A RECORD 8.9 MILLION VIEWERS TUNE IN AND CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAY TRADITIONS WITH HALLMARK CHANNEL'S TRIO OF NEW ORIGINAL CHRISTMAS MOVIES

Hallmark Channel Delivers the Top 3 Movies of the Week

Rejoicing in the classic Christmas traditions of decorating the Christmas tree, joy, family gatherings, Santa, caring, presents, and family meals, more than 8.9 million unduplicated viewers tuned-in this weekend to watch the world premieres of three Hallmark original movies: "A Christmas Wedding Tail", "The Case for Christmas", and "A Christmas Wish". "A Christmas Wedding Tail" opened the weekend with 2.0 HH rtg, while "The Case for Christmas" scored a 2.5 HH rtg, and "A Christmas Wish" closed with a 3.5 HH rtg. Hallmark Channel delivered the top 3 ad-supported cable movies for the week with "A Christmas Wish" holding the #1 spot, while "The Case for Christmas" and "A Christmas Wedding Tail" ranked as #2 and #3, respectively.

"Every year our heartwarming �Countdown to Christmas' programming draws a record-breaking audience and this year is no exception," said Bill Abbott, President and Chief Executive Officer, Crown Media Family Networks. "We are thrilled to see this upward ratings trend and hope that our viewers continue to invite Hallmark Channel into their homes as part of their annual holiday traditions."

"A Christmas Wish" (Sun 8-10p), the #2 prime time program on ad-supported cable for Sunday, replaces last week's "Lucky Christmas" as Hallmark Channel's highest-rated telecast of 2011-to-date, in addition to being the 4th highest telecast in network history! In the time period, "A Christmas Wish" ranked #1 in HH rtg and total viewers (P2+) rtg, as well as #1 in HH and Total Viewers (P2+) Delivery, lifting the network to the highest-rated cable network in prime time for the day among HH (2.9 HH rtg). The film, reaching over 5.7 million unduplicated viewers, also placed as the highest rated cable network for the day among W25-54 rating.

"The Case for Christmas" (Sat 8-10p) was the #1 movie of the day on Saturday among HH rtg and placed as #2 in the time period for HH rtg (2.5 rtg), W25-54 rtg (1.2 rtg) and total viewers (P2+) rtg, as well as #2 in the delivery among HH's, W25-54, and P2+. Seen by nearly 4.1 million unduplicated viewers, "The Case for Christmas" boosted Hallmark Channel to the #2 rated cable network in Prime Time for the day among HH (2.1 HH rtg).

"A Christmas Wedding Tail" (Sat 6-8p), the #2 movie for the night in Saturday prime time among HH rtg, ranked among the top 10 for key demo ratings, including #2 in 4 categories (HH, W18-49, W25-54, and P2+). In addition, the film was #2 in key demo delivery for W25-54 (451,000), and #3 in HH (1,777,000).

When Rusty the Labrador and Cheri the Poodle fall in love, these canine matchmakers help their owners (Garth, Rowe) fall for each other too. The dogs must perform a Christmas miracle to get the Christmas Day wedding off without a hitch. "A Christmas Wedding Tail" stars Jennie Garth ("90210," "Accidentally in Love"), Tom Arnold ("Rosanne"), Brad Rowe ("General Hospital") and Emmy(R) nominated actress Catherine Hicks ("7th Heaven").

"The Case for Christmas", starring Dean Cain ("Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman," "The Three Gifts") and Rachel Blanchard ("7th Heaven"), tells the tale of an up-and-coming recently widowed attorney who represents Santa Claus and defends the magic of Christmas in one of the biggest law suits the world has ever seen. In his journey through the trial that could make or break his career, he not only helps save Santa, but also discovers the courage to let love back into his life just in time for Christmas.

Emmy(R) Award-winning actor Edward Herrmann ("The Gilmore Girls"), Academy Award(R) and Golden Globe nominee Tess Harper ("No Country For Old Men") and Kristy Swanson ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer") find new friendships can create holiday miracles in "A Christmas Wish". When Martha Evans (Swanson) finds herself homeless with her two young daughters and stepson just a week before Christmas, she puts her trust in a new town full of friendly strangers and prays for the best. As she befriends the friendly, warm-hearted locals, things seem to be looking up - until her no-good husband returns out of the blue. Will Martha get the merry Christmas that she deserves?

Source: The Nielsen Company, November 14 - 20, 2011

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 87 million subscribers. The top tier program service is distributed through approximately 5,492 cable systems and communities as well as direct-to-home satellite services across the country. Hallmark Channel is the nation's leading network in quality family programming with an ambitious slate of original TV movies, lifestyle and general entertainment content, and is the home of "The Martha Stewart Show", which anchors the channel's daytime original programming block. Hallmark Channel's sibling network is Hallmark Movie Channel, also available in HD and SD, which focuses on the family-friendly movies with a mix of classic theatrical films, presentations from the acclaimed Hallmark Hall of Fame library, original Hallmark Channel movies and special events.