Crown Media Holdings Announces Operating Results for Second Quarter of 2015

STUDIO CITY, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Crown Media Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRWN) today reported its operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015.

Operating Highlights

• Double-digit advertising revenue growth. Second quarter advertising revenue grew 18% over the same period a year ago, driving 26% growth in Adjusted EBITDA.
• Hallmark Channel focused on seasonal programming.In second quarter 2015, the network hosted two programming events,The Heart of Mother’s Day and June Weddings. The events featured new original movie premieres, including Crown Media Productions’ A Country Wedding, which garnered a 2.1 household rating and became the most-watched June premiere among households (1.8 million) and total viewers (2.2 million) in network history.
• When Calls the Heart’s sophomore season again captivated viewers. The second season of the original scripted series When Calls the Heart culminated on a high note, averaging a 1.6 household ratings and propelling Hallmark Channel to the #1 rated and most watched cable network on Saturday’s 8 p.m. time period.
• Hallmark Movies & Mysteries’ continued to grow in double digits across all demographics. In second quarter 2015 the network was up 54% among households and 89% among 25 to 54 compared to the same period a year ago. The growth was primarily led by the success of character-driven movie mysteries such as Murder She Baked: A Chocolate Chip Cookie Mystery, the highest rated and most watched Hallmark Movies & Mysteries original movie premiere in network history with a 1.6 household rating and 1.1 million total viewers.
• 2015 Refinancing. The Company closed on its $425 million of senior secured credit facilities consisting of (i) a five year $325 million term loan facility and (ii) a five year $100 million revolving credit facility. Proceeds were used to pay off the 2011 term loan in June and redeem the 2019 notes in July.
• Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries launched on AT&T. Commencing on July 23, 2015 the Company and AT&T launched Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries on AT&T U-verse TV; again making the channels available to U-verse subscribers.

“The strength of our original movies and series, the . . .