha: An American Girl
Holiday,� is the most ambitious ever for the Top-10 rated Hallmark Channel.
�We are thrilled about this deal. Hallmark Channel is still bent on world
domination and we are starting with Antarctica,� teased Kenin. �It will help to drive
ratings, attract more sponsors and increase distribution for the network.�
�This movie package is the next major step for us as we continue to offer an
unparalleled viewing destination that appeals to the contemporary family, and is a key
element in our goal to become the most-watched cable network,� said Scott Anderson,
Senior Vice President, Acquisitions and Programming.
�There�s no question that many successful networks program feature films, as
well as series to attract large audiences,� said Gus Lucas, Executive Vice President,
Warner Bros. Domestic Cable Distribution. �A healthy dose of contemporary feature
films, with appropriate event-like marketing support truly drives viewership and boosts
the entire schedule. We are thrilled that Hallmark has aggressively entered the network
window business and look forward to working closely with them in the future.�
�March of the Penguins,� the surprise hit movie about the incredible true story
of a family of Emperor Penguins and their journey to bring life into the world, will make
its U.S. premiere exclusively on Hallmark Channel during the upcoming holiday season.
Other hit movies in the package include �The Bridges of Madison County,�
�Michael,� �Jack Frost,� �City Slickers,� �Forever Young,� �Little Giants,� �Willy Wonka &
the Chocolate Factory.�
Hallmark Channel is known for its Original movies and events, including its
Mystery Movie franchises, and for its popular acquisitions including, �Walker, Texas
Ranger,� �M*A*S*H� and �Diagnosis Murder.�
Hallmark Channel is a 24-hour basic cable channel that provides a diverse slate
of high-quality entertainment programming to a national audience of over 73 million
subscribers. The program service is distributed through more than 5,300 cable systems
and communities as well as direct-to-home satellite services across the country. Crown
Media also operates a second 24-hour linear channel, Hallmark Movie Channel. Through
its subsidiary, Crown Media Distribution, LLC, Crown also distributes titles from its
award-winning collection of movies, miniseries and films for exhibition in a variety of
television media including broadcast, cable, Video-on-Demand and High Definition
Television.
Warner Bros. Domestic Cable Distribution is the leading supplier of programming
to the pay television and basic cable marketplaces. WBDCD licenses, markets and
distributes top quality programming to a dozen broadcast networks, 30 pay TV, over 100
basic cable channels and numerous HD networks.
|