Brian Stewart Named Chief Financial Officer of Crown Media Holdings

Crown Media Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRWN), owner and operator of Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel, today announced that it has appointed Brian Stewart as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, effective immediately. Mr. Stewart, 42, who was formerly Senior Vice President of Finance for Crown Media U.S., has served as interim Chief Financial Officer since the departure of his predecessor on September 30th. "Having been associated with Crown Media for more than seven years,” noted Henry Schleiff, President and Chief Executive Officer, "Brian brings an invaluable depth of experience and knowledge to this position. I am delighted to be making such a deserving promotion. Brian’s appointment will ensure a smooth transition, and he is the ideal individual to help us drive the Company to profitability.” Beginning in 2000, Mr. Stewart has held a number of finance positions since the Company’s inception and played a key role in the Company’s initial public offering of common stock in 2001. Prior to joining Crown Media, Mr. Stewart held strategic financial positions with several companies including Hallmark Entertainment, Inc., Univision Communications and Hallmark Cards. Mr. Stewart earned a M.B.A. from the University of Chicago and B.S. from the University of Kansas. 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 the U.S. to 75 million subscribers. The program service is distributed through more than 5,300 cable systems and communities as well as direct-to-home satellite services across the country. Hallmark Channel consistently ranks among the top ten ad-supported cable networks in Total Day and Prime Time household ratings. Crown Media also operates a second 24-hour linear channel, Hallmark Movie Channel. Significant investors in Crown Media Holdings include: Hallmark Entertainment Holdings, Inc., a subsidiary of Hallmark Cards, Incorporated, Liberty Media Corp., and J.P. Morgan Partners (BHCA), LP, each through their investments in Hallmark Entertainment Investments Co.; VISN Management Corp., a for-profit subsidiary of the National Interfaith Cable Coalition; and The DIRECTV Group, Inc. 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; 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 three months ended March 31, 2006. 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.