Published: March 16, 2010
Hallmark Channel Acquires Exclusive License to Domestic Television Rights to Extensive Lifestyle Content from Library of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia
NEW YORK - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Hallmark Channel has acquired an exclusive license for domestic
television rights to extensive lifestyle programming from the library of
Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. (MSLO) (NYSE: MSO). The content
will form a new seven-hour daytime block of home and lifestyle
programming that the network will launch weekdays beginning Monday,
March 29, and will precede the September premiere on Hallmark
Channel of exclusive original episodes of the Emmy Award-winning,
popular daytime home and lifestyle series "The Martha Stewart Show."
Announcement of the deal, which underscores the network's commitment to
the lifestyle genre generally and the Martha Stewart brand in
particular, was made today by Bill Abbott, President and CEO, Hallmark
Channels (Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel), and Charles A.
Koppelman, Executive Chairman of MSLO. Hallmark Channel is a cable
television network owned and operated by Crown Media Holdings, Inc.
(NASDAQ: CRWN).
Beginning March 29 (11 a.m. - 6 p.m. ET/PT),
Hallmark Channel's lineup will include episodes from the library
programs "From Martha's Kitchen," "From Martha's Home" and "From
Martha's Garden." Other titles in the library, but not yet scheduled,
are "Petkeeping with Marc Morrone," early seasons of "Everyday Food,"
"Martha Stewart Living" and assorted specials. Episodes of the series
will also be presented in shorter blocks on Saturdays
and Sundays (6
a.m. - 9 a.m. ET/PT) beginning April 3-4.
Hallmark Channel's prime time and weekend schedule will continue to
feature its strong slate of popular Hallmark Channel Original Movies
starring favorite stars of film and television, as well as specials,
"Hallmark Hall of Fame" presentations and beloved acquired series.
"In addition to being genuinely informative and entertaining, this
daytime programming block will showcase the diverse creativity that has
long defined the Martha Stewart brand," said Abbott. "As we evolve our
daytime lineup into a lifestyle and home orientation, this timeless
content will serve as the ideal launch pad for and the perfect segue
into the premiere of 'The Martha Stewart Show' in its new home on
Hallmark Channel."
Koppelman stated: "This new arrangement provides an ideal home for our
evergreen and ever popular library of Martha Stewart-branded how-to
television programming. The agreement underscores the value of MSLO's
library that has been developed over these years. The library includes
many popular classics featuring Martha and MSLO's talented experts that
our loyal fans as well as newcomers will be delighted to find with this
additional programming block on Hallmark Channel."
Hallmark Channel, owned and operated by Crown Media Holdings,
Inc. (NASDAQ: CRWN), is a 24-hour basic cable network that provides a
diverse slate of high-quality entertainment programming available in
high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) to a national audience
of nearly 90 million subscribers. The top tier program service is
distributed through more than 5,450 cable systems and communities as
well as direct-to-home satellite services across the country. Hallmark
Channel consistently ranks among the highest-rated cable networks and is
the nation's leading network in providing quality family programming.
Hallmark Channel's sibling network is Hallmark Movie Channel, also
available in HD and SD, which focuses on the greatest family movies of
all time and is currently distributed to 33 million households. For more
information, please visit www.hallmarkchannelpress.com.
Become a fan of Hallmark Channel on Facebook
and Twitter.
For the latest news of celebrities doing good, www.CelebrityGoodLife.com.
Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. (NYSE: MSO) is a
diversified media and merchandising company, inspiring and engaging
consumers with unique lifestyle content and distinctive products. The
Publishing segment encompasses four magazines, including the company's
flagship publication, Martha Stewart Living, periodic special
issues and books. The marthastewart.com website provides consumers with
instant access to MSLO's multimedia library, search and find
capabilities, recipes, online workshops, community and personalization,
as well as wedding-planning tools powered by WeddingWire and digital
invitations with pingg.com. The Broadcasting segment produces such
programming as the Emmy-winning daily, nationally syndicated television
series, "The Martha Stewart Show," and Martha Stewart Living Radio
on SIRIUS channel 112 and XM Radio 157. In addition to its media
properties, MSLO offers high-quality Martha Stewart products through
licensing agreements with carefully selected companies, including the Martha
Stewart Collection exclusively at Macy's, the Martha Stewart
Living line of home-improvement products at The Home Depot, Martha
Stewart Crafts with EK Success at Michaels and independent
retailers, Martha Stewart for 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, the forthcoming Martha
Stewart Pets line at PetSmart and more. In 2008, Emeril Lagasse
joined the Martha Stewart family of brands; MSLO acquired the assets
related to Lagasse's media and merchandising business, including
television programming, cookbooks, and emerils.com website and his
licensed kitchen and food products. For additional information about
MSLO, visit http://www.marthastewart.com/.
Become a fan of Martha Stewart on Facebook: www.facebook.com/MarthaStewartLiving
Follow Martha Stewart on Twitter: www.twitter.com/MarthaStewart
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6216606&lang=en

Hallmark Channel
Mark J. Kern, 818-755-2626
mkern@hallmarkchannel.com
Nancy
Carr, 818-755-2643
ncarr@hallmarkchannel.com
or
FerenComm
for MSLO
Sheila Feren, 212-983-9898
sheilaf@ferencomm.com
or
MSLO
Elizabeth
Estroff, 212-827-8281
eestroff@marthastewart.com
Media
and Analysts:
Katherine Nash, 212-827-8722
knash@marthastewart.com
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