SEASON FINALE FOR HALLMARK CHANNEL'S SECOND ORIGINAL SCRIPTED SERIES, "WHEN CALLS THE HEART," FINISHES ON TOP

When Calls The Heart Delivers Its Highest Rating of the Season - 1.9 HH RTG

The Saturday season finale for Hallmark Channel's second original scripted series, When Calls the Heart, resonated strongly with viewers, reaching nearly 2.7 million unduplicated viewers. Building steadily from the beginning of the season, the concluding episode delivered a 1.9 household rating - besting last week's performance to become the highest-rated and the most watched episode among HHs and P2+. The Saturday night premiere ranked #3 in HHs and P2+ for the 9-10pm period, garnering a 1.9 rating and .9 rating, respectively. The program also placed #3 in HHs (1,666,000) and P2+ (2,066,000).

"The incredible outpouring of support from dedicated fans on social media combined with the steady increase in ratings for the first season of When Calls The Heart demonstrate the strength of the program's storytelling," said Michelle Vicary, EVP of programming and network publicity. "Our audience's high level of engagement in this program is another indication that our viewers want more original scripted series on Hallmark Channel."

The 12 episodes for the inaugural season of When Calls the Heart averaged a 1.6 household rating, which boosted Hallmark Channel to rank as the #3 cable network on Saturdays from 9 - 10pm (Jan 11 - March 29).

Source: The Nielsen Company, March 24 - 30, 2014, Live + SD coverage area ratings and impressions

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 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.

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