ABOUT US

Hallmark Channel is the quintessential 24-hour television destination for family-friendly programming and a leader in the production of original movies.  The network launched in 2001 and brings to audiences a brand with a 50-plus-year legacy that resonates with consumers.  Hallmark Channel is the fastest-growing major ad-supported cable network since its launch, and its strong ratings consistently rank the channel in the top 10 in Prime Time.  Hallmark Channel is seen in 84 million homes across the U.S. and has developed a stellar reputation for keeping viewers engaged and entertained.

A staple to the network, Hallmark’s original movies are characterized by strong storytelling through compelling themes and vibrant characters.  The network is in production on more than 30 original movies scheduled to air in 2008 – its largest-ever slate.  Rounding out its schedule, Hallmark also airs a mix of popular television series, including “7^th Heaven,” “Murder, She Wrote,” “M*A*S*H,” “Walker, Texas Ranger” and “Little House on the Prairie.”

Hallmark Channel continues to expand its offerings to viewers through its companion network, Hallmark Movie Channel, available in both standard definition (SD), and in high definition (HD), beginning April 2, 2008.  Crown Media Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRWN) owns and operates the networks.

Hallmark Channel, along with its sibling network Hallmark Movie Channel, serves as the exclusive cable home to the prestigious Hallmark Hall of Fame library, the longest-running and most-awarded movie series in television’s history.

Launching April 2, Hallmark Movie Channel HD will be simulcast alongside Hallmark Movie Channel SD, and will offer audiences an unparalleled viewing experience.  Hallmark Movie Channel, the second linear channel from Crown Media, is a 24-hour digital cable network dedicated to bringing viewers the very best family movies of all time with a mix of classic theatrical films, presentations from the acclaimed Hallmark Hall of Fame library – airing in their original Sunday night, 8-10 p.m., broadcast timeslot – and original Hallmark Channel movies.  The channel will also spotlight a major quarterly special event, beginning with the four-hour mini-series “Son of the Dragon,” starring David Carradine (“Kill Bill”) and John Reardon (“Merlin’s Apprentice”), premiering Wednesday, April 2 (8 p.m.-12 a.m.).

Hallmark Movie Channel HD launches at a time of high demand from distribution partners hungry for family-friendly content amidst the threat of government regulation, and utilizes the latest technology available to programmers and audiences. 

PROGRAMMING

Hallmark Channel Original Movies

THE SHELL SEEKERS

This two-hour original movie is an absorbing saga that features an extraordinary cast including Vanessa Redgrave, Maximilian Schell, Charles Edwards and Alastair MacKenzie.  When Penelope Keeling (Redgrave), the feisty 64-year-old daughter of a famous artist, suffers a mild heart attack, it signals in her the chance and the need to reassess her life – by reflecting on the choices that have defined it – and gives her the chance to revisit her past.  Shifting through time, the story of Penelope’s life unfolds – her bohemian childhood in London; her loveless marriage to a naval officer; her relationship with a dashing and romantic military man; her often volatile relationship with her selfish children and her efforts to repair those cracks; and the invaluable worth of her most prized possession – her late father’s exquisite painting, The Shell Seekers, a unifying work of art with the power to bring her  family together or destroy the bonds forever.  “The Shell Seekers” premieres Saturday, May 3 (9-11 p.m.).

FINAL APPROACH

Former FBI hostage rescue specialist Jack Bender’s (Dean Cain, “Las Vegas”) unique skills are challenged when he finds himself aboard a domestic flight hijacked by Greg Gilliad (Anthony Michael Hall,  “The Dead Zone”), member of a radical organization called the People’s Separatist Movement.  Gilliad wants their jailed leader freed, or he will begin killing passengers.  On the ground, Jack’s ex-wife, Alicia (Lea Thompson, “Jane Doe”), an FAA employee, along with Jack’s old FBI and ATF colleagues, discovers that the terrorists motives are tied to visions of nuclear grandeur, and there may be only way to stop them—by blowing the airliner out of the sky. Ernie Hudson, Sunny Mabrey, William Forsythe and Tracey Gold also star in “Final Approach,” premiering Saturday, May 24 (9-11p.m.).

SHARK SWARM

In the California coastal town of Half Moon Bay, Hamilton Lux (Armand Assante, “American Gangster”), an unscrupulous developer, begins dumping toxic waste into the bay in an attempt to dry up the livelihood of the local fisherman and force them to sell their land.  Fisherman Daniel Wilder (John Schneider, “Smallville”) and marine biologist Amy Zuckerman (Heather McComb, “Without a Trace”) discover the terrifying side effects of this attack on the environment: the environment is attacking back. After several locals are killed by mutated Great White sharks, Daniel and Amy discover the man-eaters are now traveling in unstoppable underwater swarms with a terrifying, single-minded purpose. “Shark Swarm” premieres Sunday, May 25 (9-11 p.m.).

Hallmark Movie Channel Original Movies

SON OF THE DRAGON

When a young thief known as DB (John Reardon, “Scary Movie 4”) and his friend, Bird (David Carradine, “Kill Bill”), decide to steal the crown jewels by having DB pose as a prince, their plan is thrown into chaos when DB falls for the Princess (Desiree Siahaan, “Marco Polo”).  Suddenly, DB is caught up in a web of deceit and intrigue, vying for the Princess’ hand against the cunning and ruthless Prince of the North (Rupert Graves, “V for Vendetta”).  The princess sends her servant, Ting Ting, disguised as a man to help DB, unaware that Ting Ting is secretly in love with DB.  Using this knowledge to his advantage, the Prince of the North lures DB and Bird into a trap which neither of them may survive. “Son of the Dragon,” a Hallmark Movie Channel and HD Channel Special Event, makes its television debut Wednesday, April 2 (8 p.m. – 12 a.m.).

Feature Film Premieres

Hallmark Channel

THE ACCIDENTAL TOURIST

An author of travel guides (William Hurt, “Vantage Point”) must come to terms with the tragic death of his young son and his wife’s estrangement (Kathleen Turner, “Romancing the Stone”). But things begin to look up when he meets a lovely, kooky dog trainer (Geena Davis, “The Fly”) who definitely marches to the beat of her own drum.  Davis won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar® for her role in this faithful adaptation of Anne Tyler's novel.  “The Accidental Tourist” makes its Hallmark Channel debut Sunday, April 27 (9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.).

Hallmark Movie Channel

MERLIN’S APPRENTICE

The great sorcerer Merlin has returned to Camelot, a Kingdom now vulnerable to ill-fates and war since the theft of the Holy Grail, its greatest gift and protection.  With the help of Jack, a hot-headed young beggar-thief imbued with his own unruly magic, the fight against unknown dangers begins – to find the Grail, restore it to its rightful place, and bring Camelot back to its glory days.  “Merlin’s Apprentice” stars John Reardon, Sam Neill, Meghan Ory and Miranda Richardson.  Part I of the mini-series premieres Friday, March 28 (8-10 p.m.); Part II premieres Saturday, March 29 (8-10 p.m.).

A FAR OFF PLACE

Thrown together under incredible circumstances, two strangers discover courage and strength when they begin a journey across the treacherous African desert. Equipped with only their wits and the expertise of a native bushman who befriends them, they are determined to triumph over impossible odds and make it to safety.  Reese Witherspoon, Ethan Embry and Maximilian Schell star in “A Far Off Place,” which makes its Hallmark Movie Channel debut Sunday, March 30 (5:30-8 p.m.).

MARCO POLO

Assigned to accompany two priests on a mission to convert the court of Kublai Khan (Brian Dennehy, “First Blood”) to Christianity, Marco Polo (Ian Somerhalder, “Lost”) is abandoned in the mountains when the priests, doubting the very existence of China, turn back.  Polo eventually pushes bravely forth alone toward the fabled country where he is accepted as an envoy into Khan’s court.  Marooned on the far side of the world, Polo, accompanied by his servant Pedro (B.D. Wong, “Law & Order:  SVU”), advances as a Mongol grandee for 20 years. What he eventually brings back with him to the West is a chronicle that changed history forever.  “Marco Polo,” a Hallmark Channel original movie, makes its Hallmark Movie Channel debut Friday, April 4 (8 p.m. – 12 a.m.).

THE HOLLYWOOD MOM’S MYSTERY

When a high society Hollywood actress is found dead in her neighbor Lucy's (Justine Bateman, “Family Ties”) swimming pool, everyone, including Lucy's husband (Andrew McCarthy, “Lipstick Jungle”), is a suspect.  Lucy, determined to clear her husband's name, becomes an amateur sleuth set on solving the whodunit.  Along the way Lucy unravels some deep dark Hollywood secrets which may bring the killer to justice, but will she be the next on his list?  Angie Everhart (“Last Action Hero”) and George Hamilton (“Love at First Bite”) co-star.  “The Hollywood Mom’s Mystery” makes its Hallmark Movie Channel debut Sunday, April 6 (10 p.m. – 12 a.m.).

MY SISTER’S KEEPER

Kathy Bates (“P.S. I Love You”) and Elizabeth Perkins (“Must Love Dogs”) are sisters who embark on a journey of discovery and reconciliation in this poignant, real-life story based on the memoirs of Margaret Moorman.  Diagnosed with schizophrenia, Christine (Bates) must rely on others for support but longs for independence and an ordinary life.  Her sister Judy (Perkins), a career-oriented New York art director, becomes responsible for her care when their mother dies.  The two are left to face the struggles of finding common ground.  “My Sister’s Keeper,” a Hallmark Hall of Fame film, makes its Hallmark Movie Channel debut Saturday, April 12 (10 p.m. – 12 a.m.).

MARK TWAIN’S ROUGHING IT

An entertaining and adventuresome story of Mark Twain's (James Garner, “8 Simple Rules”) youth, when as a young Sam Clemens (Robin Dunne, “NCIS”) travels the West encountering stage coach robbers and killers, striking it rich, and enduring a bone-chilling winter, all while in search of his calling. Adam Arkin (“Boston Leagal”), Jill Eikenberry (“L.A. Law”), Eric Roberts (“Heroes”), and Ned Beatty (“Charlie Wilson’s War”) also star.  “Mark Twain’s Roughing It,” a Hallmark Channel original movie, makes its Hallmark Movie Channel debut Saturday, April 19 (2 – 6 p.m.).

RELATIVE VALUES

When a big time movie star (William Baldwin, “Dirty Sexy Money”) and Hollywood diva (Jeanne Tripplehorn, “Big Love”) break up, an English aristocrat (Colin Firth, “Nanny McPhee”) sweeps her off her feet and boldly takes her home to meet his high-class, society-minded mother (Julie Andrews, “Princess Diaries”) who is none-too-pleased at the thought of having a "starlet" in the family.  When the former boyfriend hears about the wedding, he seeks the help of the bitter mother-in-law to win back the woman of his dreams.  “Relative Values” makes its Hallmark Movie Channel debut Sunday, April 20 (6 – 8 p.m.).

THE KING AND QUEEN OF MOONLIGHT BAY

With a bus ticket in hand and Flagstaff, Arizona as the destination, 17-year-old Alison (Kristen Bell, “Veronica Mars”) embarks on a mission: to find the father (Tim Matheson, “The West Wing”) who abandoned her family when she was 5 years old, try to understand the past, and reestablish a relationship with the stranger she has never forgotten.  Sean Young (“No Way Out”) and Ed Asner (“Lou Grant”) co-star in “The King and Queen of Moonlight Bay,” making its Hallmark Movie Channel debut Sunday, April 20 (10 p.m. – 12 a.m.).

*All times are ET/PT.