HALLMARK CHANNEL GREENLIGHTS PRODUCTION ON "CHESAPEAKE SHORES" THE NETWORK'S NEWEST PRIMETIME ORIGINAL SCRIPTED SERIES SET TO PREMIERE IN 2015

Series Will Be Based On The Beloved Novels By New York Times Bestselling Author Sherryl Woods

Hallmark Channel announces its newest primetime original scripted series in development, "Chesapeake Shores," has been greenlit to start production. Based on New York Times bestselling author Sherryl Woods' cherished 10-part book series of the same name, "Chesapeake Shores" follows the heartfelt story of the O'Brien family. A sprawling, multi-generational clan, the O'Briens reunite in their charming hometown on the banks of the Chesapeake Bay to face the painful memories from the past and learn the importance of reconciliation. The pilot is scheduled for its World Premiere on Hallmark Channel in 2015. The series would be the fourth original primetime series for the network, following the network's other original series, "Cedar Cove," "When Calls the Heart" and "Signed, Sealed, Delivered."

"We have had tremendous success partnering with bestselling authors to bring to life their beloved stories and we are so excited to extend that partnership with revered author Sherryl Woods," said Michelle Vicary, EVP, Programming for Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel. "We know our audience will be captivated by the breadth of storylines and characters that Sherryl weaves throughout her books and we are thrilled for 'Chesapeake Shores' to join our lineup of successful primetime series," Vicary concluded.

Woods started writing the Chesapeake Shores book series in 2009, and is a successful romance writer of over 100 romance and mystery novels since 1982. She is frequently on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists with her stories that feature heartfelt family sagas. "Chesapeake Shores" marks her first partnership with Hallmark Channel, building on the network's previous success with bringing bestselling authors' stories to the screen.

"Chesapeake Shores" tells the story of architect and urban planner Mick O'Brien, who has built the community of Chesapeake Shores from scratch on land once owned by his ancestors. But the process of developing the town on the banks of the Chesapeake Bay created dissension among Mick and his brothers. His workaholic lifestyle created problems in his marriage as well, especially when his success took him away from his family for longer and longer periods of time. When his wife left him, Mick convinced her to leave their five children with him in Chesapeake Shores, and then turned them over to his mother Nell to raise. Now, one by one, those children - now adults - are returning to Chesapeake Shores to make peace with their uninvolved father and with the mother they believe abandoned them. Mick's brothers, too, must find a way to make amends and move on. And at the heart of it all is Nell, the glue that holds this entire family - sons, brothers, sisters, wives and cousins - together. "Chesapeake Shores" is about family, but it's also about community and heartfelt emotions - the kind that can tear families apart, and the kind that can make them heal.

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 86 million subscribers. Hallmark Channel is the nation's leading destination for quality family programming with an ambitious slate of TV movies; original scripted series, including Cedar Cove and When Calls the Heart; specials such as Kitten Bowl; 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 Daytime Emmy-nominated lifestyle program, 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.

Crown Media Family Networks is the umbrella unit of Crown Media Holdings, Inc., which houses Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel. The company operates and distributes both channels in high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) with Hallmark Channel available to 86 million subscribers in the U.S. and Hallmark Movie Channel in 53 million homes. Hallmark Channel is the nation's leading destination for quality family programming with an ambitious slate of original TV movies, specials such as Kitten Bowl, 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. Hallmark Channel is also home to original scripted series, including Cedar Cove and When Calls the Heart, and Daytime Emmy-nominated lifestyle program, Home & Family, a daily two-hour live show shot in a fully functional house located on the Universal Studios California lot. Hallmark Movie Channel is one of America's fastest-growing cable networks and provides family-friendly movies with a mix of original films, classic theatrical releases, and presentations from the acclaimed Hallmark Hall of Fame library. In addition, Crown Media Family Networks includes the online offerings of HallmarkChannel.com and HallmarkMovieChannel.com.

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