HALLMARK CHANNEL CELEBRATES 2005 AS NETWORK�S HIGHEST-RATED YEAR EVER
Channel Delivers Highest-Ever Quarterly and Monthly Performances
Original Programming Leads Network to Year-Long Ratings Zenith
Channel Ranks #1 in Length of Tune
At Year End Programmer Seen in 71 Million Homes
Hallmark Channel ended 2005 with its best ratings scorecard ever. The network
achieved its highest-ever-rated first, second, third and fourth quarters as well as each
month�s best-ever performance throughout 2005. The network consistently ranked
among the Top 10 ad-supported cable networks in both Prime Time and Total Day
household and demo ratings and delivery.
�This remarkable ratings performance is the result of the channel�s ongoing
original programming appropriate for audiences of all ages,� said David Kenin, Executive
Vice President, Programming, Hallmark Channel. �As the number one programmer of
original movies, the network has set itself apart from other content providers placing it
in a leadership position as we move into the next era of television history.�
In 2005, Hallmark Channel ranked among the Top 10 ad-supported cable
networks in several key areas. Following are year-to-year highlights of the network�s
record performance and growth:
� 0.7 Total Day HH rating ranks network #9 among all ad-supported cable
� Total Day HH ratings up +34%, ranking #7 in growth
� Total Day A18-49 delivery soared +36%, ranking #5 in growth
� Total Day A25-54 delivery improved +28%, ranking #7 in growth
� Prime Time HH ratings jumped +34%, ranking #9 in growth
� Prime Time A18-49 delivery rose +28%, ranking #9 in growth
Hallmark Channel has set the standard for original programming, including the
Mystery Movie franchises, which include �Mystery Woman,� starring Kellie Martin, �Jane
Doe,� starring Lea Thompson, �McBride,� starring John Larroquette, and the recently
launched �Murder 101,� starring Dick Van Dyke. The network also airs a range of
Original movies characterized by cinematic excellence and strong stories that are
relevant to viewers.
A cornerstone to Hallmark Channel�s schedule is its annual line-up of original
holiday movies. This year�s holiday premiere, �Meet the Santas,� starring Steve
Guttenberg, became the highest-rated telecast ever in the channel�s history and the
highest-rated ad-supported cable movie for the week of 12/12-12/18/05 (3.6 HH rating,
12/17/05).
Hallmark Channel�s continuous Original movie offerings throughout the year have
led the network to this record ratings performance. Rounding out the channel�s top five
highest-rated Original movie premieres in 2005 are:
� �Loves Long Journey,� also a Hallmark Channel Original holiday movie (3.0 HH
rating 12/3/05)
� �Out of the Woods� (2.6 HH rating, 4/2/05)
� �Thicker Than Water� (2.3 HH rating, 3/12/05)
� �The Reading Room� (2.2 HH rating, 11/26/05)
In 2005, Hallmark Channel was the first network in the United States to air a
biopic of Pope John Paul II with the critically acclaimed, �A Man Who Became Pope.�
The channel also schedules popular acquisitions including: �M*A*S*H,� �Little House on
the Prairie,� �The Waltons,� �Matlock,� �Walker, Texas Ranger,� �Diagnosis Murder� and
�JAG.�
Hallmark Channel boasts an unparalleled length of tune (LOT). In 2005, the
network ranked #1, among all cable networks, in households (27.3 minutes per hour),
A25-54 (25.2 minutes) and W25-54 (26.6 minutes). The network ranked #2, among all
broadcast and cable networks, in A25-54 LOT (25.2 minutes). In addition, nine of the
top 10 original cable movies, for LOT among P2+ in 2005, were Hallmark Channel
Original movies. (Source: Nielsen NPower; monthly LOT report)
Hallmark Channel continues to be the fastest-growing cable network since its
launch in August 2001, adding nearly 48 million full-time subscribers in its four-plus year
history. The channel reached the 70 million subscriber benchmark in September and at
the close of 2005 was seen in 71 million homes across the country, adding 6.1 million
subscribers year-to-year. This ranks the channel as the #3 network with the largest
subscriber increase year-to-year (Dec �04-Dec �05).
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 71 million
subscribers. The program service is distributed through more than 5,200 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.
Source: Nielsen Media Research
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