Crown Media posts 71% rise in ne

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.