HALLMARK CHANNEL CLOSES OUT 2023 AS MOST-WATCHED ENTERTAINMENT CABLE NETWORK OF THE YEAR AMONG KEY DEMOS

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS, HOLIDAY PROGRAMMING MAINSTAY, LIFTS HALLMARK CHANNEL TO BE FOURTH QUARTER'S #1 ENTERTAINMENT CABLE NETWORK AMONG WOMEN FOR 10TH STRAIGHT YEAR

A Merry Scottish Christmas Starring Party of Five Costars Lacey Chabert and Scott Wolf Earns Title of Ad-Supported Cable's #1 Most-Watched Movie of 2023  

January 5, 2024, NEW YORK -- Hallmark Channel rings in the new year by celebrating its title as the #1 most-watched entertainment cable network of 2023 among key demographics. The channel's Countdown to Christmas holiday programming event continued its annual domination of the cable charts last quarter, elevating it to be the most-watched entertainment cable network in Q4 among Women 18+ for an entire decade running. The 31 all-new Countdown to Christmas premieres lifted Hallmark Channel's holiday programming to be the #1 most-watched program on entertainment cable among key demos throughout its 9-week run. The network's standout original holiday movie premiere, A Merry Scottish Christmas starring Party of Five costars Lacey Chabert and Scott Wolf, set records across the cable industry as the #1 most-watched cable movie of the year in 2023. What's more, sister network Hallmark Movies & Mysteries was the #2 most-watched entertainment network - second to only Hallmark Channel - among key demos during the holiday season in December 2023.

Hallmark Channel's fan-favorite series also topped the television ratings charts, as the network delivered the Top 2 most-watched original scripted series on entertainment cable among Women 18+ with When Calls the Heart Season 10 at #1 and The Way Home Season 1 at #2. What's more, these two shows earned 2 spots in the Top 3 most-watched original scripted series of the year among Households, Total Viewers, and Persons 18+, with When Calls the Heart Season 10 at #1 and The Way Home Season 1 at #3. Both series will premiere new seasons in 2024, with The Way Home returning with season 2 on January 21.

Hallmark Channel Full Year 2023 Entertainment Cable Highlights include (L+SD):

· Hallmark Channel was the #1 most-watched network of the year in Total Day and Weekend Total Day among Households; Total Viewers; Women 25-54; Women and Persons 18+ and 55+

· Top 2 most-watched original scripted series of the year among Women 18+ with When Calls the Heart Season 10 at #1 and The Way Home Season 1 at #2

o 2 of the Top 3 most-watched original scripted series in 2023 among Households, Total Viewers and Persons 18+ with When Calls the Heart Season 10 at #1 and The Way Home Season 1 at #3

Hallmark Channel Countdown to Christmas + Fourth Quarter Entertainment Cable Highlights include (L+SD):  

· Hallmark Channel was the #1 most-watched network in Q4 in Weekend Total Day among Households; Total Viewers; Women and Persons 18+, 55+, 25-54, and 18-49

· #1 most-watched network in Total Day and Weekend Primetime with Households; Total Viewers; Women 25-54 and 18-49; Women and Persons 18+ and 55+

· #1 most-watched network in Primetime among Households; Total Viewers; Women and Persons 18+ and 55+

· In December 2023, sister channel Hallmark Movies & Mysteries was the #2 most-watched network - only behind Hallmark Channel! - in Total Day and Weekend Total Day among Households; Total Viewers; Women and Persons 18+ and 55+

o #2 most-watched - second to Hallmark Channel - in Weekend Prime with Women and Persons 55+; Primetime with Households; Women 18+; Women and Persons 55+

· A Merry Scottish Christmas starring Lacey Chabert and Scott Worlf became the #1 most-watched movie on all ad-supported cable of the year in 2023 among Households, Total Viewers, Women and Persons 18+ and 55+

o The film was Hallmark Channel's #1 most-watched original movie premiere in 2023 among Households, Total Viewers, Women and Persons 18+, 25-54, 18-49, and 55+

· Countdown to Christmas' 31 original movie premieres throughout its entire 9-week run became the #1 most-watched program among Women 18+; captured the #1 most-watched program title among Households, Total Viewers, Women 25-54, and Women and Persons 18+ from 10/20-12/7

· Delivered the Top 2 most-watched entertainment cable programs for 9 consecutive weeks among Women 18+; 2 of the Top 3 most-watched programs with Households and Total Viewers  

*Source: Nielsen L+SD Program based data; Span Strict Dayparts, M-Su/Sa-Su 6a-6a and 8p-11p; Dec'23 (11/27/2023 - 12/31/2023); 4Q'23 (09/25/2023 - 12/31/2023); 2023 (12/26/2022 - 12/31/2023); 31 Countdown to Christmas Premieres from 10/20-12/17/23;  When Calls the Heart Season 10 from 7/30/23-10/15/23; The Way Home Season 1 from 1/15/23-3/26/23. Entertainment Cable Network Ranks exclude News and Sports; "Original" Program ranks Exclude Repeats; Networks that share feed are weight averaged to daypart based on duration. 

ABOUT HALLMARK CHANNEL 

Hallmark Channel, owned by Hallmark Cards, Inc., is Hallmark Media's flagship 24-hour cable television network. As the country's leading destination for quality, feel-good entertainment, Hallmark Channel delivers on the 100-year legacy of the Hallmark brand. The network's lineup of signature original content includes movies, primetime scripted series, and specials. Dedicated to helping viewers celebrate holidays, seasons, and life's special moments, Hallmark Channel is home to a host of annual programming events, including the highly successful Countdown to Christmas, which has become a pop culture phenomenon and a beloved holiday tradition for millions of viewers. Rounding out the network's slate are some of television's most classic comedies and series, including The Golden Girls, Frasier, and Reba.