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EXHIBIT 99
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HALLMARK ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK
LAUNCHES REDESIGNED BRAND STRATEGY
Based upon extensive viewer research and operator feedback,
Hallmark is rolling out a new brand platform
Branded theme blocks, new positioning line, on-air graphics
and signature music developed to support new branding efforts
ENGLEWOOD, CO - AUGUST 21, 2000 - Having achieved significant penetration and
awareness throughout Asia, Latin America, Europe, Africa and the Middle East,
Hallmark Entertainment Network, which is owned and operated by Crown Media
International, Inc. the international subsidiary of Crown Media Holdings, Inc.
(NASDAQ NM: CRWN) (ASE: CRWN), today announced that as part of its global
business plan, the company will introduce a psychographic-based brand strategy
which will reward the viewers with a more fulfilling entertainment experience.
Based on extensive research with core viewers and operators, the company will
implement a comprehensive marketing campaign to aggressively build equity in
the brand. To that end, Hallmark has created a new brand package, which will
include branded theme blocks, a new positioning line, on-air graphics and
signature music.
"To reflect the core brand values expressed by our viewers in the research, we
chose Celebrate Life as our new positioning line," commented Ms. Chris Moseley,
Executive Vice President, Worldwide Marketing for Crown Media Holdings, Inc.
"The viewers told us quite simply that our programming has helped them better
understand their lives. The Hallmark brand is incredibly relevant to them and
they value it above other entertainment channels because they can experience a
sense of growth, have a better understanding of life and appreciate it all with
new meaning."
"Our research provided us with the fundamental shared values of our viewership
enabling us to provide our audience with a television experience relevant to
their daily lives," said Andrew Brilliant, Executive Vice President/Deputy CEO
for Crown Media International. "We are able to provide programming with unique
value to our viewers, operators and advertisers. Our new positioning clearly
differentiates us from all other channels locally, regionally and globally.
Hallmark Entertainment Network is like no other channel within the
entertainment arena."
As the first step of this redesign, Hallmark commissioned Lubin Lawrence, Inc.
(LLI), a renowned global brand strategy development-consulting firm which has
worked with such clients as Microsoft, Unilever, and PepsiCo. Working closely
with LLI, Hallmark initiated a six-month global branding research project that
included in-depth MSO and consumer focus groups in the UK, Poland, Taiwan,
India and Argentina. The entire project focused on five key factors:
Identification of key viewer segments critical for future growth; understanding
of the core values of the target audience; fundamental viewer understanding;
definition and development of the Hallmark brand platform and lastly, the
translation of the brand platform into a dominant growth strategy.
The next component of marketing the Hallmark brand was the development of a new
graphics package, unique musical signature, and new positioning for the
network. PMcD Design, the internationally acclaimed design firm whose clients
include TNT, AMC, ESPN, and National Geographic, was retained to create and
visually communicate the new network identity. From the very beginning of the
redesign, PMcD participated in all the focus groups enabling them to have a
true understanding of what the viewers wanted. Based on this knowledge, PMcD
has developed all-new print and broadcast elements that will communicate and
support the new brand delivering optimism, energy, zest for life and
spontaneity.
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Additional creative support for the package was provided by Unconventional
Wisdom, the copywriting house which provided Celebrate Life, the new
positioning line for the network, and Elias Associates, a leading music
production company which provided the network's new unique musical signature.
The core of the network's programming has been exclusive, original movies
produced by the network's sister company, Hallmark Entertainment, Inc. (HEI).
To that end, the network will continue to fill its line-up with exclusive HEI
product and take the programming platform further by launching branded blocks.
Six new primetime branded blocks have been created to offer Hallmark viewers
appointment television and advertisers a more defined target audience. While
the programming of the individual branded blocks appeals to a more specific
audience, the programming itself will still offer entertainment that can
translate to a broad viewing spectrum while providing a viewing destination
that will not have to be censored by parents.
The network will take ownership of the redesigned brand over the course of a
six month roll-out beginning November 1 in Asia and Latin America, followed by
a December launch in Czech Republic, Slovakia, Turkey, Greece and Central
Europe. Throughout the first quarter of 2001, the redesigned brand will also
launch in New Zealand, Australia and Japan, Eastern Europe, Israel, Middle
East, Russia, South Africa and rounding out the launch will be Scandalux, Spain
and Italy.
ABOUT HALLMARK ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK
Hallmark Entertainment Network is a global channel brand showcasing
high-quality, award-winning original movies and miniseries to over 27 million
households worldwide. It is owned and operated by Crown Media International,
Inc. a wholly owned subsidiary of Crown Media Holdings, Inc.
ABOUT CROWN MEDIA HOLDINGS, INC.
Crown Media Holdings, Inc. owns and operates pay television channels dedicated
to high quality family programming. The Company currently operates and
distributes three cable channels: Hallmark Entertainment Networks in over 70
international markets, the Odyssey Network in the United States and the Kermit
Channel in Asia. Crown Media has more than 60 million subscribers worldwide.
Statements contained in this press release may contain forward-looking
statements as contemplated by the 1995 Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
that are based on management's current expectations, estimates and projections.
Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could
cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied in
the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties are detailed in
the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including
the Risk Factors included in the Company's registration statement, as amended,
registration no. 333-95573, initially filed on January 28, 2000.
# # #
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
INVESTOR RELATIONS: U.S. MEDIA:
John Nesbett/Mary Ellen Adipietro Elissa Grabowski/Pamela Rigler
Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates
212-838-3777 212-838-3777
[email protected]/[email protected] [email protected]/[email protected]
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA:
Sheila Morris/Georgia Scott
Morris Marketing Inc.
818-487-9300
[email protected]
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For Immediate Release
ECHOSTAR TO ADD ODYSSEY NETWORK TO DISH PROGRAMMING LINE-UP
Odyssey Available to DISH Network's 4.3 Million Customers Nationally
STUDIO CITY, CA - SEPTEMBER 5, 2000 - Odyssey Network, owned and operated by a
wholly owned subsidiary of Crown Media Holdings, Inc. (NASD: CRWN) (ASE: CRWN),
has signed a long-term distribution agreement with EchoStar Communications
Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH, DISHP) to make the network available to EchoStar's
4.3 million customers beginning September 5. Announcement of the agreement was
made by Margaret Loesch, President & CEO of Odyssey, and Michael Schwimmer,
Vice President of Programming at EchoStar Satellite Company.
Under the agreement, Odyssey will be offered in DISH Network's America's Top
150 programming package, at no additional charge. America's Top 150 features
family, sports, news and movie channels in one package.
Odyssey Network, which provides quality family television programming to a
national audience of nearly 28 million subscribers, is the domestic network of
Crown Media Holdings, Inc. Strategic investors in Crown Media include Hallmark
Entertainment, Inc., EM.TV & Merchandising AG (parent company of The Jim Henson
Company), Liberty Media Corp. (NYSE: LMG.A and LMG.B), the KirchMedia GmbH &
Co. KgaA and the National Interfaith Cable Coalition.
"OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH DISH NETWORK IS A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO
BROADEN OUR REACH AND TO INCREASE THE PROFILE OF ODYSSEY," SAID RON GARFIELD,
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, NETWORK DISTRIBUTION & SERVICE FOR ODYSSEY NETWORK, WHO
LED NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE NETWORK. "WE'RE VERY PLEASED THAT OUR DISTRIBUTION NOW
INCLUDES BEING PART OF DISH NETWORK'S PROGRAMMING LINEUP."
"Through its ties with Hallmark Entertainment and The Jim Henson Company,
Odyssey provides a truly unique blend of entertainment programming that answers
the call of viewers who want high quality, thought-provoking programming they
can watch with their families" said Mr. Schwimmer. "We're delighted to be
making this programming choice available to DISH Network customers."
Odyssey Network is a 24-hour television channel that provides high-quality
family entertainment programming to a national audience of nearly 28 million
subscribers. The network is distributed through 1,500 cable systems, DirecTV
(Channel 312) EchoStar DISH Network (Channel 185) and Primestar (Channel 84)
direct-to-home satellite services and C-Band dish owners across the country.
For more information on Odyssey Network and its programming visit
www.OdysseyChannel.com.
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DISH Network is EchoStar's state-of-the-art direct broadcast satellite system
with the capacity to offer 500 channels of digital video and CD-quality audio
programming as well as fully MPEG-2/DVB compliant hardware and installation.
DISH Network, a trademark of EchoStar Communications Corporation, currently
serves more than 4.3 million customers nationwide. EchoStar is included in the
Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) which contains the largest non-financial companies on
the NASDAQ Stock Market.
About Crown Media Holdings, Inc.
CROWN MEDIA HOLDINGS, INC. OWNS AND OPERATES PAY TELEVISION CHANNELS DEDICATED
TO HIGH QUALITY FAMILY PROGRAMMING. THE COMPANY CURRENTLY OPERATES AND
DISTRIBUTES THREE CABLE CHANNELS: HALLMARK ENTERTAINMENT NETWORKS IN OVER 70
INTERNATIONAL MARKETS, THE ODYSSEY NETWORK IN THE UNITED STATES AND THE KERMIT
CHANNEL IN ASIA. CROWN MEDIA HAS MORE THAN 60 MILLION SUBSCRIBERS WORLDWIDE.
Statements contained in this press release may contain forward-looking
statements as contemplated by the 1995 Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
that are based on management's current expectations, estimates and projections.
Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes,"
"estimates," variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to
identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are
subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ
materially from those projected or implied in the forward-looking statements.
Such risks and uncertainties include: competition and fluctuations in the
availability of programming and fluctuations in demand for the programming we
air on our channels, as well as other risks detailed in the Company's filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Risk Factors
included in the Company's registration statement, as amended, registration no.
333-95573, initially filed on January 28, 2000. Crown Media Holdings is not
undertaking any obligation to release publicly any updates to any forward
looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this
release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
ODYSSEY NETWORK
Mark J. Kern 818.755.2626
Joan Behan 212.930.1947
ECHOSTAR
Judianne Atencio 303 723.2010
Marc Lumpkin 303.723.2020
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CROWN MEDIA HOLDINGS, INC
RESTRUCTURES KERMIT CHANNEL THROUGHOUT ASIA
Hallmark Entertainment Network Asia to Launch Daytime Blocks Featuring
All New Programming including the "Best of the Best" of Kermit
ENGLEWOOD, CO -- OCTOBER 26, 2000 -- Following the redesign of the Hallmark
Entertainment Network, Crown Media Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ NM: CRWN) (ASE: CRWN),
today announced that it will restructure the Kermit Channel in Asia.
As part of its extended business plan to increase distribution and drive
advertising support of its channels, Crown Media's Hallmark Entertainment
Network will introduce a new daytime block developed for the Asian market.
Offering six hours of daytime programming dedicated to the kids' market (a
3-hour midmorning block and a 3-hour afternoon block), the block is set to
launch on the channel November 1, 2000 at which time Kermit Channel will cease
broadcasting in its Asian regions. The kids' block will continue to underscore
the Company's commitment to provide an array of children's programming that is
consistently fresh, enriching, educating and entertaining, including Kermit's
highly regarded "edutainment" programming, as part of its line-up. The kids'
block, while providing value-added viewing to the current Hallmark Entertainment
Network subscribers throughout Asia, also offers a unifying front for
advertisers seeking programming targeted to the highly desirable kids'
demographic.
"The programming from Kermit, which will be included in the kids' block, is
directly in line with Hallmark Entertainment Network's positioning," commented
David Evans, President and Chief Executive Officer for Crown Media Holdings,
Inc. "Hallmark Entertainment Network's more established brand presence and
evolved brand equity led the Company to realize the strength of the combined
networks. By combining the two channels, Hallmark Entertainment Network is now
able to deliver its best programming via one strong channel that targets all of
our demos."
In India, where Kermit Channel currently maintains a significant number of
subscribers, the channel will continue to broadcast under its existing banner.
Crown Media is currently in discussions with Modi Entertainment Network (MEN),
the leader in distribution and subscriber management services for pay television
signals throughout India, regarding the possibility of a joint venture to
leverage the existing subscriber base for additional distribution and
advertising revenue.
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ABOUT HALLMARK ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK
Hallmark Entertainment Network is a global channel brand showcasing
high-quality, award-winning original movies and miniseries to over 27 million
households worldwide. It is owned and operated by Crown Media International,
Inc. a wholly owned subsidiary of Crown Media Holdings, Inc.
ABOUT CROWN MEDIA HOLDINGS, INC.
Crown Media Holdings, Inc. owns and operates pay television channels dedicated
to high quality family programming. The Company currently operates and
distributes three cable channels: Hallmark Entertainment Network in over 70
international markets, the Odyssey Network in the United States and the Kermit
Channel in Asia and India. Crown Media has more than 60 million subscribers
worldwide.
ABOUT MODI ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK
MEN is a part of the K.K. Modi Group (KKM), headquartered in Mumbai, KKM is
among the leading industrial conglomerates in India with wide-ranging business
interests in chemicals, tobacco, tea, home care consumer products, media &
entertainment. MEN is a pioneer and leader in providing distribution and
subscriber management services or encrypted "pay" television services in India.
Statements contained in this press release may contain forward-looking
statements as contemplated by the 1995 Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
that are based on management's current expectations, estimates and projections.
Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes,"
"estimates," variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to
identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject
to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ
materially from those projected or implied in the forward-looking statements.
Such risks and uncertainties include: competition for distribution of channels,
viewers, advertisers, and the acquisition of programming; fluctuations in the
availability of programming; fluctuations in demand for the programming Crown
Media airs on its channels; and other risks detailed in the Company's filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Risk Factors stated
in the Company's 10-Q Report for the quarter ended June 30, 2000. Crown Media
Holdings is not undertaking any obligation to release publicly any updates to
any forward looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date
of this release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
INVESTOR RELATIONS: U.S. MEDIA:
John Nesbett/Mary Ellen Adipietro Elissa Grabowski/Pamela Rigler
Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates
212-838-3777 212-838-3777
[email protected]/[email protected] [email protected]/[email protected]
-------------------------- --------------- ---------------
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA:
Sheila Morris/Georgia Scott
Morris Marketing Inc.
818-487-9300
[email protected]
