HALLMARK CHANNEL ANNOUNCES A COLLABORATION WITH HALLMARK CARDS TO CREATE FIRST-EVER LONG-FORM HALLMARK CHANNEL ORIGINAL HOLIDAY MOVIE "NORTHPOLE"

Hallmark Channel is proud to announce a collaboration with Hallmark Cards, Inc., to create the Hallmark Channel Original Holiday Movie, 'NORTHPOLE.' In the past, Hallmark Channel has partnered with its parent company to bring to life Hallmark's interactive storybook character, Jingle, in the original animated half-hour special "Jingle All The Way" [2011]. The hugely successful and award-winning animated special spawned Hallmark Channel's sequel "Jingle And Bell's Christmas Star" [2012]. Now, Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Cards will produce a full-length two-hour Hallmark Channel Original Movie for Christmas, 'NORTHPOLE.' Casting of the film is TBD. 'NORTHPOLE' tells the charming tale about a reporter who, with the help of her son and his teacher, recaptures the joy of the holiday season and in the process saves Christmas. 'NORTHPOLE' will premiere in 2014 during the network's beloved "Countdown To Christmas" programming initiative. Hallmark Channel is the #1 television destination for holiday enthusiasts.

"Hallmark Channel is excited to work with a very talented team to produce the full-length, two-hour original holiday movie, 'NORTHPOLE,'" said Michelle Vicary, Executive Vice President, Programming, Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel. "Hallmark Channel is the #1 destination on television for holiday programming and we know 'NORTHPOLE' will become that instant classic that our audience will want to see every year," Vicary concluded.

'NORTHPOLE' is a Muse Entertainment production. Executive Producer is Joel S. Rice. Writers are Gregg Rossen and Brian Sawyer.

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 88 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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ABOUT HALLMARK CARDS, INC.

Hallmark makes the world a more caring place by helping people express what's in their hearts and spend time together - a privilege few other companies in the world enjoy. Hallmark greeting cards and other products are found in more than 39,000 retail outlets in the United States, including the network of flagship Hallmark Gold Crown(R) stores. The brand also reaches people online at Hallmark.com and on television through Hallmark Hall of Fame original movies and cable's top-rated Hallmark Channel. Worldwide, Hallmark offers products in more than 30 languages available in 100 countries. This privately held company is based in Kansas City, Mo., and is led by the third generation of the founding Hall family. Visit http://corporate.hallmark.com for more details.