News Broadcasting
Hallmark, Comcast sign agreement for carriage
GREENWOOD VILLAGE: 11/05/2003 — Hallmark Channel, and Comcast Cable announced on 5 November that they had reached an agreement providing for additional carriage opportunities for the family-friendly entertainment channel on Comcast systems.
Hallmark Channel is owned and operated by Crown Media Holdings, Inc. Additional terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Since its launch in August of 2001, Hallmark Channel ratings have grown 150 per cent in Total Day and 40 per cent in Prime Time, while Total Day and Prime Time HH impressions have grown 247 per cent and 104 per cent, respectively. In addition, original production on the network in 2003 has delivered six of the top 30 original premieres on basic cable.
“Over the past year, in particular, customer acceptance of Hallmark Channel’s unique value proposition has resulted in our top ratings and household delivery growth,” said Crown Media Holdings, Inc., and Hallmark Channel COO and executive VP Paul A. FitzPatrick. “Our distribution and advertising sales performance — at both the national and local level — is clearly resonating with all of our customers, including subscribers and local advertisers. We are delighted to have the support of an industry leader like Comcast, and look forward to building upon our relationship with them,” he added.
Added Comcast Vice President of Programming Jennifer Gaiski, “Hallmark Channel offers quality, relevant, and contemporary programming that adds value to our service. We’re pleased to work with Hallmark Channel to bring its distinguished programs to our customers.”
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Kolkata Town Hall on Hooghly River
‘Bhalobasa Bengal Inspiring Bharat’ event on April 20 brings cultural icons, trailblazing women and leaders aboard a cruise to celebrate Bengal’s enduring influence.
MUMBAI: Bengal is about to make fresh waves on the Hooghly and this time the current is pure conversation. CNN-News18 is taking its iconic Town Hall format to the waters of the iconic Hooghly River on 20 April 2026 with a special edition titled ‘Bhalobasa Bengal – Inspiring Bharat’. The floating event will celebrate the state’s rich cultural legacy and how its ideas, creativity and spirit continue to shape the rest of the country.
The unique riverside setting draws on Bengal’s history as a cradle of reform, art and intellectual thought. The speaker line-up mirrors that diversity: cultural heavyweights Mithun Chakraborty and Sreenanda Shankar will share the stage with trailblazing “Devis” such as Tanya Sanyal (India’s first woman firefighter in aviation), Ipsita Chakraborty (Kolkata’s first woman bartender) and Reshma Nilofer Visalakshi (Nari Shakti awardee and marine pilot). Music will flow through the celebrated pianist-vocalist duo Sourendro and Soumyojit, while public life and governance will be represented by Smriti Irani, Leander Paes, Saira Shah Halim, Keya Ghosh, Rekha Patra, Roopa Ganguly and Babul Supriyo.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director, Rahul Shivshankar, said the event honours voices that carry Bengal’s legacy forward. Smriti Mehra, CEO – English & Business News, Network18, added that Bengal’s stories resonate far beyond its borders, especially as the state heads into polls.
From the first woman to battle flames in the skies to legendary actors who shaped Indian cinema, the gathering promises a rich mix of inspiration, courage and candid dialogue. In a city where culture has always flowed as freely as the river itself, CNN-News18 is turning the Hooghly into a floating forum for ideas that matter.
Tune in on 20 April on CNN-News18, CTV and YouTube to catch Bengal’s heartbeat in full flow.
