Mumbai: Crown Media Holdings has
reported net revenues of $39.5 million for the first quarter of
2002 a 71-per cent increase from $23.0 million for the first
quarter of 2001.
Crown Medias gross revenues increased to $41.4 million in the
first quarter of 2002, a 68-per cent increase from $24.7 million
in the first quarter of 2001. The net revenue in the first quarter
of 2002 increased 71 per cent to $39.5million from $23.0
million in the prior years quarter. The difference in gross and
net revenues is due to the netting of subscriber acquisition costs
and other fees against revenue.
Hallmark Channel subscribers increased 35 per cent to 91.5 million
worldwide as of 31 March 2002, from 67.6 million subscribers as of
31 March 2001. The Hallmark Channel ended the quarter with 44.9
million subscribers in the US and 46.6 million international
subscribers across over 110 countries. Subscribers of its domestic
channel increased 55 per cent over first quarter 2001 and 3 per
cent over the fourth quarter of 2001. Subscribers of its
international channel increased 21 per cent over the first quarter
of 2001 and 5 per cent over the fourth quarter of 2001.
During the first quarter of 2002, the Hallmark Channel US achieved
its highest-rated quarter in network history, according to Nielsen
Media Research, averaging a 0.6 prime-time household rating. This
represents a 50-per cent increase from the fourth quarter of 2001.
The Hallmark Channel US has shown the most growth in primetime
household delivery among all advertising-supported cable networks
since its launch on 5 August 2001.
In March 2002, the Hallmark Channel US announced that it will
commission 24 movies to be produced by Hallmark Entertainment. The
Hallmark Channel will begin to premier these original movies
before Christmas 2002. These films will represent a wide array of
genres, including dramas, mysteries, and westerns.
More recently, the Hallmark Channel US announced a long-term
programming agreement with Paramount Domestic Television. Under
the agreement, the Hallmark Channel secured the rights to dozens
of Paramounts top films, comedies, dramas and westerns, and
series, including Perry Mason, Hogans Heroes, The
Beverly Hillbillies, and Rawhide.
Crown Media US has purchased an original one-hour non-scripted
reality series, Adoption, portraying real-life experiences
of people who have been involved in the process of trying to adopt
a child. Produced exclusively for the Hallmark Channel US by
Hallmark Entertainment, this series will premier in early June
2002.
The Hallmark Channel US and Hallmark Gold Crown(R) stores are
teaming up for their first-ever cross-promotional effort in
support of the networks upcoming original miniseries, Stranded,
which will air exclusively on Hallmark Channel in June 2002. The
cross-promotional campaign will rollout nationally on 13 May, to
coincide with Hallmark Gold Crown stores Fathers Day sales
period. "We are very pleased with the continued success of
the Hallmark Channel, as is evident by increased ratings
performance both in the US and abroad," says Crown Media
Holdings president and CEO David Evans.
He continues: "First quarter 2002 primetime ratings for the
Hallmark Channel US increased 50 per cent from the fourth quarter
of 2001. In addition, the Hallmark Channel US scored its 10
highest-rated primetime telecasts ever during the first quarter of
2002. Meanwhile, in the UK, ratings increased 69 per cent for the
first quarter of 2002 versus the fourth quarter of 2001. Clearly,
our investments in broad distribution, a widely recognised brand,
and premier, high quality family-oriented content are yielding
benefits."
The Hallmark Channel, one of the worlds fastest-growing
international television networks, showcases a high-quality
brand of award-winning original movies and series in nearly 92
million households globally. It is owned and operated by Crown
Media Holdings, which distributes the Hallmark Channel to 111
countries worldwide, including the US.
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