Crown Media 10-K 20 Feb 15 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Feb. 18, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	CROWN MEDIA HOLDINGS INC
Entity Central Index Key	1103837
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-14
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$125,926,878
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		359,675,936
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$60,888	$63,750
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $834 and $265, respectively	118,277	104,613
Programming rights	85,950	71,540
Prepaid programming rights	33,844	26,839
Deferred tax assets, net	46,900	39,100
Prepaid and other assets	3,459	1,960
Total current assets	349,318	307,802
Programming rights	221,664	201,936
Prepaid programming rights	5,938	9,805
Property and equipment, net	10,763	9,799
Deferred tax assets, net	147,468	181,164
Debt issuance costs, net	7,878	10,047
Prepaid and other assets	5,051	3,644
Goodwill	314,033	314,033
Total assets	1,062,113	1,038,230
LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	29,588	22,238
Audience deficiency reserve liability	5,926	4,888
Programming rights payable	66,726	85,560
Payables to Hallmark Cards affiliates	150	466
Interest payable	13,079	14,455
Current maturities of long-term debt	20,000	25,000
Total current liabilities	135,469	152,607
Accrued liabilities	17,629	13,838
Programming rights payable	45,676	43,314
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	369,701	429,330
Total liabilities	568,475	639,089
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Class A common stock, $.01 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized; 359,675,936 shares issued and outstanding as of both December 31, 2013 and 2014	3,597	3,597
Paid-in capital	2,062,818	2,062,818
Accumulated deficit	-1,572,777	-1,667,274
Total stockholders' equity	493,638	399,141
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$1,062,113	$1,038,230

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts (in dollars)	$265	$834
Class A common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Class A common stock, shares authorized	500,000,000	500,000,000
Class A common stock, shares issued	359,675,936	359,675,936
Class A common stock, shares outstanding	359,675,936	359,675,936

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_OPE

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenue:
Advertising	$323,033	$291,710	$268,252
Advertising by Hallmark Cards	4,658	3,095	2,990
Subscriber fees	82,903	81,818	78,005
Other revenue (including $161, $0 and $900 from Hallmark Cards for 2012, 2013 and 2014)	5,002	1,178	623
Total revenue, net	415,596	377,801	349,870
Programming costs
Non-affiliates	144,645	130,572	131,186
Hallmark Cards affiliate	3,951	3,429	3,363
Amortization of capital lease	1,158	1,158	1,158
Other costs of services	15,375	13,990	12,546
Total cost of services	165,129	149,149	148,253
Selling, general and administrative expense (exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense shown separately below)	68,570	63,438	59,156
Marketing expense	12,436	11,544	10,179
Depreciation and amortization expense	2,468	1,850	1,477
Gain from extinguishment		-121
Income from operations before interest, income tax expense and discontinued operations	166,993	151,941	130,805
Interest income	303
Interest expense	-39,566	-42,577	-46,056
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	3,668
Income before income tax expense and discontinued operations	124,062	109,364	84,749
Income tax benefit (expense)	-28,936	-41,649	22,604
Income from continuing operations	95,126	67,715	107,353
Loss from sale of discontinued operations, net of tax	-629
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$94,497	$67,715	$107,353
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, basic and diluted (in shares)	359,676	359,676	359,676
Income per share from operations, basic and diluted	$0.26	$0.19	$0.30
Loss from sale of discontinued operations, basic and diluted	$0	$0	$0
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, Total	$0.26	$0.19	$0.30

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_OPE1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Other revenue from Hallmark Cards	$900	$0	$161

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_STO

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $)	Class A Common Stock	Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Deficit	Total
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Balances at Dec. 31, 2011	$3,597	$2,082,241	($1,842,342)	$243,496
Balances (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011	359,676,000
Increase (decrease) in Redeemable Preferred Stock Shares
Reduction of additional paid-in capital for obligation under tax sharing agreement		-19,490		-19,490
Net income			107,353	107,353
Balances at Dec. 31, 2012	3,597	2,062,751	-1,734,989	331,359
Balances (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	359,676,000
Increase (decrease) in Redeemable Preferred Stock Shares
Additional paid-in capital from refund under tax sharing agreement		67		67
Net income			67,715	67,715
Balances at Dec. 31, 2013	3,597	2,062,818	-1,667,274	399,141
Balances (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	359,676,000			359,675,936
Increase (decrease) in Redeemable Preferred Stock Shares
Net income			94,497	94,497
Balances at Dec. 31, 2014	$3,597	$2,062,818	($1,572,777)	$493,638
Balances (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014	359,676,000			359,675,936

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$94,497	$67,715	$107,353
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Gain from extinguishment of indemnification		-121
Loss from sale of discontinued operations	629
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	3,668
Depreciation and amortization	155,288	139,879	133,171
Provision for allowance for doubtful accounts	187	875	39
Gain on sale of property and equipment	-10	-12
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense	26,081	39,562	-22,604
Non-cash compensation	36	242	237
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Increase in accounts receivable	-13,851	-13,426	-8,303
Additions to programming rights	-182,733	-146,560	-131,964
Increase in prepaid and other assets	-7,971	-10,011	-25,479
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable, accrued and other liabilities	11,338	-6,061	5,722
Decrease in interest payable	-1,376	-14	-2,831
Decrease in amounts payable to Hallmark Cards affiliates	-1	-2,156	-23,628
Decrease in programming rights payable	-16,472	-12,334	-1,033
Net cash provided by operating activities	69,310	57,578	30,680
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property and equipment	-2,729	-1,530	-1,376
Disposal of property and equipment	10	19
Net cash used in investing activities	-2,719	-1,511	-1,376
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Principal payments on the Term Loan	-36,503	-33,210	-19,600
Redemption of Notes	-31,637
Capitalized debt issuance costs		-1,116
Discount on issuance of debt		-430
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	-1,313	-1,266	-1,180
Net cash used in financing activities	-69,453	-36,022	-20,780
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-2,862	20,045	8,524
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	63,750	43,705	35,181
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	60,888	63,750	43,705
Supplemental disclosure of cash and non-cash activities:
Interest paid	38,464	40,414	46,909
Taxes paid	2,977	2,761	548
Reduction of additional paid-in capital for obligation for tax transactions			19,490
Additional paid-in capital for tax transactions		-67
Assets acquired through capital lease obligations	21		25
Capital expenditures included in accounts payable	$968	$396	$111

Business_and_Organization

Business and Organization	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Business and Organization
Business and Organization	1. Business and Organization
	Crown Media Holdings, Inc. ("Crown Media Holdings" or the "Company"), through its wholly-owned subsidiary Crown Media United States, LLC ("Crown Media United States") owns and operates pay television networks dedicated to high quality, entertainment programming for adults and families in the United States. Majority ownership of the Company is held by Hallmark Cards, Incorporated ("Hallmark Cards") through its subsidiaries H C Crown, LLC ("HCC") and Hallmark Cards GmbH.
	The Company's continuing operations are currently organized into one operating segment, the Networks.
	On July 14, 2011 the Company used the proceeds from a new $210.0 million senior secured term loan (the "Term Loan") and $300.0 million of senior unsecured notes (the "Notes") to repay the Term A Loan and the Term B Loan and redeem all of the outstanding Preferred Stock (collectively, the "2011 Refinancing"). Additionally, on March 29, 2013, the Term Loan was amended to provide, among other things, a reduced borrowing rate. All of these instruments are described further below.

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates	2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Crown Media Holdings and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events. These estimates and the underlying assumptions affect the amounts of assets and liabilities reported, disclosures about contingent assets and liabilities, and reported amounts of revenue and expenses. Such estimates include the collectibility of accounts receivable, the valuation of goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets, the net realizable value of programming rights, legal contingencies, indemnifications, barter transactions, audience deficiency reserve obligations and assumptions used in the calculation of income taxes and related valuation allowance, among others.
	All of the estimates that are employed are based on management's best estimates and judgment. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, which management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Management adjusts such estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from these estimates. Changes, if any, in those estimates resulting from continuing changes in the economic environment will be reflected in the financial statements in future periods.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Cash and cash equivalents include highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less that are readily convertible into cash and are not subject to significant risk from fluctuations in interest rates. As a result, the carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value.
	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	The allowance for doubtful accounts is based upon the Company's assessment of probable loss related to uncollectible accounts receivable. The Company uses a number of factors in determining the allowance, including, among other things, the financial condition of specific customers and collection trends.
	The activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts for each of the three years ended December 31, 2012, 2013, and 2014, is as follows (in thousands):
		Balance at		Additions		(Deductions) /			Balance at
		Beginning of		Charged to		Additions			End of Year
		Year		Expense
	Allowance for doubtful accounts
	Year-ended December 31, 2012	$	181	$	39	$	25		$	245
	Year-ended December 31, 2013	$	245	$	875	$	(286	)	$	834
	Year-ended December 31, 2014	$	834	$	187	$	(756	)	$	265
	Programming Rights
	Programming rights usually comprise feature films, series, shows, and other broadcastable productions that make up a broadcaster's television schedules. Individual rights on which these parts of programming assets are based are also referred to as film rights. Film rights comprise the rights associated with a film or program that a television broadcaster must hold in order to exploit it on the market. Such film rights are usually acquired in the form of a film or television licensing agreement, for example with license sellers, or in the form of production agreements with producers. Among other things, a licensing agreement stipulates the type and amount of the license fee, the broadcast area, broadcast time, number of broadcasts, and the form of exploitation.
	The Company's programming rights principally consist of rights to off-network, theatrical and original movies; off-network and original scripted series; original unscripted series and specials. Original series and specials consist of lifestyle, dramatic and other entertainment programming. Programming aired on the Company's television Networks is primarily obtained from third-party production companies and distributors and is classified as acquired or original programming in the footnotes to these financial statements. Programming aired on the Company's television Networks obtained from subsidiaries of Hallmark Cards is classified as affiliate programming. See note 4 below for programming rights assets and payable related to Hallmark Cards.
	Acquired programming consists of series, films and specials that have been previously produced and have often been previously exhibited by third parties for which the Company licenses limited broadcast rights for a specific time period. The licensed exhibitions can vary from a single broadcast to multiple broadcasts over several years, and the license typically requires payments during the term of the license. The cost of acquired programming is capitalized when the license period begins and the program is available for use. Original programming consists of movies, series and specials that are specifically produced for the Company's television Networks. The Company often funds the production of original programs; this production funding is classified as prepaid programming rights until production is completed and the program is available for use.
	Capitalized programming costs are stated at the lower of cost less accumulated amortization or net realizable value (fair value for owned programming). Amortization of licensed programming rights is recognized over the contractual term on a straight-line basis or the estimated useful life, if shorter. Amortization of the capitalized costs of licensed programming commences when the license period begins and the program is available for use. The portion of the unamortized programming rights that will be amortized within one year is classified as current programming rights on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
	The Company periodically evaluates the net realizable value of its licensed programming rights by considering expected future revenue generation. Estimates of future revenue consider historical airing patterns and future plans for airing programming, including any changes in strategy. Estimated future revenue may differ from actual revenue based on changes in expectations related to market acceptance, advertising demand, the number of cable and satellite television subscribers receiving the Company's Networks, program usage and actual performance of the Company's programming. Accordingly, the Company continually reviews revenue estimates and planned usage and revises its assumptions if necessary. Given the significant estimates and judgments involved, actual demand or market conditions may be less favorable than those projected, requiring a write-down to net realizable value.
	Certain original programs are fully owned and produced by the Company. Therefore, these are classified as owned programming. Amortization of the capitalized costs of owned programming is amortized over the expected and likely broadcasts of the program. The Company's unamortized owned programming of $8.1 million is classified as long-term programming rights on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification (the "ASC") Topic 926, Entertainment—Films.
	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment is stated at historical cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. Equipment under capital leases is initially recorded at the present value of the respective minimum lease payments.
	Depreciation on equipment is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Equipment held under capital leases and leasehold improvements are amortized straight-line over the shorter of the lease term or estimated useful life of the asset.
	When property and equipment is sold or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation or amortization are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is included in the results of operations. The costs of normal maintenance and repairs are charged to expense when incurred.
	Long-Lived Assets and Goodwill
	The Company reviews long-lived assets, other than goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives, for impairment whenever facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of the assets may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is evaluated by comparing the carrying amount of an asset to the estimated undiscounted future net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset including its ultimate disposal. If the asset's carrying value was estimated to be not recoverable from future cash flows, an impairment charge would be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value. The Company estimates fair values by using a combination of comparable market values and discounted cash flows, as appropriate.
	In September 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2011-08, Testing for Goodwill Impairment (Topic 350), (ASU 2011-08). ASU 2011-08 allows entities to first assess qualitatively whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. If an entity believes, as a result of its qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the quantitative two-step goodwill impairment test is required. An entity has the unconditional option to bypass the qualitative assessment and proceed directly to performing the first step of the goodwill impairment test.
	Goodwill is reviewed for impairment annually as of November 30 and whenever the occurrence of an event or a change in circumstances would suggest that the carrying value of goodwill might be in excess of its fair value. All of the Company's goodwill relates to the Company's Networks, which is also the Company's only reporting unit. At November 30, 2014, the date of the Company's most recent assessment, the Company concluded it was not more likely than not that the fair value of the its sole reporting unit was less than the related carrying amount.
	Legal Costs and Contingencies
	In the normal course of business, the Company incurs costs to hire and retain external legal counsel to advise it on regulatory, litigation and other matters. The Company expenses these costs as the related services are received.
	If a loss is considered probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated, the Company recognizes an expense for the estimated loss. If the Company has the potential to recover a portion of the estimated loss from a third party, the Company makes a separate assessment of recoverability and reduces the estimated loss if recovery is also deemed probable.
	Leases
	The Company recognizes rent expense on a straight line basis over the lease term.
	Assets subject to capital leases are capitalized as property and equipment at the inception of the lease and depreciated over the shorter of the lease term or their estimated useful lives. The related liabilities are included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
	Barter Transactions
	The Company enters into transactions that involve the exchange of its on-air advertising spots, in part, for other products and services, such as programming rights. Programming rights and the related deferred advertising revenue that result from such transactions are recognized at the estimated fair value when the programming is available for telecast. Barter programming rights are amortized in the same manner as non-barter programming rights and advertising revenue is recognized when delivered. The Company recognized $794,000, $2.4 million and $2.8 million in barter advertising revenue during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively. The Company recognized $884,000, $2.2 million and $3.0 million in barter expense during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, provides guidance which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and specifies disclosures about fair value measurements. We determine fair value as an exit price, representing the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants.
	The Company does not have balance sheet items measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Significant balance sheet items which are subject to non-recurring fair value measurements consist of impairment valuations of goodwill, promotion and placement fees, property and equipment and owned programming.
	Revenue Recognition
	Subscriber revenue from pay television distributors is recognized as revenue when an agreement is executed, programming is provided, the price is fixed and determinable, and collectibility is reasonably assured. Subscriber fees from pay television distributors are recorded net of amortization of promotion and placement costs.
	Advertising revenue, net of agency commissions, is recognized in the period in which related commercial spots or long form programming are aired. If the ratings guarantees associated with the programming in which the advertising appears are not achieved, recognition of a portion of the revenue from the advertising is deferred until the guarantees are satisfied by providing the advertisers with additional advertising time. Agency commissions are calculated based on a stated percentage applied to gross billing revenue for the Company's broadcasting operations. Customers remit the gross billing amount to their respective agencies, after which each agency remits the amount collected less its commission to the Company.
	Payments received in advance of being earned are recorded as deferred revenue. Included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, is $699,000 and $2.9 million, respectively, of deferred revenue. Further, $0 and $5.9 million, respectively, are included in the long term portion of accrued liabilities as of December 31, 2013 and 2014.
	Revenues from the licensing of television programming are recorded when the content is available for telecast by the licensee and when certain other conditions are met.
	Audience Deficiency Unit Liability
	Audience deficiency units ("ADUs") are units of inventory (rights to utilize future advertising timeframes) that are made available to advertisers as fulfillment for past advertisements in programs that under-delivered on the guaranteed viewership ratings. The related liability results when impressions delivered on guaranteed ratings are less than the impressions guaranteed to advertisers. The liability is reduced and revenue is recognized when the Company airs the advertisement during another program to "make-good" on the under-delivery of impressions or the obligation expires contractually or by statute.
	Marketing Expense
	The Company expenses marketing costs as incurred.
	Taxes on Income
	Income tax expense or benefit comprises (i) amounts estimated to be payable or receivable with respect to the Company's income or loss for the period pursuant to the statutory provisions of the various federal, state and local jurisdictions in which the Company is subject to taxation and (ii) the changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities during the period.
	The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial statements and tax bases of assets and liabilities, including related operating loss and tax credit carryforwards, using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
	Net deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that management believes these assets will more likely than not be realized. In making such determination, management considers all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies and recent financial operations. In the event management subsequently determines that the Company would likely be able to realize deferred income tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, an adjustment to the valuation allowance would be recorded with a corresponding reduction in the provision for income taxes.
	Management periodically evaluates the sustainability of tax positions taken. Whenever management estimates the probability of sustaining a tax position is at least more likely than not (i.e., greater than 50%), the tax position is deemed warranted and is recognized at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement. Interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions are recognized as income tax expense.
	Share-Based Compensation
	Share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as expense on a straight-line basis over the period during which the holder is required to provide services in exchange for the award, i.e., usually the vesting period. See Note 13 for further information regarding our share-based compensation assumptions and expenses.
	Net Income per Share
	Basic net income per share for each period is computed by dividing net income attributable to common stock by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share for each period is computed by dividing net income attributable to common stock by the weighted average number of common shares plus potentially dilutive common shares outstanding except whenever any such effect would be antidilutive. Potential common shares consist of incremental common shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options and common shares issuable upon conversion of the Company's Preferred Stock. Approximately 9,000, 0 and 0 stock options for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively, have been excluded from the determination of diluted net income or loss per share because the individual effect in each instance was antidilutive.
	Concentration of Credit Risk
	Financial instruments, which potentially subject Crown Media Holdings to a concentration of credit risk, consist primarily of cash, cash equivalents and accounts receivable. Generally, Crown Media Holdings does not require collateral to secure receivables. Crown Media Holdings has no significant off-balance sheet financial instruments with risk of accounting losses.
Five of the Company's distributors, with whom we have long term contracts, each accounted for more than 10% of subscriber revenue for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively, and together accounted for a total of 86%, 88% and 88% of subscriber revenue. Two of our distributors each accounted for approximately 15% or more of the Company's subscribers for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, and together accounted for 44%, 46% and 45% of Hallmark Channel subscribers, respectively. The loss of one of these distributors could have a significant impact on the Company's operations.
Three and four of the Company's programming content providers each accounted for more than 10% of total programming rights payable as of both December 31, 2013 and 2014, and together accounted for a total of 69% and 74% of the programming rights payable, respectively.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued a new accounting standard that will require the presentation of certain unrecognized tax benefits as reductions to deferred tax assets rather than as liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. The Company adopted this new standard on a prospective basis during the first quarter of 2014. This adoption did not have an impact on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. This ASU supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Accounting Standards Codification 605—Revenue Recognition and most industry-specific guidance throughout the Codification. The standard requires that an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This accounting standards update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is in the process of assessing the impact of the adoption of accounting standards update No. 2014-09 on its financial position and results of operations.
In August 2014, FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15 Preparation of Financial Statements—Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40), Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern. Under generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), continuation of a reporting entity as a going concern is presumed as the basis for preparing financial statements unless and until the entity's liquidation becomes imminent. Preparation of financial statements under this presumption is commonly referred to as the going concern basis of accounting. If and when an entity's liquidation becomes imminent, financial statements should be prepared under the liquidation basis of accounting in accordance with Subtopic 205-30, Presentation of Financial Statements—Liquidation Basis of Accounting. Even when an entity's liquidation is not imminent, there may be conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern. In those situations, financial statements should continue to be prepared under the going concern basis of accounting, but the amendments in this Update should be followed to determine whether to disclose information about the relevant conditions and events. The amendments in this Update are effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. Early application is permitted. The Company will evaluate the going concern considerations in this ASU, however, management does not believe that it has met conditions which would subject these financial statements for additional disclosure.
In January 2015, the FASB issued new accounting rules that remove the concept of extraordinary items from U.S. GAAP. Under the existing guidance, an entity is required to separately disclose extraordinary items, net of tax, in the income statement after income from continuing operations if an event or transaction is of an unusual nature and occurs infrequently. This separate, net-of-tax presentation (and corresponding earnings per share impact) will no longer be allowed. The new rules will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2016. The Company does not expect the adoption of the new accounting rules to have a material impact on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

International_Residual_and_Par

International Residual and Participation Obligation and Sale of Domestic Film Library	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
International Residual and Participation Obligation and Sale of Domestic Film Library
International Residual and Participation Obligation and Sale of Domestic Film Library	3. International Residual and Participation Obligation and Sale of Domestic Film Library
	International Residual and Participation Obligation
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, also includes $473,000 and $1.5 million, respectively, for the estimated cost of residuals and participations that the buyer of our international business (which included the international rights to our film library) would otherwise be obligated to pay to third parties in connection with international film library sales between the April 2005 sale and April 2015. The Company's actual cost of this obligation will depend on the actual internal usage or sales of these films by the buyer.
	The Company received correspondence for the period January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2013 to make good on its payment obligations. At December 31, 2014, the obligation was estimated to be $1.5 million. In December 2014, the Company concluded that payments for residuals and participations under its liability to the buyer of the international business would be greater than estimated. Accordingly, the Company increased the carrying amount of the liability by $1.0 million and recognized a corresponding loss from the sale of discontinued operations in the accompanying statement of operations, net of $371,000 of tax.
	Sale of Domestic Film Library
	In December 2011 the Company and Sonar Entertainment, Inc. ("Sonar"), executed an agreement pursuant to which the Company acquired program licenses and was relieved of its remaining residuals and participations reimbursement obligations under the 2006 film library sale agreement, all in exchange for concurrent and future fixed cash payments. In November 2013, the Company recorded a $121,000 gain on extinguishment of this liability as a result of the Company making an early payment that resulted in a discount of cash owed.

Programming_Rights

Programming Rights	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Programming Rights
Programming Rights	4. Programming Rights
	Programming rights are comprised of the following:
		As of December 31,
		2013			2014
		(In thousands)
	Programming rights—non-affiliates
	Acquired programming
	Licensed for less than 12 years	$	261,654		$	298,731
	Original programming
	Licensed for less than 12 years		171,024			200,760
	Licensed for 12 years or longer		29,115			62,585
	Owned		18,542			43,271
	Programming rights—Hallmark Cards affiliates
	Licensed for less than 12 years		25,054			25,694
	Programming rights, at cost		505,389			631,041
	Accumulated amortization		(231,913	)		(325,046	)
	Programming rights available for broadcast		273,476			305,995
	Owned programming in development		—			1,619
	Programming rights, net	$	273,476		$	307,614
	Programming costs included in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, were $134.5 million, $134.0 million and $148.6 million, respectively.
	In the regular course of evaluating the remaining usefulness of its various program rights, the Company may determine that certain rights may be of little future program value. In such instances, the Company shortens the estimated remaining life of the asset to zero, thereby accelerating amortization of the remaining net book value. During the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, such changes in estimates resulted in additional amortization of programming rights of $4.0 million, $4.5 million and $7,000, respectively. Additionally, the Company evaluated the remaining usefulness of its owned programming asset and recognized $1.3 million of impairment expense during the year ended December 31, 2012. This expense is included as a component of non-affiliate programming costs in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations. The Company expects to amortize $5.0 million to $6.0 million of the $8.1 million net book value of owned programming during the year ended December 31, 2015.
	At December 31, 2013 and 2014, $36.6 million and $39.8 million, respectively, of programming rights were included in prepaid programming rights in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The various license periods associated with such amounts had not commenced as of the respective balance sheet dates.
	Programming rights payable are comprised of the following:
		As of December 31,
		2013			2014
		(In thousands)
	Programming rights payable—non-affiliates
	Acquired programming	$	98,670		$	88,856
	Original programming		15,208			9,923
	Programming rights payable—Hallmark Cards affiliates		14,996			13,623
	Total programming rights payable		128,874			112,402
	Less current maturities		(85,560	)		(66,726	)
	Long-term programming rights payable	$	43,314		$	45,676
	Under certain license agreements with Sonar, the Company was obligated to pay $5.3 million through December 1, 2013. In connection with its reorganization in bankruptcy, Sonar assigned its right to receive these license payments to Hallmark Cards. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company reclassified $848,000 from programming rights payable (to non-affiliates) to payables to Hallmark Cards affiliates. During the same period the Company remitted payment of $1.5 million to Hallmark Cards. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company reclassified $1.5 million from programming rights payable (to non-affiliates) to payables to Hallmark Cards affiliates. During the same period the Company remitted payment of $2.5 million to Hallmark Cards. At both December 31, 2013 and 2014, the payable to Hallmark Cards affiliates includes $0 related to this assignment.

Property_and_Equipment

Property and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Property and Equipment
Property and Equipment	5. Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment are comprised of the following:
		As of December 31,
								Depreciable Life
		2013			2014			(In years)
		(In thousands)
	Technical equipment and computers	$	8,158		$	9,852		3 - 5
	Leased assets		17,451			17,409		3 - 15
	Furniture, fixtures and equipment		832			952		5
	Leasehold improvements		857			1,537		3 - 7
	Construction-in-progress		583			1,551
	Property and equipment, at cost		27,881			31,301
	Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(18,082	)		(20,538	)
	Property and equipment, net	$	9,799		$	10,763
	Depreciation and amortization expense related to property and equipment was $2.3 million, $2.6 million and $2.8 million, for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
	Software and other intangible assets of $984,000 and $1.1 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively, have been included in prepaid and other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Leases

Leases	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Leases
Leases	6. Leases
	The Company leases uplink and transponder capacity and copiers under long-term lease agreements that are accounted for as capital leases. The capital lease liabilities are included as components of both accounts payable and accrued liabilities and non-current accrued liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. In addition, the Company leases uplink services and office facilities under operating leases that are generally non-cancelable. These leases expire at various dates through 2020, and some contain escalation clauses and renewal options. Future minimum lease payments under the agreements as of December 31, 2014, are as follows:
	Years Ending December 31,		Capital			Operating
	(in thousands)		Leases(1)			Leases(2)
	2015		$	2,179		$	4,087
	2016			2,163			2,482
	2017			2,160			1,731
	2018			2,160			1,910
	2019			2,070			1,897
	Thereafter			—			1,422
	Total minimum lease payments			10,732		$	13,529
	Less amount representing interest (at implicit rates of 9.38%, 6.30%, and 3.31%)			(2,172	)
	Present value of net minimum lease payments			8,560
	Less current maturities			(1,437	)
	Long-term obligation		$	7,123
	-1	The Company has three capital lease obligations.
	-2	Includes cancellable amounts related to parking spaces for the Studio City, California, office in the amounts of $119,000 for 2015, $130,000 for 2016 through 2019, and $97,000 for 2020.
	Rent expense under the operating leases was $3.4 million, $3.7 million and $4.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively. Amortization of the uplink and transponder asset held under a capital lease is recorded as amortization of capital lease in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
	The Company accrues and recognizes rent expense for operating leases on a straight line basis over the term of the lease, including free rent holiday periods, if any.
	Revenue associated with the Company's sale of excess digital network capacity on a transponder is included in other revenue. Such amounts were $262,000 in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

Revolving_Credit_Facilities_Te

Revolving Credit Facilities, Term Loan, and the Notes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Revolving Credit Facilities, Term Loan, and the Notes
Revolving Credit Facilities, Term Loan, and the Notes	7. Revolving Credit Facilities, Term Loan, and the Notes
	Credit Facilities and Term Loan
	On July 14, 2011, in connection with the 2011 Refinancing, the Company entered into a new $240.0 million credit agreement (the "Credit Agreement") with a lender syndicate and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent. The Credit Agreement provides for the Term Loan, a seven year $210.0 million senior secured term loan facility, and the five year $30.0 million senior secured, super-priority revolving credit facility. The Term Loan was issued at a discount of 1.0% or $2.1 million.
	On March 29, 2013, the Company and the lender syndicate amended the Company's credit agreement dated July 14, 2011. Among other things, the amendment served to (i) significantly reduce the nominal interest rates applicable to principal owed by the Company and (ii) extend the maturity of the $30.0 million revolving credit facility.
	The amendment also served to modify the lender syndicate supporting the Term Loan. For financial reporting purposes, the Company treated the transaction as a modification, as the present value of the cash flows did not substantially change.
	The Company incurred costs of approximately $1.8 million in connection with the amendment, of which (i) $430,000, representing a 0.25% discount paid to all members of the lender syndicate, and (ii) $1.1 million of debt issuance costs paid to creditors have been capitalized with respect to the Term Loan and will be amortized along with previously unamortized amounts related to syndicate members. Third-party debt issuance costs of $260,000 were expensed and are included in selling, general and administrative expense in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2013.
	The amendment reduced the Company's minimum rate on LIBOR borrowings under the Term Loan from 5.75% to 4.00% (the latter comprising a LIBOR floor of 1.00% plus an applicable rate of 3.00%). The LIBOR floor was reduced by 25 basis points and the applicable rate was reduced by 150 basis points. The July 14, 2018 maturity date for the Term Loan remains unchanged.
	Prior to March 29, 2013, the Company made principal payments of $525,000 at each quarter's end. Under the amended Term Loan, the Company made quarterly principal payments of $430,000 through September 2013. Subsequent to that date, the Company is no longer required to make these principal payments due to its voluntary payment. The Company continues to be subject to requirements to remit additional principal payments in amounts equal to (1) 50% of excess cash flow (as defined in the amended credit agreement) as determined annually, which percentage will be reduced to 25% if the consolidated leverage ratio (as defined in the amended credit agreement) is equal to or less than 4.25 to 1 but greater than 3.25 to 1, and 0% if the consolidated leverage ratio is equal to or less than 3.25 to 1, respectively; (2) 100% of net cash proceeds resulting from dispositions or casualty events if such proceeds have not been reinvested within one year after the occurrence of the disposition or casualty event; and (3) 100% of net cash proceeds from issuance of debt or preferred stock not otherwise permitted by the amended credit agreement. At both December 31, 2013 and 2014, the Company's consolidated leverage ratio was less than 3.25.
	Under the amended revolving credit facility, the maturity date was extended from July 14, 2016, to January 14, 2018. The interest rate applicable to future borrowings, if any, was reduced from LIBOR plus 3.5% to LIBOR plus 2.75%. At December 31, 2013 and 2014, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under the amended revolving credit facility.
	The covenants in the amended credit agreement continue to limit the ability of Crown Media Holdings and certain of its subsidiaries to (1) incur indebtedness; (2) create or permit liens on assets; (3) make certain dividends, stock repurchases and redemptions and other restricted payments; (4) make certain investments; (5) prepay indebtedness; (6) enter into certain transactions with Crown Media Holdings' affiliates; (7) dispose of substantially all of the assets of Crown Media Holdings; (8) merge or consolidate; (9) enter into new unrelated lines of businesses; and (10) enter into sale and leaseback transactions. The amended credit agreement also requires compliance with a maximum total leverage ratio test and a maximum total secured leverage ratio test, but permits, with certain limitations, certain equity contributions to be made to Crown Media Holdings to enhance its ability to comply with such ratio tests.
	The amended credit agreement contains a number of affirmative and negative covenants. The Company was in compliance with these covenants as of December 31, 2014.
	At December 31, 2013, and 2014, the outstanding balance under the Term Loan, net of unamortized discount, was $154.3 million and $118.2 million, respectively. The Company made principal payments of $19.6 million, $33.2 million and $36.5 under the Term Loan during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively. Interest expense under the Term Loan was $12.2 million, $8.8 million and $6.6 million for years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
	The effective interest rate under the Term Loan was approximately 6.41%, 5.28% and 5.06% during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively. The weighted average nominal interest rate was approximately 5.84%, 4.54% and 4.05% during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
	Interest expense under the revolving credit facility for years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively, was $0. One letter of credit was outstanding in the amount of $202,000 at both December 31, 2013 and 2014. Commitment fees on the revolving credit facility are payable on the unused revolving credit commitment at the rate of 0.50% per annum, payable quarterly. Commitment fee expense for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, was $152,000, $152,000 and $151,000, respectively.
	The Notes
	On July 14, 2011, the Company issued the Notes in a private placement conducted pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Notes are guaranteed on a senior basis by each of Crown Media Holdings' subsidiaries.
	Commencing January 15, 2012, interest is payable each January 15th and July 15th. The Company is not required to make mandatory sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.
	The covenants in the related indenture limit the ability of the Company to, among other things (1) incur additional debt; (2) pay dividends or make other restricted payments; (3) purchase, redeem or retire capital stock or subordinated debt; (4) make asset sales, including by way of sale leaseback transactions; (5) provide subsidiary guarantees; (6) enter into transactions with affiliates; (7) incur liens; (8) make investments; and (9) merge or consolidate with any other person.
	During any period in which the Notes have an investment grade rating from both Moody's and S&P (at least Baa3 by Moody's and BBB– by S&P), and no default has occurred and is continuing under the Indenture, Crown Media Holdings and its restricted subsidiaries will not be required to comply with the covenants in the Indenture that limit their ability to (1) incur additional debt; (2) pay dividends or make other restricted payments; (3) purchase, redeem or retire capital stock or subordinated debt; (4) make asset sales; (5) provide subsidiary guarantees; and (6) enter into transactions with affiliates. The Company was in compliance with these covenants as of December 31, 2014.
	Interest expense under the Notes was $32.2 million, $32.3 million and $31.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively. After giving effect to the amortization of associated debt issuance costs, the effective interest rate of the Notes was approximately 11.0% during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
	Debt Repurchase
	In August 2014, the Company repurchased $8.5 million in principal amount of its Notes due July 2019 for a price of $9.5 million and retired a portion of the related debt issuance costs of $160,000, which resulted in aggregate a pre-tax loss on early extinguishment of debt of $1.2 million. In October 2014, the Company repurchased $20.0 million in principal amount of its Notes due July 2019 for a purchase price of $22.1 million and retired a portion of the related debt issuance costs of $368,000, which resulted in aggregate a pre-tax loss on early extinguishment of debt of $2.5 million.
	Debt Service Requirements
	Debt service requirements, including estimated future interest, for each of the five years subsequent to December 31, 2014, and the period thereafter, are as follows:
		Payments Due by Period
		Total		Year 1		Year 2		Year 3		Year 4		Year 5
	The Notes, due July 15, 2019	$	414,043	$	28,508	$	28,508	$	28,508	$	28,508	$	300,011
	Term Loan, due July 14, 2018		134,130		24,241		4,052		4,041		101,796		—
		$	548,173	$	52,749	$	32,560	$	32,549	$	130,304	$	300,011
	Guarantees
	Crown Media Holdings has no independent assets or operations, the guarantees by the subsidiary guarantors are full and unconditional, joint and several, and there are no subsidiaries of Crown Media Holdings that are not subsidiary guarantors. With certain exceptions described above, the Notes and the Credit Facilities impose restrictions on the payment of dividends by Crown Media Holdings and the subsidiary guarantors.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Related Party Transactions
Related Party Transactions	8. Related Party Transactions
	Lease Guarantees with Hallmark Cards
	On February 24, 2010, the Company executed a letter of credit/guaranty commitment with respect to a certain lease agreement with 12700 Investments, Ltd. for the office space at 12700 Ventura Boulevard, Studio City, California. The landlord required that Crown Media United States, the entity which executed the lease, provide a letter of credit of $1.6 million securing certain obligations of Crown Media United States. Consequently, Hallmark Cards agreed to guarantee the issuer of such letter of credit against any loss thereon pursuant to the guaranty. As an inducement for Hallmark Cards to issue the guaranty, Crown Media United States agreed to pay Hallmark Cards a fee which equals 0.75% per annum of the outstanding letter of credit obligation. Additionally, in the event that Hallmark Cards is required to pay any amount under the guaranty, Crown Media United States must reimburse Hallmark Cards for any such amount plus any fees and charges associated with making such payment, any interest applicable to such amount and any costs and expenses of Hallmark Cards in connection with protecting its rights under the guaranty.
	On September 2, 2008, Hallmark Cards issued a guaranty for the benefit of Crown Media United States, which guaranty pertains to a lease agreement with Paramount Group, Inc. for the office space at 1325 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York. As a condition to executing the lease agreement, the landlord required Hallmark Cards to guaranty all obligations of Crown Media United States under the lease agreement. As an inducement for Hallmark Cards to issue the guaranty, Crown Media United States agreed to pay Hallmark Cards a fee which equals 0.28% per annum of the outstanding obligation under the lease agreement. Additionally, in the event that Hallmark Cards is required to pay any amount under the guaranty, Crown Media United States must reimburse Hallmark Cards for any such amount plus any fees and charges associated with making such payment, any interest applicable to such amount and any costs and expenses of Hallmark Cards in connection with protecting its rights under the guaranty.
	Tax Sharing Agreements
	Pursuant to the federal tax sharing agreement entered into with Hallmark Cards on March 11, 2003, the Company's results of operations for federal income tax reporting purposes became a part of Hallmark Cards' consolidated federal tax group and remained so until October 31, 2012. On that later date, Hallmark Cards transferred ownership of 40 million shares of the Company's common stock to a German subsidiary of Hallmark Cards that is not part of Hallmark Cards' consolidated federal tax group. This transfer of Company stock reduced the percentage of the Company's common stock collectively owned by members of Hallmark Cards' consolidated federal tax group to less than 80%, the minimum threshold required for inclusion in a consolidated federal income tax return. Effective November 1, 2012, the Company became a separate-company taxpayer for federal income tax reporting purposes. The stock transfer and resulting separate-company taxpayer status are referred to as the "Federal Tax Deconsolidation."
	The Federal Tax Deconsolidation enabled the Company to access approximately $692.0 million of net operating losses ("NOLs") it incurred prior to March 11, 2003 (the "SRLY NOLs"). Because of limitations imposed by the Internal Revenue Code of the United States, Hallmark Cards was restricted in its ability to utilize the SRLY NOLs. As a separate-company taxpayer, the Company will be limited in the use of the SRLY NOLs only by its ability to generate sufficient future taxable income. If not utilized, the SRLY NOLs will expire in periods from 2019 through 2021.
	For each of the periods in which it was a member of Hallmark Cards' consolidated federal tax group, the Company either (i) received from Hallmark Cards the incremental tax benefit related to the loss it contributed to the consolidated return or (ii) paid Hallmark Cards the incremental tax associated with the taxable income it contributed to the consolidated return. Payments received from Hallmark Cards or credited against amounts owed by the Company to any other member of Hallmark Cards' consolidated federal tax group have been recorded as additions to paid-in capital. Amounts owed or payments made to Hallmark Cards or to any member of Hallmark Cards' consolidated group in excess of current tax expense have been recorded as reductions to paid-in capital.
	Amounts owed and paid to Hallmark Cards pursuant to the federal tax sharing agreement for 2012, 2013 and 2014 are summarized below.
		2012			2013		2014
		(in thousands)
	Estimated federal tax liability payable to Hallmark Cards as reported at December 31	$	18,868		$	—	$	—
	Subsequently adjusted to returns as filed		(67	)		—		—
	Payments (to)from Hallmark Cards during the years ended December 31,
	2012		(17,831	)		—		—
	2013		67			—		—
	Application of overpayments		(1,037
				)		—		—
	Balance as of December 31	$	—		$	—	$	—
	Since May 9, 2000, the Company has been included in certain combined state income tax returns of Hallmark Cards or Hallmark Entertainment Holdings, Inc. ("HEH"). In connection therewith, HEH and the Company entered into a state tax sharing agreement. Under the state tax sharing agreement, Hallmark Cards (as successor to HEH upon the Recapitalization) and the Company file consolidated, combined or unitary state tax returns in some states. The Company makes tax-sharing payments to (or receives payments from) Hallmark Cards equal to the taxes (or tax refunds) that the Company would pay (or receive) if it filed on a stand-alone basis. Such payments are computed based on the Company's taxable income (loss) and other tax items beginning the day following the May 9, 2000, reorganization. In connection with the Recapitalization, Hallmark Cards agreed to waive the Company's state tax liability associated with the 2010 cancellation of debt income in those states in which Hallmark Cards and the Company file a combined return.
	During 2012, the Company reimbursed Hallmark Cards approximately $495,000 with respect to the state tax sharing agreement for the 2011 tax year. During 2013, the Company reimbursed Hallmark Cards approximately $264,000 with respect to the state tax sharing agreement for the 2012 tax year. During 2014, the Company reimbursed Hallmark Cards approximately $385,000 with respect to the state tax sharing agreement for the 2013 tax year. For the tax year ended December 31, 2014, it is estimated that the Company will owe Hallmark Cards approximately $75,000 with respect to the state tax sharing agreement, which will be paid during 2015. This amount will be payable two days prior to the due date of the state tax returns.
	The Company will continue to be included in Hallmark Cards' consolidated or combined returns for certain states.
	Services Agreement with Hallmark Cards
	Hallmark Cards provides Crown Media Holdings with tax, risk management, health safety, environmental, insurance, legal, treasury, human resources, cash management and real estate consulting services. In exchange, the Company is obligated to pay Hallmark Cards a fee, plus out-of-pocket expenses and third party fees, in arrears on the last business day of each month. Fees for Hallmark Cards' services were $457,000 for 2012, $347,000 for 2013 and $342,000 for 2014.
	At December 31, 2013, and 2014, the Company's payables to Hallmark Cards affiliates in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets were $466,000 and $150,000, respectively. The December 31, 2013, balance was comprised of $465,000 of taxes and $1,000 of invoices paid on the Company's behalf. The December 31, 2014, balance was comprised of $150,000 of taxes.
	"Hallmark Hall of Fame" Programming License Agreement
	In 2008, Crown Media United States entered into an agreement with Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions, LLC for the exclusive television license of 58 "Hallmark Hall of Fame" movies, consisting of 16 contemporary Hallmark Hall of Fame titles (i.e., produced from 2003 to 2008) and 42 older titles, for exhibition on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel. These titles are licensed for ten year windows, which commenced at various times between 2007 and 2010. The total license fee for these movies is $17.2 million and is payable in equal monthly installments over the various ten-year exhibition windows.
	In 2011, Crown Media United States entered into an additional agreement with Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions, LLC for the exclusive television license of 16 "Hallmark Hall of Fame" movies produced from 2009 through 2014, for exhibition on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel. These titles are licensed for ten-year windows, with windows commencing at various times between 2011 and 2014, depending on availability. The total license fee for these movies is $10.0 million and is payable in equal monthly installments over the various ten-year exhibition windows.
	On July 6, 2011, the Company and Hallmark Cards entered into an agreement whereby Hallmark Cards purchased advertising time from the Company and provided one-week, limited play licenses for each of six new "Hallmark Hall of Fame" two-hour movies produced by Hallmark Cards over the two-year contract term. The Company recognized advertising revenue of approximately $4.4 million as it fulfilled its advertising obligation to Hallmark Cards. As of December 31, 2013, all of such movies have aired on Hallmark Channel.
	Effective July 6, 2013, the Company and Hallmark Cards extended the July 6, 2011 agreement for another year, whereby Hallmark Cards purchased advertising time from the Company and provided one-week, limited play licenses for each of two new "Hallmark Hall of Fame" two-hour movies produced by Hallmark Cards and up to two additional Hallmark Hall of Fame movies premiered in a previous year. The Company recognized advertising revenue of approximately $2.1 million as it fulfilled its advertising obligation to Hallmark Cards. As of December 31, 2014, three movies have aired on Hallmark Channel.
	Effective September 12, 2014, the Company entered into an agreement with Hallmark Cards whereby Hallmark Cards has and will continue to purchase advertising time from the Company and has and will continue to provide exclusive premier rights to the two new "Hallmark Hall of Fame" two-hour movies, which have been produced. Additionally, the Company has exclusive rights to broadcast two "Hallmark Hall of Fame" two-hour movies, which have premiered in a previous year. The Company will receive a total payment from Hallmark Cards of $3.0 million under this agreement in connection with Hallmark Cards' advertising on Hallmark Channel. The Company recognized advertising revenue of approximately $2.6 million as it fulfilled its advertising obligations to Hallmark Cards. As of December 31, 2014, two movies have aired on Hallmark Channel.
	Effective October 1, 2014, Crown Media United States entered into an additional agreement with Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions, LLC for the exclusive television license of "Hallmark Hall of Fame" movies produced from 2014 through 2016, for exhibition on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. These titles are licensed for ten-year windows, with windows commencing at times as agreed to by the parties. The license fee for these movies is $660,000 per movie and is payable in equal yearly installments over the license term.
	Northpole
	The Company has produced Northpole, a Hallmark Channel original holiday movie, which premiered during the 2014 holiday season. It was the first full-length, two-hour original holiday movie by Hallmark Channel based on Hallmark Cards' intellectual property. Costs related to this movie have been capitalized and are included in long term programming rights on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. The Company recognized licensing revenue of approximately $900,000 related to this agreement.
	Northpole II
	The Company is producing Northpole II, a Hallmark Channel original holiday movie, which will premier during the 2015 holiday season. It will be the second full-length, two-hour original holiday movie by Hallmark Channel based on Hallmark Cards' intellectual property. Certain costs related to this movie have been capitalized and are included in long term programming rights on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. The Company anticipates similar agreements in the future.
	hoops & yoyo and Jingle Pup
	During 2011 and 2012, Hallmark Channel licensed 30-minute animated specials separately featuring hoops & yoyo or Jingle Pup, popular animated characters created and owned by Hallmark Cards. The hoops & yoyo license expires in 2016. The Jingle Pup licenses expire in 2020 and 2021, respectively.
	Trademark Agreement with Hallmark Cards
	Crown Media United States has a trademark license agreement with Hallmark Licensing, LLC, an affiliate of Hallmark Cards, for use of the "Hallmark" mark for Hallmark Channel and for Hallmark Movie Channel. In connection with the 2011 Refinancing, Hallmark Licensing, LLC extended these existing trademark licenses for an additional period terminating the earlier of (i) July 14, 2019 and (ii) the later of (x) the expiration or termination of the Credit Agreement and (y) the redemption of all of the Notes, subject to any earlier termination of such license agreements pursuant to the respective terms of such license agreements.
	The Company is not required to pay any royalty fees under the trademark license agreements. Accordingly, no amounts have been reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets or consolidated statements of operations of the Company for these licenses.
	Under the license agreement, we would be in default if we (i) fail to make any payment due under any loan agreement within five days of its due date or (ii) receive an opinion from our auditors that expresses their doubt with respect to our ability to continue as a going concern.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Stockholders' Equity
Stockholders' Equity	9. Stockholders' Equity
	The Company has not paid any cash dividends on its common stock since inception. It has been prohibited from doing so by prior debt agreements including the Term A and Term B Loans. The provisions of the Term Loan and the Notes likewise place significant restrictions on the payment of common stock dividends.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Taxes
Income Taxes	10. Income Taxes
	As a result of the Federal Tax Deconsolidation in 2012, the Company filed a separate federal tax return for 2013 and will file a separate return also for 2014.
	At December 31, 2012, management determined that it was more likely than not that the Company will realize an additional portion of the benefit of its deferred tax assets. Accordingly, during the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company released $54.2 million of the valuation allowance.
	Notwithstanding the periods during which the Company was a member of Hallmark Cards' consolidated federal tax group, the Company has continuously accounted for income taxes as if it were a separate-company taxpayer. For financial reporting purposes, the losses incurred while the Company was included in the Hallmark consolidated returns were recorded as a tax benefit offset by a valuation allowance. However, upon exit from Hallmark Cards' consolidated federal tax group, since the Company would be filing tax returns on a separate company basis, that portion of the Company's net operating losses that had previously been utilized by Hallmark Cards' consolidated federal tax group, was not available to the Company as a separate-company taxpayer. Accordingly, in the fourth of quarter of 2012, deferred tax assets, specifically the component related to net operating losses and the valuation allowance, were each reduced by $229.7 million.
	Based on positive evidence, including the five year cumulative positive income and a reasonable expectation of continued profitability in future years, the absence of significant negative evidence and certain other matters, management determined it is more likely than not that its deferred tax assets will be realized except for certain deferred tax assets attributable to state net operating losses. Accordingly, during the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company released an additional $22.8 million of the valuation allowance.
	For 2013 and 2014, the Company generated 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 used to offset the AMT income are subject to a 90% limitation.
	Prior to the Federal Tax Deconsolidation, as a result of being included in the consolidated tax return of Hallmark Cards, this AMT expense was not required to be paid to the Internal Revenue Service nor to Hallmark Cards under the tax sharing agreement through October 31, 2012. Accordingly, the Company reduced the liability for the AMT and increased paid-in capital. The net result for AMT calculated as if the Company was a separate taxpayer was a charge to the consolidated statements of operations and a corresponding credit to paid-in capital. The accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 included $38,000 for 2013 and $45,000 for 2014, respectively, as components of accounts payable and accrued liabilities.
	In recent years, changes enacted by various states have served to defer the effectiveness of the Company's net operating loss carryforwards. Also, Colorado has suspended NOLs in excess of $250,000 for 2011 through 2013 and Illinois has suspended the use of NOLs for 2011 through 2013.
	Income tax (benefit) expense for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, comprised the following:
		Current			Deferred			Total
		(In thousands)
	2012:00:00
	Federal	$	268		$	(21,819	)	$	(21,551	)
	State and local		477			(1,530	)		(1,053	)
	Total	$	745		$	(23,349	)	$	(22,604	)
	2013:00:00
	Federal	$	2,140		$	36,865		$	39,005
	State and local		424			2,220			2,644
	Total	$	2,564		$	39,085		$	41,649
	2014:00:00
	Federal	$	2,485		$	24,796		$	27,281
	State and local		184			1,471			1,655
	Total	$	2,669		$	26,267		$	28,936
	The following table reconciles the income tax provision at the U.S. statutory rate to the provision per the consolidated financial statements:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2012			2013			2014
		(In thousands)
	Tax computed at 35%	$	29,662		$	38,277		$	43,422
	State taxes, net		1,795			2,216			2,424
	Other		248			1,131			18
	Change in tax rate applicable to deferred tax assets		(140	)		25			14
	Change in state net operating loss deferred tax assets		—			—			5,877
	Decrease in valuation allowance		(54,169	)		—			(22,819	)
	Income tax provision	$	(22,604	)	$	41,649		$	28,936
	The components of Crown Media Holdings' deferred tax assets and liabilities are comprised of the following:
		Years Ended
		December 31,
		2013			2014
		(In thousands)
	Deferred tax assets:
	Bad debt reserve	$	309		$	98
	Accrued compensation		3,351			3,712
	Net operating loss carryforwards		235,038			183,245
	Depreciation		3,874			3,577
	Sale of international business and film assets		175			567
	Audience deficiency unit reserve		1,810			2,190
	Other		42			42
	AMT credit		2,408			4,892
	Valuation allowance		(26,242	)		(3,423	)
	Total deferred tax assets		220,765			194,900
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Other		(501	)		(532	)
	Total deferred tax liabilities		(501	)		(532	)
	Net deferred taxes	$	220,264		$	194,368
	The Federal Tax Deconsolidation removes the limitation on the Company's use of losses incurred prior to being included in the Hallmark Cards' consolidated federal tax group ("SRLY NOLs") and thus the related valuation allowance was removed. In addition, the deferred tax asset and valuation allowance related to the federal NOLs incurred while the Company was included in Hallmark Cards' consolidated federal tax group and utilized by Hallmark Cards' consolidated federal tax group have also been removed. The deferred tax asset and related valuation allowance related to the AMT credits recognized while the Company was included in Hallmark Cards' consolidated federal tax group and calculated as if the Company were a separate taxpayer have also been removed. Accordingly, the Company had a deferred tax asset of $200.0 million and $156.6 million related to the cumulative SRLY NOLs as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
	As of December 31, 2013 and 2014, the Company has federal NOL carry-forwards of $571.6 million and $447.3 million, respectively, and various state NOL carry-forwards. The $3.4 million of valuation allowance described below is comprised of state NOLs. The federal NOLs will expire between 2019 and 2021, and the state NOLs will expire between 2015 and 2032.
	The activity in the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets for each of the three years ended December 31, 2012, 2013, and 2014, is as follows (in thousands):
		Balance at			Additions			(Deductions) /			Balance at
		Beginning of			Charged to			Additions			End of Year
		Year			Expense
	Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets
	Year-ended December 31, 2012	$	310,128		$	—		$	(283,886	)	$	26,242
	Year-ended December 31, 2013	$	26,242		$	—		$	—		$	26,242
	Year-ended December 31, 2014	$	26,242		$	—		$	(22,819	)	$	3,423
At December 31, 2013 and 2014, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits for uncertain tax positions was $0. The Company recognized no increase or decrease in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits for uncertain tax positions. At December 31, 2013 and 2014, the Company had no accrued interest related to uncertain tax positions.
By virtue of its inclusion in Hallmark Cards consolidated tax returns, the Company is subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for periods subsequent to March 10, 2003, and prior to the Federal Tax Deconsolidation. The IRS audited the Hallmark Cards consolidated tax returns for 2010 and 2011. The separate tax returns of the Company from November 1 through December 31, 2012, and 2013 are also subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service. Further, net operating loss carry-forwards are subject to examination in the year they are utilized regardless of whether the tax year in which they were generated has been closed by statute. The amount subject to disallowance is limited to the NOL utilized. Accordingly, the Company is subject to examination for SRLY NOLs generated prior to March 11, 2003, as such NOLs are utilized.
In September 2012, the Company obtained a private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service in support of its position that as a result of the Federal Tax Deconsolidation, it will no longer be part of Hallmark Cards' consolidated federal tax group and the restrictions on its ability to utilize the SRLY NOLs will no longer apply.
As of 2013 and 2014, the Company has separate company nexus in New York and Georgia and has also been included in the combined state tax returns of Hallmark Cards or its subsidiaries for California, Colorado and Illinois.

Fair_Value

Fair Value	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value.
Fair Value	11. Fair Value
	The following table presents the carrying amounts (including interest) and estimated fair values (including interest) of the Company's financial instruments at December 31, 2013 and 2014.
		December 31, 2013				December 31, 2014
		Carrying		Fair		Carrying		Fair
		Amount		Value		Amount		Value
		(In thousands)
	Term Loan and interest payable (Level 3)	$	154,347	$	150,894	$	118,212	$	115,975
	The Notes and interest payable (Level 2)		314,438		355,026		284,569		309,256
	ASC Topic 820 Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures defines fair value of a liability as the price that would be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Company estimated the fair value of the Notes using the trading prices obtained from Bloomberg on December 31, 2013 and 2014, a Level 2 input, due to the limited amount of trading activity. The Company estimated the fair value of its Term Loan using a yield-to-maturity rate obtained from a pricing service, a Level 3 input.
	At December 31, 2013 and 2014, the fair values of the Level 3 financial instruments were $150.9 million and $116.0 million, respectively. No transfers between levels occurred during 2013 and 2014.
	Accounts payable and receivable are carried at reasonable estimates of their fair values because of the short-term nature of these instruments. Interest rates on borrowings under the bank credit facility are for relatively short periods and variable. Therefore, the fair value of this debt is not significantly affected by fluctuations in interest rates. The credit spread on the debt is fixed, but the market rate will fluctuate. Only a significant change in the creditworthiness of the Company would impact the credit spread. The Company believes that there has not been a significant change in this regard since issuance.

ShareBased_Compensation

Share-Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-Based Compensation
Share-Based Compensation	12. Share-Based Compensation
	Crown Media Holdings had one stock option plan, the Amended and Restated Crown Media Holdings, Inc. 2000 Long Term Incentive Plan, which covered Restricted Stock Units ("RSU"). The Company now has one incentive plan, the 2012 Crown Media Holdings, Inc. Long Term Incentive Plan (the "Plan"). The Plan covers stock appreciation rights ("SAR"), long term incentive awards ("LTIP Awards") and other awards that are not stock-based.
	General Restricted Stock Unit Information
	The Company's restricted stock units ("RSUs") vested based on continued service and market conditions. RSUs vested in one-third increments on the anniversary of the grant date in each of the three years following the grant. The Company's RSUs were settled in cash. The Company historically settled the RSUs in cash, and had classified its RSUs as liability awards for accounting purposes.
	The Company recognized compensation cost, net of estimated forfeitures, over the vesting term and included changes in fair value at each reporting period. Its cash settlements for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 were as follows:
		Settlement
		Amount
		(in thousands)
	2012	$	231
	2013		257
	2014		185
	Total	$	673
	A summary of the status of the Company's RSUs at December 31, 2013 and 2014, and changes during the years then ended is presented below:
	Board of Directors RSUs	Units			Weighted-Average Remaining
					Contractual Term in Years
	Nonvested Balance, December 31, 2012		141,727			1.38
	Units issued		—
	Units cancelled		—
	Units settled in cash		(88,305	)
	Nonvested Balance, December 31, 2013		53,422			0.63
	Units issued		—
	Units cancelled		—
	Units settled in cash		(53,422	)
	Nonvested Balance, December 31, 2014		—			—
	The Company recorded $237,000, $242,000 and $36,000 of compensation expense associated with the employment and performance RSUs during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively, which has been included in selling, general and administrative expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. These awards were included as liabilities in accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets due to the Company's history of settling these awards in cash.
	As of December 31, 2013 and 2014, there was no unrecognized compensation cost, related to non-vested stock options granted to the Company's employees. The closing price of a share of the Company's common stock, which is used to calculate the year end RSU liabilities, was $3.53 on December 31, 2013. As of December 31, 2013 and 2014, there was unrecognized compensation cost, related to non-vested RSUs granted to the Company's directors, in the amount of $40,000 and $0, respectively, using the aforementioned stock price.

Employee_Benefits

Employee Benefits	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Employee Benefits
Employee Benefits	13. Employee Benefits
	Benefit Plans
	All employees of Crown Media Holdings are automatically enrolled in the Company's 401(k) retirement plan. Employees have 90 days to terminate his or her participation in the plan and the plan will refund any contributions. Participating employees may contribute up to 60% of their pre-tax salary, subject to a maximum contribution limit as determined by the Internal Revenue Service, and up to 16% of after-tax salary, not to exceed 60% total of combined pre-tax and after-tax contributions. During the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, the Company recognized discretionary matching contributions of $430,000, $432,000 and $505,000, respectively, which are included in selling, general and administrative expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
	Deferred Compensation Plans
	The Company sponsors a deferred compensation plan for its management. Participants in this plan earn interest on their deferred compensation. Related liabilities of $2.1 million and $2.3 million at December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively, are included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets among current and non-current accrued liabilities.
	The Company also sponsors a deferred compensation plan for its Board of Directors. Participants in this plan earn interest on their deferred compensation. Related liabilities of $345,000 and $340,000 at December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively, are included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets among current and non-current accrued liabilities.
	Long Term Incentive Compensation Agreements
	Employee
	The Company grants incentive awards pursuant to the 2012 Long Term Incentive Plan (the "2012 Plan"). For awards granted in 2012 through 2014, the target amount of an award granted was based on a percentage of each employee's annual base salary ranging from 18% to 85%. Each award is comprised of a Performance Award and an Employment Award. For awards granted in 2010 through 2012, the Performance Award and the Employment Award each constituted half of the award. For awards granted in 2013 and 2014, the Performance Award constituted 60% of the award and the Employment Award constituted 40% of the award. The Performance Award is based on the Company's achievement of a predetermined cash flow goal and an adjusted EBITDA goal over a three year performance period.
	In the first quarter of 2010, the Company granted incentive compensation ranging from $25,000 to $536,000 per employee. The 50% Employment Awards vested and were settled in cash on August 31, 2012, in the amount of $1.2 million. A portion of the Performance Awards vested on December 31, 2012, and was settled during the first quarter of 2013 in the amount of $640,000; the remainder did not vest.
	In the second quarter of 2011, the Company granted incentive compensation ranging from $23,000 to $550,000 per employee. The 50% Employment Awards vested on August 31, 2013, and were settled in cash on September 6, 2013, in the aggregate amount of $1.5 million. The Performance Awards vested on December 31, 2013, and were settled in cash in the amount of $1.6 million on March 14, 2014.
	In the first quarter of 2012, the Company granted incentive compensation ranging from $22,000 to $652,000 per employee. The 50% Employment Awards vested on August 31, 2014, and were settled in cash on September 5, 2014, in the aggregate amount of $1.5 million. The Performance Awards vested on December 31, 2014, and will be settled in cash during the first quarter of 2015 in the amount of $1.9 million.
	In the first quarter of 2013, the Company granted incentive compensation ranging from $20,000 to $680,000 per employee. Each of the 40% Employment Awards, subject to continued employment, and each of the 60% Performance Awards, subject to the Company's achievement of financial performance criteria, will vest on December 31, 2015, and be settled in cash the later of January 30, 2016, or 15 days after the Company issues its audited financials for 2015, but no later than March 15, 2016. Each award is also subject to earlier pro rata settlement as provided in the 2012 Plan.
	In the first quarter of 2014, the Company granted incentive compensation ranging from $27,000 to $707,000 per employee. Each of the 40% Employment Awards, subject to continued employment, and each of the 60% Performance Awards, subject to the Company's achievement of financial performance criteria, will vest on December 31, 2016, and be settled in cash the later of January 30, 2017, or 15 days after the Company issues its audited financials for 2016, but no later than March 15, 2017. Each award is also subject to earlier pro rata settlement as provided in the 2012 Plan.
	Independent Directors
	During the third quarter of 2012, the Company entered into agreements granting $20,000 incentive compensation to each director who is not an employee of the Company or Hallmark Cards or their respective subsidiaries subject to continued membership on the board. On December 31, 2012, the performance criteria were achieved and on August 16, 2013, the awards vested. On August 23, 2013, the awards were settled in cash in the aggregate amount of $132,000.
	Additionally, in August 2012, the Company entered into agreements granting $50,000 incentive compensation to each director who is not an employee of the Company or Hallmark Cards or their respective subsidiaries subject to continued membership on the board. On December 31, 2014, the performance criteria were achieved. During the first quarter of 2015, the awards will be settled in cash in the aggregate amount of $306,000.
	In March 2013, the Company entered into agreements granting $50,000 incentive compensation to each director who is not an employee of the Company or Hallmark Cards or their respective subsidiaries subject to continued membership on the board through December 31, 2015, the vesting date, and achievement of the financial performance criteria. Each award will be settled in cash by the later of January 30, 2016, or 15 days after the Company issues its audited financials for 2015, but no later than March 15, 2016. Each award is also subject to earlier pro rata settlement as provided in each agreement.
	During the third quarter of 2013, the Company entered into agreements granting $35,000 incentive compensation to each director who is not an employee of the Company or Hallmark Cards or their respective subsidiaries subject to continued membership on the board. On December 31, 2013, the performance criteria were achieved. On August 15, 2014, the awards vested and on August 19, 2014, the awards were settled in cash in the aggregate amount of $262,000.
	In March 2014, the Company entered into agreements granting $50,000 incentive compensation to each director who is not an employee of the Company or Hallmark Cards or their respective subsidiaries subject to continued membership on the board through December 31, 2016, the vesting date, and achievement of the financial performance criteria. Each award will be settled in cash by the later of January 30, 2017, or 15 days after the Company issues its audited financials for 2016, but no later than March 15, 2017. Each award is also subject to earlier pro rata settlement as provided in each agreement.
	Vesting
	The 2012 Performance Awards vested on December 31, 2014, and were be determined in accordance with the Company performance criteria concerning adjusted EBITDA and cash flow. Vesting of the 2013 and 2014 Performance Awards will also be determined in accordance with the Company performance criteria concerning adjusted EBITDA and cash flow. Each award is subject to earlier pro rata settlement as provided in the related agreement.
	The Company recorded $2.8 million, $3.7 million and $4.2 million of expense included in selling, general and administrative expense in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively, related to these agreements. Additionally, the $5.1 million and $5.9 million liabilities for these agreements was included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments and Contingencies	14. Commitments and Contingencies
	In the normal course of business, the Company has entered into agreements that commit it to make cash payments in future periods with respect to non-cancelable leases and programming contracts.
	An entity providing licensed programming is required to report an asset and liability for the rights licensed under a programming agreement only when the license period has begun and when certain other defined requirements are met. As such, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets do not reflect both gross assets and liabilities of $198.4 million and $132.4 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively, related to committed programming rights payable with airing windows which begin subsequent to period-end.
	Contractual maturities of long-term obligations over the next five years and the period thereafter are as follows:
			Scheduled Payments by Period in Thousands
	Contractual Obligations		Total		2015		2016		2017		2018		2019		Thereafter
	The Notes(1)		$	414,043	$	28,508	$	28,508	$	28,508	$	28,508	$	300,011	$	—
	Term Loan(1)			134,130		24,241		4,052		4,041		101,796		—		—
	Capital lease obligations(1)			10,732		2,179		2,163		2,160		2,160		2,070		—
	Operating leases			13,529		4,087		2,482		1,731		1,910		1,897		1,422
	Programming rights payable for current and future windows(2)(3)			244,771		94,331		59,342		43,710		28,645		11,770		6,973
	Executory contracts			424		424		—		—		—		—		—
	Promotion and placement fees			5,948		3,056		1,056		306		306		306		918
	Deferred compensation and interest			2,618		811		542		718		176		—		371
	Other payables to buyer of international business			1,534		1,534		—		—		—		—		—
	Total Contractual Cash Obligations		$	827,729	$	159,171	$	98,145	$	81,174	$	163,501	$	316,054	$	9,684
	-1	Includes future interest.
	-2	The amounts and timing for certain of these commitments are contingent upon the future delivery date and type of programming produced, and, as such, the estimated amount and timing may change.
	-3	Contains airing windows that open subsequent to December 31, 2014. Therefore, the additional liability is not included on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2014.
	Litigation
	From time to time, the Company and/or various officers and directors may be named as defendants in legal actions involving various claims incident to the conduct of its business. Whenever the Company concludes that an adverse outcome in any such action is probable and a loss amount can reasonably be estimated, the Company records such loss amount. Related legal costs, net of anticipated insurance reimbursements, are expensed as incurred.

Segment_Reporting

Segment Reporting	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting
Segment Reporting	15. Segment Reporting
	During 2012, 2013 and 2014, the Networks comprise the Company's sole operating segment. The Company has evaluated performance and allocated resources based on the results of this segment. The key operating performance criteria used in this evaluation include revenue, loss from continuing operations and total assets.

Quarterly_Information_Unaudite

Quarterly Information (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Information (Unaudited)
Quarterly Information (Unaudited)	16. Quarterly Information (Unaudited)
	The following tables contain unaudited quarterly financial data (in thousands, except per share amounts) for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014.
		Quarters Ended
	2013	March 31			June 30			September 30			December 31			Full Year
	Total revenue	$	85,560		$	89,475		$	84,377		$	118,389		$	377,801
	Programming costs		(31,692	)		(32,329	)		(33,821	)		(36,159	)		(134,001	)
	Operating costs		(3,322	)		(3,850	)		(4,244	)		(3,732	)		(15,148	)
	Selling, marketing, general and administrative expenses		(16,059	)		(16,616	)		(19,711	)		(24,325	)		(76,711	)
	Income from operations		34,487			36,680			26,601			54,173			151,941
	Interest expense		(11,348	)		(10,450	)		(10,486	)		(10,293	)		(42,577	)
	Income tax provision		(8,606	)		(9,714	)		(6,111	)		(17,218	)		(41,649	)
	Net income	$	14,533		$	16,516		$	10,004		$	26,662		$	67,715
	Net income per common share	$	0.04		$	0.05		$	0.03		$	0.07		$	0.19
		Quarters Ended
	2014	March 31			June 30			September 30			December 31			Full Year
	Total revenue	$	90,675		$	97,353		$	93,327		$	134,241		$	415,596
	Programming costs		(40,161	)		(37,471	)		(36,800	)		(34,164	)		(148,596	)
	Operating costs		(3,568	)		(4,215	)		(4,199	)		(4,551	)		(16,533	)
	Selling, marketing, general and administrative expenses		(17,658	)		(20,399	)		(17,546	)		(27,871	)		(83,474	)
	Income from operations		29,288			35,268			34,782			67,655			166,993
	Interest expense		(10,311	)		(9,791	)		(9,939	)		(9,222	)		(39,263	)
	Loss on early extinguishment of debt		—			—			(1,180	)		(2,488	)		(3,668	)
	Income tax provision		(6,939	)		(9,515	)		(8,766	)		(3,716	)		(28,936	)
	Income from continuing operations		12,038			15,962			14,897			52,229			95,126
	Loss from sale of discontinued operations		—			—			—			(629	)		(629	)
	Net income	$	12,038		$	15,962		$	14,897		$	51,600		$	94,497
	Net income per common share	$	0.03		$	0.04		$	0.04		$	0.14		$	0.26
	See notes 3 and 10 above for discussions regarding non-routine quarterly activity.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Crown Media Holdings and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events. These estimates and the underlying assumptions affect the amounts of assets and liabilities reported, disclosures about contingent assets and liabilities, and reported amounts of revenue and expenses. Such estimates include the collectibility of accounts receivable, the valuation of goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets, the net realizable value of programming rights, legal contingencies, indemnifications, barter transactions, audience deficiency reserve obligations and assumptions used in the calculation of income taxes and related valuation allowance, among others.
	All of the estimates that are employed are based on management's best estimates and judgment. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, which management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Management adjusts such estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from these estimates. Changes, if any, in those estimates resulting from continuing changes in the economic environment will be reflected in the financial statements in future periods.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Cash and cash equivalents include highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less that are readily convertible into cash and are not subject to significant risk from fluctuations in interest rates. As a result, the carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	The allowance for doubtful accounts is based upon the Company's assessment of probable loss related to uncollectible accounts receivable. The Company uses a number of factors in determining the allowance, including, among other things, the financial condition of specific customers and collection trends.
	The activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts for each of the three years ended December 31, 2012, 2013, and 2014, is as follows (in thousands):
		Balance at		Additions		(Deductions) /			Balance at
		Beginning of		Charged to		Additions			End of Year
		Year		Expense
	Allowance for doubtful accounts
	Year-ended December 31, 2012	$	181	$	39	$	25		$	245
	Year-ended December 31, 2013	$	245	$	875	$	(286	)	$	834
	Year-ended December 31, 2014	$	834	$	187	$	(756	)	$	265
Programming Rights	Programming Rights
	Programming rights usually comprise feature films, series, shows, and other broadcastable productions that make up a broadcaster's television schedules. Individual rights on which these parts of programming assets are based are also referred to as film rights. Film rights comprise the rights associated with a film or program that a television broadcaster must hold in order to exploit it on the market. Such film rights are usually acquired in the form of a film or television licensing agreement, for example with license sellers, or in the form of production agreements with producers. Among other things, a licensing agreement stipulates the type and amount of the license fee, the broadcast area, broadcast time, number of broadcasts, and the form of exploitation.
	The Company's programming rights principally consist of rights to off-network, theatrical and original movies; off-network and original scripted series; original unscripted series and specials. Original series and specials consist of lifestyle, dramatic and other entertainment programming. Programming aired on the Company's television Networks is primarily obtained from third-party production companies and distributors and is classified as acquired or original programming in the footnotes to these financial statements. Programming aired on the Company's television Networks obtained from subsidiaries of Hallmark Cards is classified as affiliate programming. See note 4 below for programming rights assets and payable related to Hallmark Cards.
	Acquired programming consists of series, films and specials that have been previously produced and have often been previously exhibited by third parties for which the Company licenses limited broadcast rights for a specific time period. The licensed exhibitions can vary from a single broadcast to multiple broadcasts over several years, and the license typically requires payments during the term of the license. The cost of acquired programming is capitalized when the license period begins and the program is available for use. Original programming consists of movies, series and specials that are specifically produced for the Company's television Networks. The Company often funds the production of original programs; this production funding is classified as prepaid programming rights until production is completed and the program is available for use.
	Capitalized programming costs are stated at the lower of cost less accumulated amortization or net realizable value (fair value for owned programming). Amortization of licensed programming rights is recognized over the contractual term on a straight-line basis or the estimated useful life, if shorter. Amortization of the capitalized costs of licensed programming commences when the license period begins and the program is available for use. The portion of the unamortized programming rights that will be amortized within one year is classified as current programming rights on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
	The Company periodically evaluates the net realizable value of its licensed programming rights by considering expected future revenue generation. Estimates of future revenue consider historical airing patterns and future plans for airing programming, including any changes in strategy. Estimated future revenue may differ from actual revenue based on changes in expectations related to market acceptance, advertising demand, the number of cable and satellite television subscribers receiving the Company's Networks, program usage and actual performance of the Company's programming. Accordingly, the Company continually reviews revenue estimates and planned usage and revises its assumptions if necessary. Given the significant estimates and judgments involved, actual demand or market conditions may be less favorable than those projected, requiring a write-down to net realizable value.
	Certain original programs are fully owned and produced by the Company. Therefore, these are classified as owned programming. Amortization of the capitalized costs of owned programming is amortized over the expected and likely broadcasts of the program. The Company's unamortized owned programming of $8.1 million is classified as long-term programming rights on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification (the "ASC") Topic 926, Entertainment—Films.
Property and Equipment	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment is stated at historical cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. Equipment under capital leases is initially recorded at the present value of the respective minimum lease payments.
	Depreciation on equipment is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Equipment held under capital leases and leasehold improvements are amortized straight-line over the shorter of the lease term or estimated useful life of the asset.
	When property and equipment is sold or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation or amortization are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is included in the results of operations. The costs of normal maintenance and repairs are charged to expense when incurred.
Long-Lived Assets and Goodwill	Long-Lived Assets and Goodwill
	The Company reviews long-lived assets, other than goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives, for impairment whenever facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of the assets may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is evaluated by comparing the carrying amount of an asset to the estimated undiscounted future net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset including its ultimate disposal. If the asset's carrying value was estimated to be not recoverable from future cash flows, an impairment charge would be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value. The Company estimates fair values by using a combination of comparable market values and discounted cash flows, as appropriate.
	In September 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2011-08, Testing for Goodwill Impairment (Topic 350), (ASU 2011-08). ASU 2011-08 allows entities to first assess qualitatively whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. If an entity believes, as a result of its qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the quantitative two-step goodwill impairment test is required. An entity has the unconditional option to bypass the qualitative assessment and proceed directly to performing the first step of the goodwill impairment test.
	Goodwill is reviewed for impairment annually as of November 30 and whenever the occurrence of an event or a change in circumstances would suggest that the carrying value of goodwill might be in excess of its fair value. All of the Company's goodwill relates to the Company's Networks, which is also the Company's only reporting unit. At November 30, 2014, the date of the Company's most recent assessment, the Company concluded it was not more likely than not that the fair value of the its sole reporting unit was less than the related carrying amount.
Legal Costs and Contingencies	Legal Costs and Contingencies
	In the normal course of business, the Company incurs costs to hire and retain external legal counsel to advise it on regulatory, litigation and other matters. The Company expenses these costs as the related services are received.
	If a loss is considered probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated, the Company recognizes an expense for the estimated loss. If the Company has the potential to recover a portion of the estimated loss from a third party, the Company makes a separate assessment of recoverability and reduces the estimated loss if recovery is also deemed probable.
Leases	Leases
	The Company recognizes rent expense on a straight line basis over the lease term.
	Assets subject to capital leases are capitalized as property and equipment at the inception of the lease and depreciated over the shorter of the lease term or their estimated useful lives. The related liabilities are included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Barter Transactions	Barter Transactions
	The Company enters into transactions that involve the exchange of its on-air advertising spots, in part, for other products and services, such as programming rights. Programming rights and the related deferred advertising revenue that result from such transactions are recognized at the estimated fair value when the programming is available for telecast. Barter programming rights are amortized in the same manner as non-barter programming rights and advertising revenue is recognized when delivered. The Company recognized $794,000, $2.4 million and $2.8 million in barter advertising revenue during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively. The Company recognized $884,000, $2.2 million and $3.0 million in barter expense during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, provides guidance which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and specifies disclosures about fair value measurements. We determine fair value as an exit price, representing the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants.
	The Company does not have balance sheet items measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Significant balance sheet items which are subject to non-recurring fair value measurements consist of impairment valuations of goodwill, promotion and placement fees, property and equipment and owned programming.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition
	Subscriber revenue from pay television distributors is recognized as revenue when an agreement is executed, programming is provided, the price is fixed and determinable, and collectibility is reasonably assured. Subscriber fees from pay television distributors are recorded net of amortization of promotion and placement costs.
	Advertising revenue, net of agency commissions, is recognized in the period in which related commercial spots or long form programming are aired. If the ratings guarantees associated with the programming in which the advertising appears are not achieved, recognition of a portion of the revenue from the advertising is deferred until the guarantees are satisfied by providing the advertisers with additional advertising time. Agency commissions are calculated based on a stated percentage applied to gross billing revenue for the Company's broadcasting operations. Customers remit the gross billing amount to their respective agencies, after which each agency remits the amount collected less its commission to the Company.
	Payments received in advance of being earned are recorded as deferred revenue. Included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, is $699,000 and $2.9 million, respectively, of deferred revenue. Further, $0 and $5.9 million, respectively, are included in the long term portion of accrued liabilities as of December 31, 2013 and 2014.
	Revenues from the licensing of television programming are recorded when the content is available for telecast by the licensee and when certain other conditions are met.
Audience Deficiency Unit Liability	Audience Deficiency Unit Liability
	Audience deficiency units ("ADUs") are units of inventory (rights to utilize future advertising timeframes) that are made available to advertisers as fulfillment for past advertisements in programs that under-delivered on the guaranteed viewership ratings. The related liability results when impressions delivered on guaranteed ratings are less than the impressions guaranteed to advertisers. The liability is reduced and revenue is recognized when the Company airs the advertisement during another program to "make-good" on the under-delivery of impressions or the obligation expires contractually or by statute.
Marketing Expense	Marketing Expense
	The Company expenses marketing costs as incurred.
Taxes on Income	Taxes on Income
	Income tax expense or benefit comprises (i) amounts estimated to be payable or receivable with respect to the Company's income or loss for the period pursuant to the statutory provisions of the various federal, state and local jurisdictions in which the Company is subject to taxation and (ii) the changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities during the period.
	The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial statements and tax bases of assets and liabilities, including related operating loss and tax credit carryforwards, using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
	Net deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that management believes these assets will more likely than not be realized. In making such determination, management considers all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies and recent financial operations. In the event management subsequently determines that the Company would likely be able to realize deferred income tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, an adjustment to the valuation allowance would be recorded with a corresponding reduction in the provision for income taxes.
	Management periodically evaluates the sustainability of tax positions taken. Whenever management estimates the probability of sustaining a tax position is at least more likely than not (i.e., greater than 50%), the tax position is deemed warranted and is recognized at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement. Interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions are recognized as income tax expense.
Share-Based Compensation	Share-Based Compensation
	Share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as expense on a straight-line basis over the period during which the holder is required to provide services in exchange for the award, i.e., usually the vesting period. See Note 13 for further information regarding our share-based compensation assumptions and expenses.
Net Income per Share	Net Income per Share
	Basic net income per share for each period is computed by dividing net income attributable to common stock by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share for each period is computed by dividing net income attributable to common stock by the weighted average number of common shares plus potentially dilutive common shares outstanding except whenever any such effect would be antidilutive. Potential common shares consist of incremental common shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options and common shares issuable upon conversion of the Company's Preferred Stock. Approximately 9,000, 0 and 0 stock options for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively, have been excluded from the determination of diluted net income or loss per share because the individual effect in each instance was antidilutive.
Concentration of Credit Risk	Concentration of Credit Risk
	Financial instruments, which potentially subject Crown Media Holdings to a concentration of credit risk, consist primarily of cash, cash equivalents and accounts receivable. Generally, Crown Media Holdings does not require collateral to secure receivables. Crown Media Holdings has no significant off-balance sheet financial instruments with risk of accounting losses.
	Five of the Company's distributors, with whom we have long term contracts, each accounted for more than 10% of subscriber revenue for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively, and together accounted for a total of 86%, 88% and 88% of subscriber revenue. Two of our distributors each accounted for approximately 15% or more of the Company's subscribers for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, and together accounted for 44%, 46% and 45% of Hallmark Channel subscribers, respectively. The loss of one of these distributors could have a significant impact on the Company's operations.
	Three and four of the Company's programming content providers each accounted for more than 10% of total programming rights payable as of both December 31, 2013 and 2014, and together accounted for a total of 69% and 74% of the programming rights payable, respectively.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
	In 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued a new accounting standard that will require the presentation of certain unrecognized tax benefits as reductions to deferred tax assets rather than as liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. The Company adopted this new standard on a prospective basis during the first quarter of 2014. This adoption did not have an impact on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. This ASU supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Accounting Standards Codification 605—Revenue Recognition and most industry-specific guidance throughout the Codification. The standard requires that an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This accounting standards update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is in the process of assessing the impact of the adoption of accounting standards update No. 2014-09 on its financial position and results of operations.
	In August 2014, FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15 Preparation of Financial Statements—Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40), Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern. Under generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), continuation of a reporting entity as a going concern is presumed as the basis for preparing financial statements unless and until the entity's liquidation becomes imminent. Preparation of financial statements under this presumption is commonly referred to as the going concern basis of accounting. If and when an entity's liquidation becomes imminent, financial statements should be prepared under the liquidation basis of accounting in accordance with Subtopic 205-30, Presentation of Financial Statements—Liquidation Basis of Accounting. Even when an entity's liquidation is not imminent, there may be conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern. In those situations, financial statements should continue to be prepared under the going concern basis of accounting, but the amendments in this Update should be followed to determine whether to disclose information about the relevant conditions and events. The amendments in this Update are effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. Early application is permitted. The Company will evaluate the going concern considerations in this ASU, however, management does not believe that it has met conditions which would subject these financial statements for additional disclosure.
	In January 2015, the FASB issued new accounting rules that remove the concept of extraordinary items from U.S. GAAP. Under the existing guidance, an entity is required to separately disclose extraordinary items, net of tax, in the income statement after income from continuing operations if an event or transaction is of an unusual nature and occurs infrequently. This separate, net-of-tax presentation (and corresponding earnings per share impact) will no longer be allowed. The new rules will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2016. The Company does not expect the adoption of the new accounting rules to have a material impact on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates
Schedule of activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts	The activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts for each of the three years ended December 31, 2012, 2013, and 2014, is as follows (in thousands):
		Balance at		Additions		(Deductions) /			Balance at
		Beginning of		Charged to		Additions			End of Year
		Year		Expense
	Allowance for doubtful accounts
	Year-ended December 31, 2012	$	181	$	39	$	25		$	245
	Year-ended December 31, 2013	$	245	$	875	$	(286	)	$	834
	Year-ended December 31, 2014	$	834	$	187	$	(756	)	$	265

Programming_Rights_Tables

Programming Rights (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Programming Rights
Schedule of programming rights		As of December 31,
		2013			2014
		(In thousands)
	Programming rights—non-affiliates
	Acquired programming
	Licensed for less than 12 years	$	261,654		$	298,731
	Original programming
	Licensed for less than 12 years		171,024			200,760
	Licensed for 12 years or longer		29,115			62,585
	Owned		18,542			43,271
	Programming rights—Hallmark Cards affiliates
	Licensed for less than 12 years		25,054			25,694
	Programming rights, at cost		505,389			631,041
	Accumulated amortization		(231,913	)		(325,046	)
	Programming rights available for broadcast		273,476			305,995
	Owned programming in development		—			1,619
	Programming rights, net	$	273,476		$	307,614
Schedule of programming rights payable		As of December 31,
		2013			2014
		(In thousands)
	Programming rights payable—non-affiliates
	Acquired programming	$	98,670		$	88,856
	Original programming		15,208			9,923
	Programming rights payable—Hallmark Cards affiliates		14,996			13,623
	Total programming rights payable		128,874			112,402
	Less current maturities		(85,560	)		(66,726	)
	Long-term programming rights payable	$	43,314		$	45,676

Property_and_Equipment_Tables

Property and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Property and Equipment
Schedule of property and equipment		As of December 31,
								Depreciable Life
		2013			2014			(In years)
		(In thousands)
	Technical equipment and computers	$	8,158		$	9,852		3 - 5
	Leased assets		17,451			17,409		3 - 15
	Furniture, fixtures and equipment		832			952		5
	Leasehold improvements		857			1,537		3 - 7
	Construction-in-progress		583			1,551
	Property and equipment, at cost		27,881			31,301
	Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(18,082	)		(20,538	)
	Property and equipment, net	$	9,799		$	10,763

Leases_Tables

Leases (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Leases
Schedule of future minimum lease payments under the agreements
	Years Ending December 31,		Capital			Operating
	(in thousands)		Leases(1)			Leases(2)
	2015		$	2,179		$	4,087
	2016			2,163			2,482
	2017			2,160			1,731
	2018			2,160			1,910
	2019			2,070			1,897
	Thereafter			—			1,422
	Total minimum lease payments			10,732		$	13,529
	Less amount representing interest (at implicit rates of 9.38%, 6.30%, and 3.31%)			(2,172	)
	Present value of net minimum lease payments			8,560
	Less current maturities			(1,437	)
	Long-term obligation		$	7,123
		-1		The Company has three capital lease obligations.
		-2		Includes cancellable amounts related to parking spaces for the Studio City, California, office in the amounts of $119,000 for 2015, $130,000 for 2016 through 2019, and $97,000 for 2020.

Revolving_Credit_Facilities_Te1

Revolving Credit Facilities, Term Loan, and the Notes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Revolving Credit Facilities, Term Loan, and the Notes
Schedule of Debt service requirements, including estimated future interest, for each of the five years		Payments Due by Period
		Total		Year 1		Year 2		Year 3		Year 4		Year 5
	The Notes, due July 15, 2019	$	414,043	$	28,508	$	28,508	$	28,508	$	28,508	$	300,011
	Term Loan, due July 14, 2018		134,130		24,241		4,052		4,041		101,796		—
		$	548,173	$	52,749	$	32,560	$	32,549	$	130,304	$	300,011

Related_Party_Transactions_Tab

Related Party Transactions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Related Party Transactions
Schedule of amounts owed and paid to Hallmark Cards pursuant to the federal tax sharing agreement		2012			2013		2014
		(in thousands)
	Estimated federal tax liability payable to Hallmark Cards as reported at December 31	$	18,868		$	—	$	—
	Subsequently adjusted to returns as filed		(67	)		—		—
	Payments (to)from Hallmark Cards during the years ended December 31,
	2012		(17,831	)		—		—
	2013		67			—		—
	Application of overpayments		(1,037
				)		—		—
	Balance as of December 31	$	—		$	—	$	—

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Taxes
Income tax (benefit) expense
		Current			Deferred			Total
		(In thousands)
	2012:00:00
	Federal	$	268		$	(21,819	)	$	(21,551	)
	State and local		477			(1,530	)		(1,053	)
	Total	$	745		$	(23,349	)	$	(22,604	)
	2013:00:00
	Federal	$	2,140		$	36,865		$	39,005
	State and local		424			2,220			2,644
	Total	$	2,564		$	39,085		$	41,649
	2014:00:00
	Federal	$	2,485		$	24,796		$	27,281
	State and local		184			1,471			1,655
	Total	$	2,669		$	26,267		$	28,936
Schedule of reconciliation of the income tax provision at the U.S. statutory rate to the provision
		Years Ended December 31,
		2012			2013			2014
		(In thousands)
	Tax computed at 35%	$	29,662		$	38,277		$	43,422
	State taxes, net		1,795			2,216			2,424
	Other		248			1,131			18
	Change in tax rate applicable to deferred tax assets		(140	)		25			14
	Change in state net operating loss deferred tax assets		—			—			5,877
	Decrease in valuation allowance		(54,169	)		—			(22,819	)
	Income tax provision	$	(22,604	)	$	41,649		$	28,936
Schedule of components of the entity's deferred tax assets and liabilities
		Years Ended
		December 31,
		2013			2014
		(In thousands)
	Deferred tax assets:
	Bad debt reserve	$	309		$	98
	Accrued compensation		3,351			3,712
	Net operating loss carryforwards		235,038			183,245
	Depreciation		3,874			3,577
	Sale of international business and film assets		175			567
	Audience deficiency unit reserve		1,810			2,190
	Other		42			42
	AMT credit		2,408			4,892
	Valuation allowance		(26,242	)		(3,423	)
	Total deferred tax assets		220,765			194,900
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Other		(501	)		(532	)
	Total deferred tax liabilities		(501	)		(532	)
	Net deferred taxes	$	220,264		$	194,368
Schedule of the activity in the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets	The activity in the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets for each of the three years ended December 31, 2012, 2013, and 2014, is as follows (in thousands):
		Balance at			Additions			(Deductions) /			Balance at
		Beginning of			Charged to			Additions			End of Year
		Year			Expense
	Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets
	Year-ended December 31, 2012	$	310,128		$	—		$	(283,886	)	$	26,242
	Year-ended December 31, 2013	$	26,242		$	—		$	—		$	26,242
	Year-ended December 31, 2014	$	26,242		$	—		$	(22,819	)	$	3,423

Fair_Value_Tables

Fair Value (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value.
Schedule of the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the company's financial instruments		December 31, 2013				December 31, 2014
		Carrying		Fair		Carrying		Fair
		Amount		Value		Amount		Value
		(In thousands)
	Term Loan and interest payable (Level 3)	$	154,347	$	150,894	$	118,212	$	115,975
	The Notes and interest payable (Level 2)		314,438		355,026		284,569		309,256

ShareBased_Compensation_Tables

Share-Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-Based Compensation
Schedule of cash settlements		Settlement
		Amount
		(in thousands)
	2012	$	231
	2013		257
	2014		185
	Total	$	673
Summary of the status of entity's RSUs and changes during the period	Board of Directors RSUs	Units			Weighted-Average Remaining
					Contractual Term in Years
	Nonvested Balance, December 31, 2012		141,727			1.38
	Units issued		—
	Units cancelled		—
	Units settled in cash		(88,305	)
	Nonvested Balance, December 31, 2013		53,422			0.63
	Units issued		—
	Units cancelled		—
	Units settled in cash		(53,422	)
	Nonvested Balance, December 31, 2014		—			—

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies
Schedule of contractual maturities of long-term obligations over the next five years and the period thereafter
			Scheduled Payments by Period in Thousands
	Contractual Obligations		Total		2015		2016		2017		2018		2019		Thereafter
	The Notes(1)		$	414,043	$	28,508	$	28,508	$	28,508	$	28,508	$	300,011	$	—
	Term Loan(1)			134,130		24,241		4,052		4,041		101,796		—		—
	Capital lease obligations(1)			10,732		2,179		2,163		2,160		2,160		2,070		—
	Operating leases			13,529		4,087		2,482		1,731		1,910		1,897		1,422
	Programming rights payable for current and future windows(2)(3)			244,771		94,331		59,342		43,710		28,645		11,770		6,973
	Executory contracts			424		424		—		—		—		—		—
	Promotion and placement fees			5,948		3,056		1,056		306		306		306		918
	Deferred compensation and interest			2,618		811		542		718		176		—		371
	Other payables to buyer of international business			1,534		1,534		—		—		—		—		—
	Total Contractual Cash Obligations		$	827,729	$	159,171	$	98,145	$	81,174	$	163,501	$	316,054	$	9,684
	-1	Includes future interest.
	-2	The amounts and timing for certain of these commitments are contingent upon the future delivery date and type of programming produced, and, as such, the estimated amount and timing may change.
	-3	Contains airing windows that open subsequent to December 31, 2014. Therefore, the additional liability is not included on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2014.

Quarterly_Information_Unaudite1

Quarterly Information (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Information (Unaudited)
Schedule of unaudited quarterly financial data
		Quarters Ended
	2013	March 31			June 30			September 30			December 31			Full Year
	Total revenue	$	85,560		$	89,475		$	84,377		$	118,389		$	377,801
	Programming costs		(31,692	)		(32,329	)		(33,821	)		(36,159	)		(134,001	)
	Operating costs		(3,322	)		(3,850	)		(4,244	)		(3,732	)		(15,148	)
	Selling, marketing, general and administrative expenses		(16,059	)		(16,616	)		(19,711	)		(24,325	)		(76,711	)
	Income from operations		34,487			36,680			26,601			54,173			151,941
	Interest expense		(11,348	)		(10,450	)		(10,486	)		(10,293	)		(42,577	)
	Income tax provision		(8,606	)		(9,714	)		(6,111	)		(17,218	)		(41,649	)
	Net income	$	14,533		$	16,516		$	10,004		$	26,662		$	67,715
	Net income per common share	$	0.04		$	0.05		$	0.03		$	0.07		$	0.19
		Quarters Ended
	2014	March 31			June 30			September 30			December 31			Full Year
	Total revenue	$	90,675		$	97,353		$	93,327		$	134,241		$	415,596
	Programming costs		(40,161	)		(37,471	)		(36,800	)		(34,164	)		(148,596	)
	Operating costs		(3,568	)		(4,215	)		(4,199	)		(4,551	)		(16,533	)
	Selling, marketing, general and administrative expenses		(17,658	)		(20,399	)		(17,546	)		(27,871	)		(83,474	)
	Income from operations		29,288			35,268			34,782			67,655			166,993
	Interest expense		(10,311	)		(9,791	)		(9,939	)		(9,222	)		(39,263	)
	Loss on early extinguishment of debt		—			—			(1,180	)		(2,488	)		(3,668	)
	Income tax provision		(6,939	)		(9,515	)		(8,766	)		(3,716	)		(28,936	)
	Income from continuing operations		12,038			15,962			14,897			52,229			95,126
	Loss from sale of discontinued operations		—			—			—			(629	)		(629	)
	Net income	$	12,038		$	15,962		$	14,897		$	51,600		$	94,497
	Net income per common share	$	0.03		$	0.04		$	0.04		$	0.14		$	0.26

Business_and_Organization_Deta

Business and Organization (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Jul. 14, 2011
	item
Business and Organization
Number of operating segments	1
Senior secured term loan facility
Business and Organization
Face amount of debt instruments		$210
Notes
Business and Organization
Face amount of debt instruments		$300

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Balance at Beginning of Year	$834,000	$245,000	$181,000
Additions Charged to Expense	187,000	875,000	39,000
(Deductions) / Additions	-756,000	-286,000	25,000
Balance at End of Year	265,000	834,000	245,000
Programming Rights
Programming Rights Owned	8,100,000
Barter Transactions
Barter advertising revenue	2,800,000	2,400,000	794,000
Barter expense	3,000,000	2,200,000	884,000
Revenue Recognition
Deferred revenue, current	2,900,000	699,000
Deferred revenue, long term portion	$5,900,000	$0

Summary_of_Significant_Account4

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates (Details 2) (Stock Options)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Stock Options
Anti dilutive securities excluded from determination of diluted net income or loss per share
Anti dilutive securities excluded from determination of diluted net income or loss per share (in shares)	0	0	9,000

Summary_of_Significant_Account5

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates (Details 3)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	item	item	item
Subscriber revenue | Distributors concentration
Concentration of Risk
Concentration of risk (as a percent)	88.00%	88.00%	86.00%
Number of major distributors	5	5	5
Threshold for concentration of risk (as a percent)	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%
Hallmark Channel subscribers | Distributors concentration
Concentration of Risk
Concentration of risk (as a percent)	45.00%	46.00%	44.00%
Number of major distributors	2	2	2
Threshold for concentration of risk (as a percent)	15.00%	15.00%	15.00%
Programming rights | Programming content providers concentration
Concentration of Risk
Concentration of risk (as a percent)	74.00%	69.00%
Number of programming content providers	4	3
Threshold for concentration of risk (as a percent)	10.00%	10.00%

International_Residual_and_Par1

International Residual and Participation Obligation and Sale of Domestic Film Library (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Nov. 30, 2013
Guarantee
Obligations payable for the estimated cost of residuals and participations	$1,500,000	$473,000
Loss from the sale of discontinued operations before tax	1,000,000
Loss from the sale of discontinued operations tax effect	371,000
Gain from extinguishment		121,000
Minimum
Guarantee
Obligations payable for the estimated cost of residuals and participations	1,500,000
Sonar | 2006 film library sale agreement
Guarantee
Gain from extinguishment			$121,000

Programming_Rights_Details

Programming Rights (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Nov. 30, 2013
Programming Rights
Programming rights, at cost	$631,041,000				$505,389,000				$631,041,000	$505,389,000
Accumulated amortization	-325,046,000				-231,913,000				-325,046,000	-231,913,000
Programming rights available for broadcast	305,995,000				273,476,000				305,995,000	273,476,000
Owned programming in development	1,619,000								1,619,000
Programming rights, net	307,614,000				273,476,000				307,614,000	273,476,000
Shortened estimated remaining life of programming rights									0 years
Additional amortization of programming rights									7,000	4,500,000	4,000,000
Programming rights, included in prepaid programming rights	39,800,000				36,600,000				39,800,000	36,600,000
Carrying amount of owned programming	8,100,000								8,100,000
Programming costs	34,164,000	36,800,000	37,471,000	40,161,000	36,159,000	33,821,000	32,329,000	31,692,000	148,596,000	134,001,000	134,500,000
Impairment expense on owned programming											1,300,000
Programming rights payable
Total programming rights payable	112,402,000				128,874,000				112,402,000	128,874,000
Less current maturities	-66,726,000				-85,560,000				-66,726,000	-85,560,000
Long-term programming rights payable	45,676,000				43,314,000				45,676,000	43,314,000
Minimum
Programming Rights
Expected amortization of programming rights owned during the next fiscal year									5,000,000
Maximum
Programming Rights
Expected amortization of programming rights owned during the next fiscal year									6,000,000
Hallmark Cards affiliates
Programming Rights
Licensed for less than 12 years	25,694,000				25,054,000				25,694,000	25,054,000
Programming rights payable
Total programming rights payable	13,623,000				14,996,000				13,623,000	14,996,000
Payable for license	0				0				0	0
Hallmark Cards
Programming rights payable
Payments for license										2,500,000	1,500,000
Non-Affiliates | Acquired programming
Programming Rights
Licensed for less than 12 years	298,731,000				261,654,000				298,731,000	261,654,000
Programming rights payable
Total programming rights payable	88,856,000				98,670,000				88,856,000	98,670,000
Non-Affiliates | Original programming
Programming Rights
Licensed for less than 12 years	200,760,000				171,024,000				200,760,000	171,024,000
Licensed for 12 years or longer	62,585,000				29,115,000				62,585,000	29,115,000
Owned	43,271,000				18,542,000				43,271,000	18,542,000
Programming rights payable
Total programming rights payable	9,923,000				15,208,000				9,923,000	15,208,000
Sonar
Programming rights payable
Unrecorded license agreement obligation												5,300,000
Sonar | Hallmark Cards affiliates
Programming rights payable
Reclassification from programming rights payable (to non-affiliates) to payables to Hallmark Cards affiliates										$1,500,000	$848,000

Property_and_Equipment_Details

Property and Equipment (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment, at cost	$31,301,000	$27,881,000
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	-20,538,000	-18,082,000
Property and equipment, net	10,763,000	9,799,000
Depreciation and amortization expense	2,800,000	2,600,000	2,300,000
Software and other intangible assets	1,100,000	984,000
Technical equipment and computers
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment, at cost	9,852,000	8,158,000
Technical equipment and computers | Minimum
Property and Equipment
Depreciable Life	3 years
Technical equipment and computers | Maximum
Property and Equipment
Depreciable Life	5 years
Leased assets
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment, at cost	17,409,000	17,451,000
Leased assets | Minimum
Property and Equipment
Depreciable Life	3 years
Leased assets | Maximum
Property and Equipment
Depreciable Life	15 years
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment, at cost	952,000	832,000
Depreciable Life	5 years
Leasehold improvements
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment, at cost	1,537,000	857,000
Leasehold improvements | Minimum
Property and Equipment
Depreciable Life	3 years
Leasehold improvements | Maximum
Property and Equipment
Depreciable Life	7 years
Construction-in-progress
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment, at cost	$1,551,000	$583,000

Leases_Details

Leases (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	item
Future minimum lease payments under capital leases
Years Ending December 31, 2015	$2,179,000
Years Ending December 31, 2016	2,163,000
Years Ending December 31, 2017	2,160,000
Years Ending December 31, 2018	2,160,000
Years Ending December 31, 2019	2,070,000
Total	10,732,000
Less amount representing interest (at implicit rates of 9.38%, 6.30%, and 3.31% )	-2,172,000
Present value of net minimum lease payments	8,560,000
Less current maturities	-1,437,000
Long term obligation	7,123,000
Implicit interest rate, one (as a percent)	9.38%
Implicit interest rate, two (as a percent)	6.30%
Implicit interest rate, three (as a percent)	3.31%
Future minimum lease payments under operating leases
Years Ending December 31, 2015	4,087,000
Years Ending December 31, 2016	2,482,000
Years Ending December 31, 2017	1,731,000
Years Ending December 31, 2018	1,910,000
Years Ending December 31, 2019	1,897,000
Thereafter	1,422,000
Total	13,529,000
Leases, additional disclosure
Number of capital lease obligations	3
Rent expense under operating leases	4,400,000	3,700,000	3,400,000
Revenue from sale of excess digital network capacity on transponder leased	262,000	262,000	262,000
Parking spaces for the Studio City, California, office
Future minimum lease payments under operating leases
Years Ending December 31, 2015	119,000
Years Ending December 31, 2016	130,000
Years Ending December 31, 2017	130,000
Years Ending December 31, 2018	130,000
Years Ending December 31, 2019	130,000
Thereafter	$97,000

Revolving_Credit_Facilities_Te2

Revolving Credit Facilities, Term Loan, and the Notes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		0 Months Ended				1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 29, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 27, 2013	Jul. 14, 2011	Oct. 02, 2013	Jul. 14, 2011	Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2014
Credit Facilities and Term Loan
Debt issuance costs capitalized	$7,878,000		$7,878,000		$10,047,000
Gain (loss) on early extinguishment	-2,488,000	-1,180,000	-3,668,000
Credit agreement
Credit Facilities and Term Loan
Maximum borrowing capacity								240,000,000		240,000,000
Costs incurred in connection with the amendment				1,800,000
Discount rate at issuance (as a percent)				0.25%
Discount at issuance				430,000
Third-party debt issuance costs					260,000
Senior secured super-priority revolving credit facility
Credit Facilities and Term Loan
Maximum borrowing capacity	30,000,000		30,000,000
Outstanding borrowings	0		0		0
Interest expense			0		0	0
Commitment fees on unused revolving credit commitment (as a percent)			0.50%
Commitment fee expense			151,000		152,000	152,000
Senior secured super-priority revolving credit facility | LIBOR
Credit Facilities and Term Loan
Variable applicable rate (as a percent)				2.75%			3.50%
Basis of variable interest rate				LIBOR			LIBOR
Senior secured super-priority revolving credit facility | JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A
Credit Facilities and Term Loan
Maximum borrowing capacity								30,000,000		30,000,000
Term of debt instrument								5 years
Senior secured term loan facility
Credit Facilities and Term Loan
Maximum borrowing capacity								210,000,000		210,000,000
Discount rate at issuance (as a percent)								1.00%		1.00%
Discount at issuance								2,100,000		2,100,000
Debt issuance costs capitalized				1,100,000
Quarterly principal payments made				525,000					0		430,000
Additional principal payments required as a percentage of net cash proceeds of dispositions or casualty events, if not invested within one year			100.00%
Period of time within which proceeds must be reinvested			1 year
Additional principal payments required as a percentage of net cash proceeds from issuance of debt or Preferred Stock			100.00%
Outstanding balance under the Term Loan, net of unamortized discount	118,200,000		118,200,000		154,300,000
Principal payment on debt			36,500,000		33,200,000	19,600,000
Interest expense			6,600,000		8,800,000	12,200,000
Effective interest rate (as a percent)			5.06%		5.28%	6.41%
Weighted average nominal interest rate (as a percent)			4.05%		4.54%	5.84%
Term of debt instrument										7 years
Senior secured term loan facility | LIBOR
Credit Facilities and Term Loan
Minimum rate (as a percent)				4.00%		5.75%
LIBOR floor (as a percent)				1.00%
Variable applicable rate (as a percent)				3.00%
Reduction in LIBOR floor rate (as a percent)				0.25%
Reduction in applicable rate (as a percent)				1.50%
Basis of variable interest rate												LIBOR
Senior secured term loan facility | Maximum
Credit Facilities and Term Loan
Additional principal payments required as a percentage of excess cash flow			50.00%
Consolidated leverage ratio			3.25		3.25
Senior secured term loan facility | Consolidated leverage ratio, equal to or less than 4.25 to 1 but greater than 3.25 to 1
Credit Facilities and Term Loan
Additional principal payments required as a percentage of excess cash flow			25.00%
Senior secured term loan facility | Consolidated leverage ratio, equal to or less than 4.25 to 1 but greater than 3.25 to 1 | Maximum
Credit Facilities and Term Loan
Consolidated leverage ratio			4.25
Senior secured term loan facility | Consolidated leverage ratio, equal to or less than 4.25 to 1 but greater than 3.25 to 1 | Minimum
Credit Facilities and Term Loan
Consolidated leverage ratio			3.25
Senior secured term loan facility | Consolidated leverage ratio, equal to or less than 3.25 to 1
Credit Facilities and Term Loan
Additional principal payments required as a percentage of excess cash flow			0.00%
Senior secured term loan facility | Consolidated leverage ratio, equal to or less than 3.25 to 1 | Maximum
Credit Facilities and Term Loan
Consolidated leverage ratio			3.25
Letter of Credit
Credit Facilities and Term Loan
Number of letters of credit outstanding	1		1		1
Amount of letter of credit outstanding	202,000		202,000		202,000
Notes
Credit Facilities and Term Loan
Interest expense			31,500,000		32,300,000	32,200,000
Effective interest rate (as a percent)	11.00%		11.00%		11.00%	11.00%
Purchase price of notes repurchased													22,100,000	9,500,000
Face value of notes repurchased													20,000,000	8,500,000
Debt issuance costs retired													368,000	160,000
Gain (loss) on early extinguishment													($2,500,000)	($1,200,000)

Revolving_Credit_Facilities_Te3

Revolving Credit Facilities, Term Loan, and the Notes (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
	item
Aggregate maturities of long-term debt including future interest for each of the five years
Total	$548,173,000
Year 1	52,749,000
Year 2	32,560,000
Year 3	32,549,000
Year 4	130,304,000
Year 5	300,011,000
Guarantees
Amount of independent assets	0
Amount of independent operations	0
Number of subsidiaries that are not guarantors	0
Notes
Aggregate maturities of long-term debt including future interest for each of the five years
Total	414,043,000
Year 1	28,508,000
Year 2	28,508,000
Year 3	28,508,000
Year 4	28,508,000
Year 5	300,011,000
Senior secured term loan facility
Aggregate maturities of long-term debt including future interest for each of the five years
Total	134,130,000
Year 1	24,241,000
Year 2	4,052,000
Year 3	4,041,000
Year 4	$101,796,000

Related_Party_Transactions_Det

Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 02, 2008	Oct. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Feb. 24, 2010
Related Party Transactions
Payables to Hallmark Cards affiliates				$150,000	$466,000
Crown Media United States
Related Party Transactions
Amount of letter of credit outstanding						1,600,000
Hallmark Cards | Crown Media United States
Related Party Transactions
Fee to be paid equals to percentage of outstanding letter of credit obligation						0.75%
Fee agreed to be paid that equals to percentage of outstanding obligation under the lease agreement	0.28%
Hallmark Cards | Federal tax sharing agreement
Related Party Transactions
Ownership transferred by related party (in shares)		40
Maximum percentage of common stock owned by related party		80.00%
Net operating losses		692,000,000
Estimated federal tax liability payable to Hallmark Cards			18,868,000
Subsequently adjusted to returns as filed			-67,000
Payments (to) from Hallmark Cards in 2011			-17,831,000
Payments (to) from Hallmark Cards in 2012			67,000
Application of overpayments			-1,037,000
Hallmark Cards | State tax sharing agreement
Related Party Transactions
Amount paid				385,000	264,000
Amount owed under tax sharing agreement				75,000
Period prior to due date of state tax returns when amount will be payable				2 days
Hallmark Cards | State tax sharing agreement | California
Related Party Transactions
Amount paid			495,000
Hallmark Cards | Services Agreement
Related Party Transactions
Fees for related party services			457,000	342,000	347,000
Hallmark Cards affiliates
Related Party Transactions
Payables to Hallmark Cards affiliates				150,000	466,000
Amount of invoice payment made on behalf of the entity					1,000
Amount of taxes paid on behalf of the entity				$150,000	$465,000

Related_Party_Transactions_Det1

Related Party Transactions (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		0 Months Ended			4 Months Ended	18 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Oct. 01, 2014	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2008	Sep. 12, 2014	Jul. 06, 2013	Jul. 06, 2011	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2012
			item	item	item	item	item	item	item	item
Trademark licenses
Related Party Transactions
Licenses amount reflected in the condensed consolidated balance sheets	$0							0	0
Licenses amount reflected in the condensed consolidated statements of operations	0
Period after which entity will be in default for failure to make payment under loan agreement	5 days
Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions, LLC | Exclusive television license
Related Party Transactions
Number of movies under agreement			16	58
Number of movies under contemporary Hallmark Hall of Fame titles				16
Number of movies under older titles				42
Period of license of titles		10 years	10 years	10 years
Total license fees payable			10,000,000	17,200,000
Exhibition windows over which the program license fees are payable in equal monthly installments			10 years	10 years
License fee per movie		660,000
Hallmark Cards
Related Party Transactions
Number of movies under agreement					2	2	6
Period of license of titles							7 days
Term of contract							2 years
Advertising revenue to be recognized					2,600,000	2,100,000	4,400,000
Amount to be received under agreement					3,000,000
Number of movies with exclusive rights to broadcast					2
Number of movies aired on Hallmark Channel								2	3
Licensing revenue	$900,000
Hallmark Cards | Maximum
Related Party Transactions
Number of movies premiered under agreement										2

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended									12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Taxes
Amount of valuation allowance released	$22,800,000								$54,200,000
Reduction in deferred tax assets related to net operating losses									229,700,000			229,700,000
Decrease in valuation allowance									229,700,000	22,819,000		283,886,000
Percentage of loss carryforwards used against AMT income										90.00%
Federal AMT payable	45,000				38,000					45,000	38,000
Current
Federal										2,485,000	2,140,000	268,000
State and local										184,000	424,000	477,000
Total										2,669,000	2,564,000	745,000
Deferred
Federal										24,796,000	36,865,000	-21,819,000
State and local										1,471,000	2,220,000	-1,530,000
Total										26,267,000	39,085,000	-23,349,000
Total
Federal										27,281,000	39,005,000	-21,551,000
State and local										1,655,000	2,644,000	-1,053,000
Income tax provision	3,716,000	8,766,000	9,515,000	6,939,000	17,218,000	6,111,000	9,714,000	8,606,000		28,936,000	41,649,000	-22,604,000
State | Colorado
Operating loss carryforwards
NOLs suspended in excess of amount	$250,000									$250,000

Income_Taxes_Details_2

Income Taxes (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Reconciliation of the income tax provision at the U.S. statutory rate to the provision
U.S. statutory rate (as a percent)									35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Tax computed at 35%									$43,422	$38,277	$29,662
State taxes, net									2,424	2,216	1,795
Other									18	1,131	248
Change in tax rate applicable to deferred tax assets									14	25	-140
Change in state net operation loss deferred tax assets									5,877
Decrease in valuation allowance									-22,819		-54,169
Income tax provision	3,716	8,766	9,515	6,939	17,218	6,111	9,714	8,606	28,936	41,649	-22,604
Deferred tax assets:
Bad debt reserve	98				309				98	309
Accrued compensation	3,712				3,351				3,712	3,351
Net operating loss carryforwards	183,245				235,038				183,245	235,038
Depreciation	3,577				3,874				3,577	3,874
Sale of international business and film assets	567				175				567	175
Audience deficiency unit reserve	2,190				1,810				2,190	1,810
Other	42				42				42	42
AMT credit	4,892				2,408				4,892	2,408
Valuation allowance	-3,423				-26,242				-3,423	-26,242	-26,242	-310,128
Total deferred tax assets	194,900				220,765				194,900	220,765
Deferred tax liabilities:
Other	-532				-501				-532	-501
Total deferred tax liabilities	-532				-501				-532	-501
Net deferred taxes	$194,368				$220,264				$194,368	$220,264

Income_Taxes_Details_3

Income Taxes (Details 3) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Operating loss carryforwards
Deferred tax asset	$156,600,000	$200,000,000
Valuation allowance	3,423,000	26,242,000	26,242,000	310,128,000
Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes
Amount of unrecognized tax benefits for uncertain tax positions	0	0
Increase or decrease in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits for uncertain tax positions	0	0
Accrued interest related to uncertain tax positions	0	0
Federal
Operating loss carryforwards
Net operating losses	447,300,000	571,600,000
State
Operating loss carryforwards
Valuation allowance related to NOLs	$3,400,000

Income_Taxes_Details_4

Income Taxes (Details 4) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2012
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets
Balance at Beginning of Year		$26,242	$310,128
(Deductions) / Additions	-229,700	-22,819	-283,886
Balance at End of Year	$26,242	$3,423	$26,242

Fair_Value_Details

Fair Value (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value
Transfers between levels	$0	$0
Carrying Amount | Level 3 | Senior secured term loan facility
Fair Value
Long-term debt and interest payable	118,212,000	154,347,000
Carrying Amount | Level 2 | Notes
Fair Value
Long-term debt and interest payable	284,569,000	314,438,000
Fair Value | Level 3
Fair Value
Long-term debt and interest payable	116,000,000	150,900,000
Fair Value | Level 3 | Senior secured term loan facility
Fair Value
Long-term debt and interest payable	115,975,000	150,894,000
Fair Value | Level 2 | Notes
Fair Value
Long-term debt and interest payable	$309,256,000	$355,026,000

ShareBased_Compensation_Detail

Share-Based Compensation (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
RSUs
Share-Based Compensation
Vesting period for stock awards that vest all at one time	3 years
Stock Options
Share-Based Compensation
Unrecognized compensation costs	0	$0
2012 Long Term Incentive Plan
Share-Based Compensation
Number of share-based compensation plans	1

ShareBased_Compensation_Detail1

Share-Based Compensation (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			36 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014
Common stock
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term
Closing price per share used for RSU liability calculation (in dollars per share)		$3.53
RSUs
Share-Based Compensation
Vesting increments on each anniversary of the grant date (as a percent)	33.00%
Vesting period for stock awards that vest all at one time	3 years
Cash Settlement Amount	$185,000	$257,000	$231,000	$673,000
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term
Compensation expense included in selling, general and administrative expense	36,000	242,000	237,000
RSUs | Independent director
Units
Nonvested balance at the beginning of the period (in shares)	53,422	141,727
Units settled in cash (in shares)	-53,422	-88,305
Nonvested balance at the end of the period (in shares)		53,422	141,727
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term
Nonvested balance at the end of the period		7 months 17 days	1 year 4 months 17 days
Unrecognized compensation costs	$0	$40,000		$0

Employee_Benefits_Details

Employee Benefits (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Benefit Plans
Period allowed to employees to terminate participation in the plan	90 days
Maximum employee contribution as a percentage of pre-tax salary	60.00%
Maximum employee contribution as a percentage of after-tax salary	16.00%
Maximum combined pre-tax and after-tax contributions (as a percent)	60.00%
Discretionary matching contributions	$505,000	$432,000	$430,000

Employee_Benefits_Details_2

Employee Benefits (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended					12 Months Ended		1 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 05, 2014	Sep. 06, 2013	Mar. 14, 2014	Aug. 19, 2014	Aug. 23, 2013
Deferred Compensation Plans | Management
Long Term Incentive Compensation Agreements
Liability related to agreement included in current and non-current accrued liabilities	$2,300,000	$2,100,000
Deferred Compensation Plans | Independent director
Long Term Incentive Compensation Agreements
Liability related to agreement included in current and non-current accrued liabilities	340,000	345,000
LTI Agreements
Long Term Incentive Compensation Agreements
Compensation expense included in selling, general and administrative expense	4,200,000	3,700,000	2,800,000
Liability related to agreement included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	5,900,000	5,100,000
LTI Agreements | Minimum
Long Term Incentive Compensation Agreements
Incentive award grant as a percentage of employee annual base salary	18.00%	18.00%	18.00%
Target award				27,000	20,000	22,000	23,000	25,000
LTI Agreements | Maximum
Long Term Incentive Compensation Agreements
Incentive award grant as a percentage of employee annual base salary	85.00%	85.00%	85.00%
Target award				707,000	680,000	652,000	550,000	536,000
LTI Agreements | Employment Award
Long Term Incentive Compensation Agreements
Portion of award in each grant (as a percent)	40.00%	40.00%	50.00%	40.00%	40.00%	50.00%	50.00%	50.00%	50.00%	50.00%
Amount settled in cash													1,200,000			1,500,000	1,500,000
Period after issuance date of audited financials within which award will be settled in cash					15 days
LTI Agreements | Performance Award
Long Term Incentive Compensation Agreements
Portion of award in each grant (as a percent)	60.00%	60.00%	50.00%	60.00%	60.00%				50.00%	50.00%
Period of time for performance award goal	3 years	3 years	3 years						3 years	3 years
Amount settled in cash					640,000							640,000						1,600,000
Amount to be settled	1,900,000
Period after issuance date of audited financials within which award will be settled in cash				15 days	15 days
LTI Agreements | Independent director | Performance Award
Long Term Incentive Compensation Agreements
Target award											50,000	50,000	50,000	35,000	20,000
Amount settled in cash																			262,000	132,000
Amount to be settled	$306,000
Period after issuance date of audited financials within which award will be settled in cash											15 days	15 days

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
Scheduled Payments of Long-term Debt by Period
Total	$548,173,000
2015	52,749,000
2016	32,560,000
2017	32,549,000
2018	130,304,000
2019	300,011,000
Scheduled Payments of Capital Lease Obligations by Period
Total	10,732,000
2015	2,179,000
2016	2,163,000
2017	2,160,000
2018	2,160,000
2019	2,070,000
Scheduled Payments of Operating Lease Obligations by Period
Total	13,529,000
2015	4,087,000
2016	2,482,000
2017	1,731,000
2018	1,910,000
2019	1,897,000
Thereafter	1,422,000
Scheduled Payments of Contractual Obligations by Period
Total	827,729,000
2015	159,171,000
2016	98,145,000
2017	81,174,000
2018	163,501,000
2019	316,054,000
Thereafter	9,684,000
Programming rights payable for current and future windows
Scheduled Payments of Contractual Obligations by Period
Total	244,771,000
2015	94,331,000
2016	59,342,000
2017	43,710,000
2018	28,645,000
2019	11,770,000
Thereafter	6,973,000
Executory contracts
Scheduled Payments of Contractual Obligations by Period
Total	424,000
2015	424,000
Promotion and placement fees
Scheduled Payments of Contractual Obligations by Period
Total	5,948,000
2015	3,056,000
2016	1,056,000
2017	306,000
2018	306,000
2019	306,000
Thereafter	918,000
Deferred compensation and interest
Scheduled Payments of Contractual Obligations by Period
Total	2,618,000
2015	811,000
2016	542,000
2017	718,000
2018	176,000
Thereafter	371,000
Other payables to buyer of international business
Scheduled Payments of Contractual Obligations by Period
Total	1,534,000
2015	1,534,000
Notes
Scheduled Payments of Long-term Debt by Period
Total	414,043,000
2015	28,508,000
2016	28,508,000
2017	28,508,000
2018	28,508,000
2019	300,011,000
Senior secured term loan facility
Scheduled Payments of Long-term Debt by Period
Total	134,130,000
2015	24,241,000
2016	4,052,000
2017	4,041,000
2018	$101,796,000

Commitments_and_Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies (Details 2) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Commitments and Contingencies
Unrecorded committed programming rights assets	$132.40	$198.40
Unrecorded committed programming rights liabilities	$132.40	$198.40

Quarterly_Information_Unaudite2

Quarterly Information (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Quarterly Information (Unaudited)
Total revenue	$134,241	$93,327	$97,353	$90,675	$118,389	$84,377	$89,475	$85,560	$415,596	$377,801	$349,870
Programming costs	-34,164	-36,800	-37,471	-40,161	-36,159	-33,821	-32,329	-31,692	-148,596	-134,001	-134,500
Operating costs	-4,551	-4,199	-4,215	-3,568	-3,732	-4,244	-3,850	-3,322	-16,533	-15,148
Selling, marketing, general and administrative expenses	-27,871	-17,546	-20,399	-17,658	-24,325	-19,711	-16,616	-16,059	-83,474	-76,711
Income from operations before interest, income tax expense and discontinued operations	67,655	34,782	35,268	29,288	54,173	26,601	36,680	34,487	166,993	151,941	130,805
Interest expense	-9,222	-9,939	-9,791	-10,311	-10,293	-10,486	-10,450	-11,348	-39,263	-42,577
Gain (loss) on early extinguishment	-2,488	-1,180							-3,668
Income tax provision	-3,716	-8,766	-9,515	-6,939	-17,218	-6,111	-9,714	-8,606	-28,936	-41,649	22,604
Income from continuing operations	52,229	14,897	15,962	12,038					95,126	67,715	107,353
Loss from sale of discontinued operations	-629								-629
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$51,600	$14,897	$15,962	$12,038	$26,662	$10,004	$16,516	$14,533	$94,497	$67,715	$107,353
Net income per common share (in dollars per share)	$0.14	$0.04	$0.04	$0.03	$0.07	$0.03	$0.05	$0.04	$0.26	$0.19