L.L.BEAN SIGNS ON AS MARQUIS SPONSOR FOR 2016 'NATIONAL CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING' SPECIAL TELEVISED EXCLUSIVELY ON HALLMARK CHANNEL

Program Produced in Partnership with National Park Foundation Presented as Part of Network's Top-Rated "Countdown to Christmas" Programming Event

Special Tapes December 1 in Washington, D.C.; Premieres on Hallmark Channel December 5

New York, NY - November 29, 2016 - Crown Media Family Networks and L.L.Bean announced today that the outdoor retailer has signed on as the marquis sponsor of the 94th annual "National Christmas Tree Lighting," which will air exclusively on Hallmark Channel as part of the network's highly-rated annual holiday programming event "Countdown to Christmas." The one-hour special tapes in Washington D.C. on December 1 and will be televised Monday, December 5 (7-8 p.m. ET/PT). The event will feature live performances by Kelly Clarkson and James Taylor, among a roster of popular talent. This year marks the final year of participation by President Obama and members of the First Family.

L.L.Bean's multi-faceted sponsorship will include an extensive on-air presence as the premium sponsor of limited commercial time; visibility for their apparel in-show and at the event with talent and audience members wearing signature L.L. Bean clothing; a variety of mentions in Hallmark Channel's two-hour daytime lifestyle program, "Home & Family"; digital elements; publicity support; and pervasive signage throughout the park during the event.

"Together, Hallmark Channel, the country's leading destination for holiday programming, and the 'National Christmas Tree Lighting,' a time-honored national holiday tradition, present an unparalleled opportunity for marketers to reach the broadest possible audience at this significant time of the year," said Ed Georger, Executive Vice President, Ad Sales, Crown Media Family Networks. "We can't think of a better fit for this platform than L.L.Bean, a beloved American brand that has been a favorite since 1912, and we are so pleased to partner with them in such a big way."

ABOUT CROWN MEDIA FAMILY NETWORKS

Crown Media Family Networks is the umbrella unit subsidiary of Hallmark Cards, Inc., housing cable's leading family friendly networks, Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, as well as their corresponding digital extensions HallmarkChannel.com and HallmarkMoviesandMysteries.com. The company operates and distributes both channels in high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) with Hallmark Channel available to 90 million subscribers and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries in 67 million homes in the United States. Hallmark Channel features an ambitious slate of new, original content, including movies; scripted series, such as "When Calls the Heart," and "Good Witch" and "Chesapeake Shores"; annual specials including "Hero Dog Awards" and "Kitten Bowl"; world premieres of Hallmark Hall of Fame presentations, and a daily, two-hour lifestyle show, "Home & Family." Hallmark Channel is also home to the popular annual holiday franchise "Countdown to Christmas," featuring a lineup of 24/7 holiday programming. Rounding out the network's lineup are television's most beloved comedy and drama series, including "The Golden Girls," "The Middle," "Frasier," "Last Man Standing" and "Home Improvement." Hallmark Movies & Mysteries is a separate 24-hour, digital cable network featuring a unique mix of new, original movies and acquired series focused on the lighter side of the suspense and mystery genres. The network also features its own annual holiday programming franchise, "Most Wonderful Movies of Christmas," as well as presentations from the multi-award-winning Hallmark Hall of Fame library. Hallmark Channel on Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube Hallmark Movies & Mysteries on Social Media: Facebook, Twitter

ABOUT L.L. BEAN

L.L.Bean, Inc. is a leading multichannel merchant of quality outdoor gear and apparel. Founded in 1912 by Leon Leonwood Bean, the company began as a one-room operation selling a single product, the Maine Hunting Shoe. Still family owned, Shawn Gorman, great grandson of Leon Leonwood Bean, was named Chairman of the Board of Directors in 2013. While its business has grown over the years, L.L.Bean continues to uphold the values of its founder, including his dedication to quality, customer service and a love of the outdoors. L.L.Bean products are rigorously tested, guaranteed to last, and always shipped free. In the past five years, L.L.Bean has donated over $6 million toward conservation and land stewardship. The 220,000 sq. ft. L.L.Bean retail store campus in Freeport, ME, is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and welcomes more than 3 million visitors every year. L.L.Bean can be found worldwide at www.llbean.com, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, Google+ and Instagram.

ABOUT NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION

The National Park Foundation is the official charity of America's national parks and nonprofit partner to the National Park Service. Chartered by Congress in 1967, the National Park Foundation raises private funds to help PROTECT more than 84 million acres of national parks through critical conservation and preservation efforts, CONNECT all Americans with their incomparable natural landscapes, vibrant culture and rich history, and INSPIRE the next generation of park stewards. In 2016, commemorating the National Park Service's 100th anniversary, the Foundation launched The Centennial Campaign for America's National Parks, a $350 million comprehensive fundraising campaign to strengthen and enhance the future of these national treasures for the next hundred years. Find out more and become a part of the national park community at www.nationalparks.org.