THE SEASON 3 FINALE OF HALLMARK CHANNEL'S "WHEN CALLS THE HEART" BECOMES THE HIGHEST-RATED AND MOST-WATCHED EPISODE IN THE SERIES' HISTORY

On Social, Weekly Premieres Boost Series to be the Most Engaging on Television for Entire Season

Network Greenlights 4th Season

Hallmark Channel's original primetime series, When Calls the Heart, capped off a successful third season with the finale episode garnering a 2.6 HH rating and 3 million total viewers on a Live+3 basis, becoming the highest rated episode in the series' history. The Sunday, April 10th debut also became the series' most-watched episode among all demographics. In its 9pm time period, the episode elevated Hallmark Channel to rank as the 2nd most-watched network on cable among HHs and Total Viewers.

The third season averaged a 2.3 HH rating and 2.6 million Total Viewers with 3 day time shifting included, elevating the network to be the 2nd highest-rated cable network in the time period. Additionally, this season outperformed the season two L+3 delivery average by 23% among HHs, 46% among W25-54 and 30% among Total Viewers.

Viewers also took to Twitter last Sunday as When Calls the Heart became the most engaging series premiering a new episode for the week across cable and broadcast, boasting an average 67 Tweets per person. Additionally, the finale attracted the most unique authors of any series on the network, becoming Hallmark Channel's most social original series episode.

The third season of the series made a strong impression on social media overall, averaging more unique authors and Tweets than the preceding two seasons. Compared to season 1 and 2, the third season average of When Calls the Heart was up 45% and 46% among unique authors and 631% and 175% among Tweets, respectively. Across cable and broadcast television, When Calls the Heart became the most engaging series premiering a new episode for the entire season. Moreover, during Sunday Total Day, it was the 2nd most Tweeted series airing a new episode for the season with the exception of last weekend's debut, which became the #1 Tweeted original drama series on cable for the week.

As announced on Hallmark Channel's daily lifestyle series Home & Family earlier this week, the network has confirmed a fourth season for the frontier drama series. Production on the new season is scheduled to commence in Vancouver this summer for a 2017 premiere.

"Only Hallmark Channel could bring a wonderfully heartfelt period drama like When Calls the Heart to life, and our audience has responded by passionately supporting the series in every way," said Michelle Vicary, Executive Vice President, Programming and Network Publicity, Crown Media Family Networks. "The enthusiasm the 'Hearties' have displayed for our brand of storytelling is unprecedented, and they can be assured that Sunday nights will continue to shine with the very best Hallmark Channel has to offer. Next up is Good Witch, and coming this summer we know our viewers will fall in love with Chesapeake Shores."

Hallmark Channel continues to present original series on Sunday nights, with the return of Good Witch for a second season this Sunday, April 17 at 9pm ET/PT and the much anticipated series premiere of Chesapeake Shores in Summer 2016.

Hallmark Channel's Original Primetime Series When Calls the Heart is a Believe Pictures and Brad Krevoy Television production. Michael Landon Jr., Brian Bird, Brad Krevoy, Robin Bernheim Burger, Eric Jarboe, Susie Belzberg, Michael Shepard and Jimmy Townsend are executive producers. Paul Jackson, Cynthia J. Cohen, Amanda Phillips Atkins, Neill Fearnley, Martin Wood and Peter DeLuise are co-executive producers. Written by Richard Manning and Robin Bernheim Burger and directed by Peter DeLuise. Based on the novel by Janette Oke.

Source: Nielsen, April 4-10, 2016; Nielsen SocialGuide Twitter TV Ratings, 2/21-4/10/16.

ABOUT HALLMARK CHANNEL

Hallmark Channel is Crown Media Family Networks' flagship 24-hour cable television network, distributed nationwide in high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) to 89 million homes. The country's leading destination for quality family entertainment, Hallmark Channel delivers on the 100-year legacy of the Hallmark brand. In addition to its signature original movies, the network features an ambitious lineup of other original content, including scripted primetime series, such as Good Witch and When Calls the Heart; annual specials like Kitten Bowl and Hero Dog Awards and; a daily 2-hour lifestyle show, Home & Family. Additionally, in November 2014, Hallmark Channel became the exclusive home to world premiere presentations of the acclaimed Hallmark Hall of Fame franchise. Dedicated to helping viewers celebrate life's special moments, Hallmark Channel also offers such annual holiday programming events as Countdown to Christmas and Countdown to Valentine's Day. Rounding out the network's diverse slate are television's most beloved sitcoms and series, including The Golden Girls, The Middle, Little House on the Prairie, and Frasier.

Crown Media Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRWN), owns and operates Crown Media Family Networks.