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March 3, 2011

Crown Media Holdings Announces Operating Results for Fourth Quarter of 2010

STUDIO CITY, Calif., Mar 03, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Crown Media Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRWN) today reported its operating results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2010.

Operating Highlights

  • Successful Holiday season. With the launch of "Countdown" holiday campaigns on Hallmark Channel and the introduction of holiday themed programming on Hallmark Movie Channel, we reached over 75 million viewers from mid-November through year-end. This success was in large part due to the popularity of our themed original holiday movies on Hallmark Channel, which was once again the number one destination for Prime Time on Saturday nights during the holiday period according to Nielsen.
  • Improvement for Hallmark Channel Home programming block. The Martha Stewart Show and the entire Hallmark Channel Home programming block showed significant ratings improvement during the holiday period, increasing 40% and 80%, respectively, for households and women 25-54 as compared to the first half of the quarter. Subsequent to the end of the quarter, we introduced Martha Bakes, Martha Stewart's first original series devoted entirely to baking, and Petkeeping with Marc Morrone, featuring engaging advice on all aspects of pet care.
  • Continued growth for Hallmark Movie Channel. Hallmark Movie Channel continues its steady increase in ratings, with December up 70% in terms of Nielsen household ratings as compared to the fourth quarter-to-date. We added 25% more subscribers during 2010 and had the largest year-to-year percentage increase among all 102 Nielsen-measured channels. Subsequent to the end of the year, we announced that Hallmark Movie Channel has 40 million subscribers.
  • Increase in advertising revenue. Advertising revenue increased by 13% for the fourth quarter as compared to 2009, signaling a solid quarter of gains attributable to the popularity of our Holiday season, the airing of 12 original movie premieres, the appeal of our new lifestyle programming block and The Martha Stewart Show, and the introduction this year of Hallmark Movie Channel as a Nielsen-rated network.
  • Growth in subscriber license fees. We have maintained strong negotiating positions with our distributors resulting in favorable terms in our agreements. As a result, subscriber license fees increased 34% for the quarter and 8% for the year as compared to 2009.
  • Positive financial results. Our success on the revenue side combined with diligent cost management enabled us to generate a 50% increase for the quarter and 14% for the year in Adjusted EBITDA as compared to the prior year periods. The recapitalization we completed earlier in the year also contributed to our ability to generate significant positive net income for the quarter, and for the first time, for the full year.

"Our solid quarter of results, with strong holiday seasons on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel, and continued development of the Hallmark Channel Home programming block, fueled advertising revenue gains and increased subscriber license fees," noted Bill Abbott, President and CEO of Crown Media. "These revenue gains and careful cost management have enabled us to realize our bottom-line financial objectives for both the quarter and the year.

"The strategic initiatives that we put into place this year, including differentiation of our channels, strong relationships with our distribution partners, and our recapitalization - have paved the way for these operating results. As we build on these initiatives, we believe that our efforts will continue to yield positive returns and position us for continued success in the future."

Financial Results

Historical financial information is provided in tables at the end of this release.

Operating Results

Crown Media reported revenue of $90.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2010, a 17% increase from $77.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2009. Subscriber fee revenue increased 34% to $22.0 million from $16.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2009 due to the execution in November 2010 of a distribution agreement with one multiple system operator and offset in part due to a lack of a distribution agreement with another operator. Advertising revenue increased 13% to $68.5 million during the quarter, from $60.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2009. The increase in advertising revenue during the fourth quarter of 2010 is primarily due to higher CPM rates offset by declines in viewer ratings across demographic categories for 2010 compared to 2009. Advertising revenue from the Hallmark Movie Channel increased from $3.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2009, to $6.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2010.

Crown Media reported revenue of $287.3 million for 2010, a 3% increase from $279.6 million for 2009. Subscriber fee revenue increased 8% to $68.8 million, from $63.6 million in the prior year. Subscriber revenue increased in 2010 primarily due to contractual rate increases and increases in Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel subscribers offset in part to the lack of a distribution agreement with one multiple system operator. Advertising revenue increased 2% to $218.2 million during 2010 from $214.5 million during 2009. Advertising revenue from the Hallmark Movie Channel increased from $10.5 million for 2009 to $18.7 million for 2010.

For the fourth quarter of 2010, cost of services decreased 6% to $38.1 million from $40.5 million during the same quarter of 2009. Within cost of services, programming expenses increased 7% quarter over quarter to $34.6 million. Other cost of services and amortization of our capital lease remained constant quarter over quarter.

During the fourth quarter of 2009, we exercised our rights to terminate two agreements in connection with our January 2010 launch of the Hallmark Channel in high definition. The costs of termination were approximately $4.7 million.

For 2010 cost of services decreased 7% to $137.2 million from $147.6 million during 2009. Within cost of services, programming expenses decreased 2% year over year to $125.2 million. Other cost of services and amortization of our capital lease decreased 23% from $15.3 million to $11.8 million for 2010. The Company's bad debt expense was $1.3 million for 2009, as compared to $183,000 for 2010. Salary expense also decreased primarily due to the resignation of one executive in May 2009.

Marketing expenses of $1.6 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2010, increased from $595,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2009. Marketing expenses of $10.2 million for 2010 increased from $6.6 million for 2009 due to the major advertising campaigns surrounding The Martha Stewart Show.

Income tax expense increased to $5.9 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2010, and to $8.8M for 2010. For tax purposes, the recapitalization generated net cancellation of debt income which is estimated at approximately $147.0 million. Accordingly, the Company is expected to generate federal and state taxable income for both regular tax and alternative minimum tax ("AMT") purposes. For regular tax purposes, this income will be fully offset by net operating loss carryforwards. However, for federal AMT purposes, loss carryforwards can be used against AMT income but are limited to 90% of AMT income. As a result, the Company has recorded an income tax expense of approximately $3.3 million for the estimated AMT in its consolidated statements of operations as it is not likely that any benefit of this AMT as a credit carryforward will be realized. Additionally, for state tax purposes the Company also has a tax expense. Effective October 2010, California has suspended the use of tax loss carryovers for 2010 and 2011. Also, the state of New York has an alternative minimum tax which allows only 90% of the tax loss carryforwards. The total federal and state tax provision is $8.8 million.

Adjusted EBITDA was $38.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2010 compared to $25.4 million for the same period last year. Cash provided by operating activities totaled $15.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2010 compared to $4.2 million for the same period last year. The net income to common shareholders for the quarter ended December 31, 2010, totaled $18.7 million, or $0.05 per share, compared to $373,000, or $0.00 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2009.

Adjusted EBITDA was $93.1 million for 2010 compared to $81.6 million for 2009. Cash provided by operating activities totaled $67.1 million for 2010 compared to $37.6 million for 2009. The net income to common shareholders for 2010 totaled $7.8 million, or $0.03 per share, compared to the net loss to common shareholders of $22.6 million, or $0.22 per share, for 2009.

Conference Call and Webcast to be Held Thursday, March 3rd at 11:00 a.m. ET

Crown Media Holdings' management will conduct a conference call today at 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time to discuss the results of the fourth quarter of 2010. Investors and interested parties may listen to the call via a live webcast accessible through the investor relations' section of the Company's web site at www.hallmarkchannel.com, or by dialing (866) 800-8648 (Domestic) or (617) 614-2702 (International) and using the pass code "Crown Media Fourth Quarter Earnings Call." For those listeners accessing the call through the Company's website, please register and download audio software at the site at least 15 minutes prior to the start time. The webcast will be archived on the site, while a telephone replay of the call is available for 7 days beginning at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Thursday,March 3rd, at 888-286-8010 (Domestic) or 617-801-6888 (International), using pass code number 78399557.

About Crown Media Holdings

Crown Media Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRWN) owns and operates cable television channels dedicated to high quality, broad appeal, entertainment programming. The Company currently operates and distributes Hallmark Channel in both high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) to over 87 million subscribers in the U.S. Hallmark Channel is the nation's leading network in providing quality family programming with an ambitious slate of original TV movies and general entertainment, and is the home of The Martha Stewart Show and other home and lifestyle content. Hallmark Channel's sibling network is Hallmark Movie Channel, also available in HD and SD, distributed to more than 40 million homes and one of America's fastest-growing cable networks. Hallmark Movie Channel provides family-friendly movies with a mix of classic theatrical films, presentations from the acclaimed Hallmark Hall of Fame library, original Hallmark Channel movies and special events.

Forward-looking Statements

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; our ability to address our liquidity needs; our incurrence of losses; our substantial indebtedness affecting our financial condition and results; and other risks detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Risk Factors stated in the Company's most recent 10-K and 10-Q Reports.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.

Use of Adjusted EBITDA

Crown Media evaluates operating performance based on several factors, including Adjusted EBITDA.Our calculation of Adjusted EBITDA adds back non-cash expenses and other items mentioned below.

Our measure of Adjusted EBITDA differs from the normal definition of EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) used by most companies. We define Adjusted EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, subscriber acquisition fee amortization, and other non-cash expenses. For this purpose, restricted stock unit compensation is treated as a non-cash item, although it may result in cash payments during subsequent periods.See "Selected Unaudited Financial Information" below for a reconciliation to GAAP net income. Management views Adjusted EBITDA as a critical measure of our operating performance and monitors this measure closely. We disclose Adjusted EBITDA so that our investors can have some of the same information available to our management to evaluate their investment in our Company.

We also believe that an Adjusted EBITDA provides an indication of the Company's ability to generate cash flows from operating activities since our non-cash expenses are excluded from our calculation of Adjusted EBITDA.The Adjusted EBITDA calculation allows the Company to assess how much is available to pay debt service and gives a further indication of how much remains to fund discretionary expenditures such as the acquisition of programming or additional subscriber base. However, Adjusted EBITDA should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, historical operating income or loss, net loss, cash flow from operations and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

Adjusted EBITDA differs significantly from cash flows from operating activities reflected in the consolidated statement of cash flows. Cash flow from operating activities is net of interest and taxes paid and is a more comprehensive determination of periodic income on a cash basis, exclusive of non-cash items of income and expenses such as depreciation and amortization. In contrast, Adjusted EBITDA is derived from accrual basis income and is not reduced for cash invested in working capital. Consequently, Adjusted EBITDA is not affected by the timing of receivable collections or when accrued expenses are paid. We are not aware of any uniform standards for determining EBITDA or our Adjusted EBITDA and believe that our calculation of Adjusted EBITDA is probably calculated differently than presentations of EBITDA by other entities because our calculation was based upon the definition in a bank credit agreement.

 
Crown Media Holdings, Inc.
Unaudited Consolidated Income Statement Information


(In thousands, except per share data)
                               
        Three Months Ended December 31,         Year Ended December 31,
        2010     2009         2010     2009
Revenues:                            
  Subscriber fees    

$ 		21,980       $ 16,444          

$ 		68,819       $ 63,597  
  Advertising       68,229         60,593             217,656        

213,770 		 
  Advertising by Hallmark Cards       288         250             496         775  
  Other revenue       168        

324 		           

301 		        1,422  
Total revenue      

90,665 		        77,611             287,272         279,564  
Cost of services:                            
  Affiliate programming      

654 		        321             1,928         1,235  
  Non-affiliate programming       33,978         32,011             123,321         126,293  
  Amortization of capital lease       290         290             1,158         1,158  
 

Contract termination 		      -         4,718             103         4,718  
  Other cost of services       3,137         3,138             10,668        

14,175 		 
Total cost of services       38,059        

40,478 		           

137,178 		        147,579  
Selling, general and administrative expenses      

13,743 		        12,069             50,324         47,069  
Marketing expense       1,601         595             10,152         6,551  
Depreciation and amortization       346         485             1,459        

1,947 		 
(Gain) loss from sale of film assets       (874 )       (682 )           (719 )       (682 )
Income from operations before interest                            
and income tax expense       37,790         24,666             88,878        

77,100 		 
Interest expense       (2,408 )       (25,140 )           (55,987 )       (100,539 )
Income (loss) from operations before income tax expense       35,382         (474 )           32,891         (23,439 )
Income tax expense       (5,913 )       -             (8,810 )       -  
Income (loss) before discontinued operations       29,469         (474 )           24,081         (23,439 )
Gain (loss) from sale of discontinued operations       -         847             -        

847 		 
Net income (loss)       29,469        

373 		           

24,081 		        (22,592

)
Imputed preferred stock dividends from                            
  amortization of discount on preferred stock       (7,074 )       -             (13,934 )       -  
Participation in net income by holders of                            
  preferred stock on an "as if converted" basis       (3,703 )       -             (2,363 )       -  
Net income (loss) to common stockholders     $ 18,692       $ 373           $ 7,784       $ (22,592 )
Net income (loss) per share - basic     $ 0.05       $

0.00 		          $ 0.03       $

(0.22 		)
Net income (loss) per share - diluted     $ 0.05       $ 0.00           $ 0.03       $ (0.22 )
Weighted average shares outstanding      

359,676 		        104,788             234,676         104,788  
                                             
 
Crown Media Holdings, Inc.
Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
             
      As of December 31,     As of December 31,
      2010     2009
             
ASSETS            
             


Cash and cash equivalents

    $

30,565 		    $ 10,456
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful            
accounts of $141 and $476, respectively       77,684       68,817
Program license fees      

99,574 		      106,825
Prepaid program license fees       4,099       1,778
Prepaid and other assets       2,367       2,271
Total current assets       214,289       190,147
Program license fees      

136,503 		      178,332
Property and equipment, net       12,701       13,176
Goodwill       314,033       314,033
Prepaid and other assets       1,008       2,373
Total assets     $ 678,534     $ 698,061
                 
             
      As of December 31,     As of December 31,
      2010     2009
             
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT            
             


LIABILITIES 		           
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities     $

27,835 		      $ 19,642  
Audience deficiency reserve       26,954         17,872  
License fees payable       104,286         99,494  
Payables to Hallmark Cards affiliates       1,005         23,745  
Credit facility and interest payable       -         1,002  
Notes and interest payable to HC Crown       38,174         345,314  
Company obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred interest       -         22,902  
Total current liabilities       198,254         529,971  
Accrued liabilities       18,972         24,484  
License fees payable       33,818         82,881  
Notes payable to HC Crown       379,521         -  
Senior unsecured note to HC Crown, including accrued interest       -         758,755  
Total liabilities       630,565         1,396,091  
             
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES            
             
REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK, $0.01 par value;            
1,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding shares            


of 185,000 and 0 as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, 		           
respectively       198,934         0  
             
STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT            
Class A common stock, $.01 par value; 500,000,000 and            
200,000,000 shares authorized; 359,675,936 and            
74,117,654 shares issued and outstanding as of            


December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively 		      3,597         741  


Class B common stock, $.01 par value; 120,000,000 shares 		           
authorized; 0 and 30,670,422 shares issued and outstanding            
as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively       -         307  
Paid-in capital       1,991,157         1,456,788  
Accumulated deficit       (2,145,719 )      

(2,155,866 		)
Total stockholders' deficit       (150,965 )       (698,030 )
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit     $ 678,534       $ 698,061  
                     
 
Crown Media Holdings, Inc.
Selected Unaudited Financial Information


(in thousands)
                         
                         
      Three Months Ended December 31,         Year Ended December 31,
        2010       2009             2010       2009  
                         
Net income (loss)   $ 29,469    

$ 		373           $ 24,081     $ (22,592 )
 

(Gain) loss on sale of discontinued operations 		    -       (847 )           -       (847 )
  (Gain) loss on sale of film assets     (874 )    

(682 		)           (719 )     (682 )
  Subscriber acquisition fee amortization expense     488       652             2,025       2,605  
  Depreciation and amortization     636       775             2,617      

3,105 		 
  Interest expense     2,408       25,140             55,987       100,539  
  Income tax expense     5,913       -             8,810      

- 		 
  Restricted stock unit compensation (benefit)     91       34             324       (516 )
Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation                      
  and amortization   $ 38,131     $ 25,445           $ 93,125     $ 81,612  
                         
  Programming and other amortization     29,064      

32,234 		           

118,732 		      127,270  
  Provision for allowance for doubtful account     139       175             183       1,303  
  Changes in operating assets and liabilities:                      
  Change to program license fees     (27,514 )    

(12,713 		)           (69,460 )     (92,542 )
  Change in license fees payable     41       (36,338 )          

(44,272 		)     (58,713 )
  Change to subscriber acquisition fees     (604 )    

- 		           

(1,354 		)     (1,000 )
  Change in subscriber acquisition fees payable     604       -             142       (500 )
  Change in amounts payable under tax sharing agreement     (12,890 )     -             (12,890 )     -  
  Interest paid     (1,926 )     (342 )           (17,005 )     (22,364 )
  Changes in other operating assets and                      
 

liabilities, net of adjustments above 		    (9,449 )     (4,262 )           (90 )     2,500  
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities   $ 15,596    

$ 		4,199           $ 67,111     $ 37,566  
                       
 
Crown Media Holdings, Inc.
Selected Unaudited Cash Flow Statement Information
(in thousands)
                       
    Three Months Ended December 31,         Year Ended December 31,
      2010       2009             2010       2009  
                       
Net cash provided by operating activities   $

15,596 		    $ 4,199           $

67,111 		    $ 37,566  
Net cash used in investing activities    

(632 		)     (381 )          

(2,047 		)     (1,443 )
Net cash used in financing activities     (20,549 )     (1,721 )          

(44,955 		)     (28,381 )
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents     (5,585 )     2,097             20,109       7,742  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period     36,150       8,359             10,456       2,714  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period   $ 30,565     $ 10,456           $

30,565 		    $ 10,456  
                       

SOURCE: Crown Media Holdings, Inc. 

Investors and Press
IR Focus
Mindy Tucker, 914-725-8128
mindy@irfocusllc.com
or
Crown Media
Annie Howell, 212-445-6690
anniehowell@hallmarkchannel.com

 


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