Crown Media 10-Q 7 Nov 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Nov. 03, 2014
Document and Entity Information	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'CROWN MEDIA HOLDINGS INC	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001103837	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	359,675,936
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$65,704	$63,750
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $834 and $201, respectively	85,118	104,613
Programming rights	87,226	71,540
Prepaid programming rights	35,327	26,839
Deferred tax assets, net	39,100	39,100
Prepaid and other assets	3,514	1,960
Total current assets	315,989	307,802
Programming rights	212,788	201,936
Prepaid programming rights	8,463	9,805
Property and equipment, net	9,728	9,799
Deferred tax assets, net	157,464	181,164
Debt issuance costs, net	8,648	10,047
Prepaid and other assets	3,337	3,644
Goodwill	314,033	314,033
Total assets	1,030,450	1,038,230
LIABILITIES:	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	18,748	22,238
Audience deficiency reserve liability	9,176	4,888
Programming rights payable	73,232	85,560
Payables to Hallmark Cards affiliates	593	466
Interest payable	6,390	14,455
Current maturities of long-term debt	'	25,000
Total current liabilities	108,139	152,607
Accrued liabilities	19,775	13,838
Programming rights payable	50,888	43,314
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	409,610	429,330
Total liabilities	588,412	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 September 30, 2014	3,597	3,597
Paid-in capital	2,062,818	2,062,818
Accumulated deficit	-1,624,377	-1,667,274
Total stockholders' equity	442,038	399,141
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$1,030,450	$1,038,230

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS	'	'
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts (in dollars)	$201	$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

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Revenue:	'	'	'	'
Advertising	$71,373	$63,577	$214,855	$195,413
Advertising by Hallmark Cards	'	'	1,725	2,112
Subscriber fees	20,665	20,527	62,636	61,273
Other revenue	1,289	273	2,139	614
Total revenue, net	93,327	84,377	281,355	259,412
Programming costs	'	'	'	'
Non-affiliates	36,065	33,133	111,931	95,393
Hallmark Cards affiliates	735	688	2,501	2,449
Other costs of services	4,199	4,244	11,982	11,416
Total cost of services	40,999	38,065	126,414	109,258
Selling, general and administrative expense (exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense shown separately below)	15,543	15,193	47,655	45,331
Marketing expense	1,353	3,993	6,195	5,686
Depreciation and amortization expense	650	525	1,753	1,369
Income from operations before interest and income tax expense	34,782	26,601	99,338	97,768
Interest income	91	'	295	'
Interest expense	-10,030	-10,486	-30,336	-32,284
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	-1,180	'	-1,180	'
Income from operations before income tax expense	23,663	16,115	68,117	65,484
Income tax expense	-8,766	-6,111	-25,220	-24,431
Net income attributable to Stockholders	$14,897	$10,004	$42,897	$41,053
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, basic and diluted (in shares)	359,676	359,676	359,676	359,676
Net income per common share, basic and diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.04	$0.03	$0.12	$0.11

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Net income	$42,897	$41,053
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	1,180	'
Loss on disposal of property and equipment	'	2
Depreciation and amortization	119,360	102,209
Provision for allowance for doubtful accounts	123	794
Income tax expense	23,819	23,145
Share-based compensation	36	210
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Decrease in accounts receivable	19,372	14,340
Additions to programming rights	-140,969	-107,927
Increase in prepaid and other assets	-9,800	-17,587
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable, accrued and other liabilities	8,150	-6,616
Decrease in interest payable	-8,065	-7,889
Decrease in programming rights payable	-4,754	-5,390
(Decrease) increase in payables to Hallmark Cards affiliates	10	-1,972
Net cash provided by operating activities	51,359	34,372
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Purchases of property and equipment	-2,412	-1,405
Disposal of property and equipment	'	3
Net cash used in investing activities	-2,412	-1,402
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Principal payments on the Term Loan	-36,503	-33,210
Principal payments on the Notes	-9,516	'
Capitalized debt issuance costs	'	-1,116
Discount on issuance of debt	'	-430
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	-974	-954
Net cash used in financing activities	-46,993	-35,710
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	1,954	-2,740
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	63,750	43,705
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	65,704	40,965
Supplemental disclosure of cash and non-cash activities:	'	'
Interest paid	36,557	38,582
Income taxes paid	1,929	1,890
Asset acquired through capital lease obligation	$21	'

Business_and_Organization

Business and Organization	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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.

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates	'
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates	'
	2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates
	Interim Financial Statements
	In the opinion of management, the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets and related interim condensed consolidated statements of operations and cash flows include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring items necessary for their fair presentation in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes to those statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
	Basis of Presentation
	The condensed 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.
	The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles requires the consideration of events or transactions that occur after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are issued. Depending on the nature of the subsequent event, financial statement recognition or disclosure of the subsequent event may be required.
	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.
	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, collection trends. The Company’s bad debt expense was $504,000 and $10,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively. The Company’s bad debt expense was $794,000 and $123,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
	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 $224,000 and $376,000 of barter advertising revenue during the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively. The Company recognized $1.4 million and $1.7 million of barter advertising revenue during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively. The Company recognized $196,000 and $525,000 of barter expense during the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively. The Company recognized $1.3 million and $1.9 million of barter expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
	Deferred Revenue
	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 September 30, 2014, is $699,000 and $3.9 million, respectively, of deferred revenue. Further, $0 and $6.5 million, respectively, are included in the long term portion of accrued liabilities as of December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2014.
	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.
	Net Income per Share
	Basic net income per share for each period is computed by dividing net income attributable to Common Stockholders 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 stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares plus potentially dilutive common shares outstanding except whenever any such effect would be antidilutive.
	Concentration of 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 our distributors, with whom we have long term contracts, individually accounted for more than 10% of our consolidated subscriber revenue and collectively accounted for 88% of our consolidated subscriber revenue during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014.  Two of our distributors individually accounted for approximately 15% or more of our consolidated subscribers and collectively accounted for 44% of our subscribers during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013. Two of our distributors individually accounted for approximately 15% or more of our consolidated subscribers and collectively accounted for 45% of our subscribers during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014. The loss of one of these distributors could have an adverse impact on the Company’s operations.
	Three and four of our programming content providers individually accounted for more than 10% of our total license fee programming and collectively accounted for 71% and 73% of the consolidated programming liability as of September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively. The loss of any one of these programming content providers could have an adverse impact on the Company’s operations.
	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.
	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 April 2014, the FASB issued an accounting standard update that changes the definition of a discontinued operation to include only those disposals of components of an entity that represent a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. The amendments in this accounting standard update should be applied prospectively and are effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those years, beginning on or after December 15, 2014. Early adoption is permitted for disposals that have not been reported in financial statements previously issued. The Company adopted this new standard 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.

Programming_Rights

Programming Rights	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Programming Rights	'
Programming Rights	'
	3. Programming Rights
	Programming rights are comprised of the following:
		As of December 31,			As of September 30,
		2013			2014
		(In thousands)
	Programming rights — non-affiliates
	Acquired programming
	Licensed for less than 12 years	$	261,654		$	295,030
	Original programming
	Licensed for less than 12 years	171,024			199,110
	Licensed for 12 years or longer	29,115			44,942
	Owned	18,542			31,116
	Programming rights— Hallmark Cards affiliates
	Licensed for less than 12 years	25,054			25,694
	Programming rights, at cost	505,389			595,892
	Accumulated amortization	(231,913		)	(303,575		)
	Programming rights available for broadcast	273,476			292,317
	Owned programming in development	—			7,697
	Programming rights, net	$	273,476		$	300,014
	In the regular course of evaluating the remaining usefulness of its various program licenses, the Company may determine that certain licenses may be of little future program value to it.  In such instances, the Company shortens the estimated remaining lives to zero, thereby accelerating amortization of the remaining net book value.  During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, such changes in estimates resulted in additional amortization of programming rights of $16,000 and $2.1 million, respectively. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, such changes in estimates resulted in additional amortization of programming rights of $0 and $7,000, respectively.
	At December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2014, $36.6 million and $43.8 million, respectively, of programming rights were included in prepaid programming rights on the accompanying condensed 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,			As of September 30,
		2013			2014
		(In thousands)
	Programming rights payable — non-affiliates
	Acquired programming	$	98,670		$	96,163
	Original programming	15,208			13,660
	Programming rights payable — Hallmark Cards affiliates	14,996			14,297
	Total programming rights payable	128,874			124,120
	Less current maturities	(85,560		)	(73,232		)
	Long-term programming rights payable	$	43,314		$	50,888
	Under certain license agreements with Sonar Entertainment, Inc. (“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 nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company reclassified $1.4 million from programming rights payable (to non-affiliates) to payables to Hallmark Cards affiliates. During the same period the Company remitted payment of $1.9 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 December 31, 2013, the payable to Hallmark Cards affiliates includes $0 related to this assignment.

Revolving_Credit_Facilities_Te

Revolving Credit Facilities, Term Loan, and the Notes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Revolving Credit Facilities, Term Loan, and the Notes	'
Revolving Credit Facilities, Term Loan, and the Notes	'
	4. Revolving Credit Facilities, Term Loan, and the Notes
	Credit Facilities and Term Loan
	On March 29, 2013, the Company and the related lender syndicate amended the Company’s credit agreement dated July 14, 2011. Among other things, the amendment served to (i) 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.
	In connection with the amendment, the Company incurred costs of approximately $1.8 million. These costs included (i) a 0.25%, $430,000 discount paid to all members of the lender syndicate and (ii) $1.1 million of debt issuance costs paid to creditors, all of which have been capitalized with respect to the Term Loan and are being 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 condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended March 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 facility remains unchanged.
	In both June 2013 and September 2013, the Company made quarterly principal payments of $430,000. In September 2013, the Company made a voluntary principal payment of $15.0 million, after which it is no longer required to make quarterly principal payments. 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.
	Under the amended revolving credit facility, the maturity was extended from July 14, 2016, to January 14, 2018. The interest rate applicable to future borrowings, if any, was also reduced. At December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2014, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under the 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 September 30, 2014.
	At December 31, 2013, and September 30, 2014, the outstanding balance under the Term Loan, net of unamortized discount, was $154.3 million and $118.1 million, respectively. The Company made principal payments of $15.4 million and $11.5 million under the Term Loan during the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively. The Company made principal payments of $33.2 million and $36.5 million under the Term Loan during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
	Interest expense under the Term Loan was $2.0 million and $1.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively. The effective interest rate was approximately 4.87% and 5.10% during the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively. The weighted average nominal interest rate was approximately 4.05% and 4.05% during the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
	Interest expense under the Term Loan was $6.9 million and $5.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively. The effective interest rate was approximately 5.39% and 5.03% during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively. The weighted average nominal interest rate was approximately 4.69% and 4.05% during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
	Interest expense under the revolving credit facility for both the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, was $0. One letter of credit was outstanding in the amount of $202,000 at both December 31, 2013, and September 30, 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 each of the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014 was $38,000. Commitment fee expense for each of the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014 was $113,000.
	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 “Securities Act”).  The Notes are guaranteed on a senior basis by each of Crown Media Holdings’ subsidiaries (the “Guarantors”).
	Commencing January 15, 2012, interest on the Notes became 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 (the “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. The Company was in compliance with these covenants as of September 30, 2014.
	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.
	Interest expense under the Notes was $8.1 million and $8.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 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 three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014.
	Interest expense under the Notes was $24.2 million and $24.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 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 nine months ended September 30, 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.
	Debt Maturities
	The aggregate maturities of long-term debt, including estimated future interest for each of the five years subsequent to September 30, 2014, and the period thereafter, are as follows:
		Payments Due by Period
		Total		Year 1		Year 2		Year 3		Year 4		Year 5		Thereafter
		(In thousands)
	Notes, due July 15, 2019	$	444,543	$	30,608	$	30,608	$	30,608	$	30,608	$	322,111	$	—
	Term Loan, due July 14, 2018	138,021		4,852		4,865		4,852		123,452		—		—
		$	582,564	$	35,460	$	35,473	$	35,460	$	154,060	$	322,111	$	—
	At September 30, 2014, the Company was not contractually obligated to repay any outstanding debt within the next twelve months. However, the Company may use a substantial portion of its free cash over the course of the next year to repurchase outstanding Notes and/or to accelerate the repayment of its Term Loan.  There can be no assurance that the Company will accelerate its Term Loan repayment or repurchase any additional Notes. For the October 2014 repurchase of Notes, please see Footnote 10, Subsequent Events.
	Guarantees
	Because Crown Media Holdings has no independent assets or operations, the guarantees by the subsidiary guarantors are full and unconditional, as well as joint and several. There are no subsidiaries of Crown Media Holdings that are not subsidiary guarantors.  With certain exceptions described above, the Indenture and the amended credit agreement impose restrictions on the payment of dividends by Crown Media Holdings and the subsidiary guarantors.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Related Party Transactions	'
Related Party Transactions	'
	5. Related Party Transactions
	Tax Sharing Agreements
	The Company entered into a federal tax sharing agreement with Hallmark Cards on March 11, 2003, which stopped being applicable on November 1, 2012, when the Company became a separate-company taxpayer for federal income tax reporting purposes.
	Since May 9, 2000, the Company has been and continues to be 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.
	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.  This amount will be payable two days prior to the due date of the state tax returns. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, it is estimated that the Company will owe Hallmark Cards approximately $39,000 with respect to the state tax sharing agreement, which will be paid during 2015. The state tax sharing agreement will continue to apply as long as the Company is included in the Hallmark Cards combined return.
	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, real estate consulting services and other services as requested by the Company.  In exchange, the Company is obligated to pay Hallmark Cards a fee, plus out-of-pocket expenses and third party fees, in arrears each month. Fees for Hallmark Cards’ services were $347,000 for 2013 and are expected to be $342,000 for 2014.
	At December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2014, the Company’s payables to Hallmark Cards affiliates in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets were $466,000 and $593,000, 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 September 30, 2014 balance was comprised of $583,000 of taxes and $10,000 of invoices paid on the Company’s behalf.
	“Hallmark Hall of Fame” Programming License Agreement
	In 2008, Crown Media United States entered into an agreement with Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions, LLC, a subsidiary of Hallmark Cards, 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 Movies and Mysteries.  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 Movies and Mysteries.  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 provided the Company 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 will provide the Company 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 September 30, 2014, three movies have aired on Hallmark Channel.
	Northpole
	The Company, in collaboration with Hallmark Cards, has produced Northpole, a Hallmark Channel original holiday movie, which will premier during the 2014 holiday season. It is the first full-length, two-hour original holiday movie that Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Cards have created together.  Costs related to this movie have been capitalized and are included in long term programming rights on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.
	Northpole II
	The Company, in another collaboration with Hallmark Cards, 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 that Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Cards have created together.  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 collaborations in the future.
	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 Movies and Mysteries.  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 condensed consolidated balance sheets or condensed consolidated statements of operations of the Company for these licenses.
	Under the license agreement, the Company would be in default if it, in addition to certain other situations which would violate standards and guidelines established by Hallmark Cards, (i) fails to make any payment due under any loan agreement within five days of its due date or (ii) receives an opinion from its auditors that expresses their doubt with respect to its ability to continue as a going concern.

Restricted_Stock_Units_and_Lon

Restricted Stock Units and Long Term Incentive Plan	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Restricted Stock Units and Long Term Incentive Plan	'
Restricted Stock Units and Long Term Incentive Plan	'
	6. Restricted Stock Units and Long Term Incentive Plan
	Restricted Stock Units
	The Company recorded $86,000 of compensation expense and $1,000 of compensation benefit associated with restricted stock units (“RSUs”) during the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively, which has been included in selling, general and administrative expense on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. The Company recorded $210,000 and $36,000 of compensation expense associated with restricted stock units (“RSUs”) during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively, which has been included in selling, general and administrative expense on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.  The Company issued cash settlements related to the RSUs of $257,000 and $185,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
	The closing price of a share of the Company’s Common Stock, which was used to calculate the year end RSU liabilities, was $3.53 on December 31, 2013. As of December 31, 2013, there was unrecognized compensation cost, related to non-vested RSUs granted to the Company’s directors, in the amount of $40,000. As of September 30, 2014, there are no longer any RSUs outstanding.
	Long Term Incentive Plan
	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.  Each of the 50% Performance Awards will vest on December 31, 2014, subject to the Company’s achievement of financial performance criteria, and will be settled in cash by the later of January 30, 2015, or 15 days after the Company issues its audited financials for 2014, but no later than March 15, 2015. Each award is also subject to earlier pro rata settlement as provided in the 2012 Plan.
	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.
	Directors
	During the third quarter of 2012, the Company entered into LTI 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 LTI 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, 2014, the vesting date, and achievement of the financial performance criteria. Each of the awards will be settled in cash by the later of January 30, 2015, or 15 days after the Company issues its audited financials for 2014, but no later than March 15, 2015.
	In March 2013, the Company entered into LTI 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 LTI Agreement.
	During the third quarter of 2013, the Company entered into LTI 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 LTI 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 LTI Agreement.
	Vesting
	Vesting of the 2012, 2013 and 2014 LTI Performance Awards will be determined in accordance with the Company performance criteria concerning adjusted EBITDA and cash flow and subject to earlier pro rata settlement as provided in the 2012 Plan.
	In recognition of these LTI Agreements, the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations include $1.0 million among selling, general and administrative expense for both the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014. In recognition of these LTI Agreements, the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations include $2.7 million and $2.9 million in selling, general and administrative expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively. Additionally, the $5.1 million and $4.6 million liabilities for these agreements were included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2013, and September 30, 2014, respectively.

Fair_Value

Fair Value	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value	'
Fair Value	'
	7. Fair Value
	The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments at December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2014.
		December 31, 2013				September 30, 2014
		Carrying		Fair		Carrying		Fair
		Amount		Value		Amount		Value
		(In thousands)
	Term Loan and interest payable (Level 3)	$	154,347	$	150,894	$	118,120	$	116,725
	The Notes and interest payable (Level 2)	314,438		355,026		297,880		329,785
	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 September 30, 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 September 30, 2014, the fair values of the Level 3 financial instruments were $150.9 million and $116.7 million, respectively. No transfers between levels occurred during 2013 and 2014.
	Accounts payable and receivable are carried at reasonable estimates of their fair values due to 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.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	8. 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, programming contracts and residual and participation obligations.
	Legal Proceedings
	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.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Taxes	'
Income Taxes	'
	9. Income Taxes
	The Company files a separate-company federal tax return. In 2013, the Company generated federal and state taxable income for both regular tax and alternative minimum tax (“AMT”) purposes.  For regular tax purposes, this income is fully offset by net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”).  For federal AMT purposes, loss carryforwards used to offset the AMT income are subject to a 90% limitation. The Company incurs quarterly payments of AMT. The AMT is included as a component of the Company’s deferred tax assets. For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, the Company recognized $336,000 and $489,000, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, the Company recognized $1.3 million and $1.4 million, respectively. During the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, $525,000 and $650,000 were paid, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, $1.6 million and $1.9 million were paid, respectively, related to the 2013 and 2014 tax years.
	As of December 31, 2013, the Company had federal NOL carry-forwards of $571.6 million and various state NOL carry-forwards.  The determination of the state NOL carry-forwards depends on apportionment percentages and state laws that can change from year to year and impact the amount of such carry-forwards.  If the Company does not generate sufficient taxable income, the federal NOLs will expire between 2019 and 2021 and the state NOLs will expire between 2014 and 2032. The Company believes that it is more likely than not that this taxable income will be generated and, accordingly, no valuation allowance is necessary.
	At both December 31, 2013 and September 30, 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.  Accordingly, at both December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2014, there is no accrued interest related to uncertain tax positions.
	By virtue of its previous inclusion in Hallmark Cards consolidated tax group, the Company’s NOLs are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for periods subsequent to March 10, 2003. Further, the NOL carryforwards 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 of limitations.  The amount subject to disallowance is limited to the NOL utilized.  Accordingly, the Company is subject to examination for NOLs generated prior to March 11, 2003.

Subsequent_Event

Subsequent Event	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Subsequent Event	'
Subsequent Event	'
	10. Subsequent Event
	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.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates	'
Interim Financial Statements	'
	Interim Financial Statements
	In the opinion of management, the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets and related interim condensed consolidated statements of operations and cash flows include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring items necessary for their fair presentation in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes to those statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
Basis of Presentation	'
	Basis of Presentation
	The condensed 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.
	The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles requires the consideration of events or transactions that occur after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are issued. Depending on the nature of the subsequent event, financial statement recognition or disclosure of the subsequent event may be required.
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.
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, collection trends. The Company’s bad debt expense was $504,000 and $10,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively. The Company’s bad debt expense was $794,000 and $123,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
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 $224,000 and $376,000 of barter advertising revenue during the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively. The Company recognized $1.4 million and $1.7 million of barter advertising revenue during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively. The Company recognized $196,000 and $525,000 of barter expense during the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively. The Company recognized $1.3 million and $1.9 million of barter expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
Deferred Revenue	'
	Deferred Revenue
	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 September 30, 2014, is $699,000 and $3.9 million, respectively, of deferred revenue. Further, $0 and $6.5 million, respectively, are included in the long term portion of accrued liabilities as of December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2014.
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.
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 Stockholders 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 stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares plus potentially dilutive common shares outstanding except whenever any such effect would be antidilutive.
Concentration of Risk	'
	Concentration of 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 our distributors, with whom we have long term contracts, individually accounted for more than 10% of our consolidated subscriber revenue and collectively accounted for 88% of our consolidated subscriber revenue during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014.  Two of our distributors individually accounted for approximately 15% or more of our consolidated subscribers and collectively accounted for 44% of our subscribers during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013. Two of our distributors individually accounted for approximately 15% or more of our consolidated subscribers and collectively accounted for 45% of our subscribers during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014. The loss of one of these distributors could have an adverse impact on the Company’s operations.
	Three and four of our programming content providers individually accounted for more than 10% of our total license fee programming and collectively accounted for 71% and 73% of the consolidated programming liability as of September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively. The loss of any one of these programming content providers could have an adverse impact on the Company’s operations.
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.
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 April 2014, the FASB issued an accounting standard update that changes the definition of a discontinued operation to include only those disposals of components of an entity that represent a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. The amendments in this accounting standard update should be applied prospectively and are effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those years, beginning on or after December 15, 2014. Early adoption is permitted for disposals that have not been reported in financial statements previously issued. The Company adopted this new standard 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.

Programming_Rights_Tables

Programming Rights (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Programming Rights	'
Schedule of programming rights	'
		As of December 31,			As of September 30,
		2013			2014
		(In thousands)
	Programming rights — non-affiliates
	Acquired programming
	Licensed for less than 12 years	$	261,654		$	295,030
	Original programming
	Licensed for less than 12 years	171,024			199,110
	Licensed for 12 years or longer	29,115			44,942
	Owned	18,542			31,116
	Programming rights— Hallmark Cards affiliates
	Licensed for less than 12 years	25,054			25,694
	Programming rights, at cost	505,389			595,892
	Accumulated amortization	(231,913		)	(303,575		)
	Programming rights available for broadcast	273,476			292,317
	Owned programming in development	—			7,697
	Programming rights, net	$	273,476		$	300,014
Schedule of programming rights payable	'
		As of December 31,			As of September 30,
		2013			2014
		(In thousands)
	Programming rights payable — non-affiliates
	Acquired programming	$	98,670		$	96,163
	Original programming	15,208			13,660
	Programming rights payable — Hallmark Cards affiliates	14,996			14,297
	Total programming rights payable	128,874			124,120
	Less current maturities	(85,560		)	(73,232		)
	Long-term programming rights payable	$	43,314		$	50,888

Revolving_Credit_Facilities_Te1

Revolving Credit Facilities, Term Loan, and the Notes (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Revolving Credit Facilities, Term Loan, and the Notes	'
Schedule of aggregate maturities of long-term debt including estimated future interest for each of the five years	'
	The aggregate maturities of long-term debt, including estimated future interest for each of the five years subsequent to September 30, 2014, and the period thereafter, are as follows:
		Payments Due by Period
		Total		Year 1		Year 2		Year 3		Year 4		Year 5		Thereafter
		(In thousands)
	Notes, due July 15, 2019	$	444,543	$	30,608	$	30,608	$	30,608	$	30,608	$	322,111	$	—
	Term Loan, due July 14, 2018	138,021		4,852		4,865		4,852		123,452		—		—
		$	582,564	$	35,460	$	35,473	$	35,460	$	154,060	$	322,111	$	—

Fair_Value_Tables

Fair Value (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value	'
Schedule of the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the company's financial instruments	'
		December 31, 2013				September 30, 2014
		Carrying		Fair		Carrying		Fair
		Amount		Value		Amount		Value
		(In thousands)
	Term Loan and interest payable (Level 3)	$	154,347	$	150,894	$	118,120	$	116,725
	The Notes and interest payable (Level 2)	314,438		355,026		297,880		329,785

Business_and_Organization_Deta

Business and Organization (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
	item
Business and Organization	'
Number of operating segments	1

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	'	'	'	'	'
Bad debt expense	$10,000	$504,000	$123,000	$794,000	'
Barter Transactions	'	'	'	'	'
Barter advertising revenue	376,000	224,000	1,700,000	1,400,000	'
Barter expense	525,000	196,000	1,900,000	1,300,000	'
Deferred Revenue	'	'	'	'	'
Deferred revenue	3,900,000	'	3,900,000	'	699,000
Deferred revenue, non current	$6,500,000	'	$6,500,000	'	$0

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates (Details 2)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
	item	item	item	item
Subscriber revenue | Distributors concentration	'	'	'	'
Concentration of Risk	'	'	'	'
Concentration of risk (as a percent)	88.00%	88.00%	88.00%	88.00%
Number of major distributors	5	5	5	5
Threshold for concentration of risk (as a percent)	'	'	10.00%	10.00%
Hallmark Channel subscribers | Distributors concentration	'	'	'	'
Concentration of Risk	'	'	'	'
Concentration of risk (as a percent)	45.00%	44.00%	45.00%	44.00%
Number of major distributors	2	2	2	2
Threshold for concentration of risk (as a percent)	15.00%	15.00%	15.00%	15.00%
Programming rights | Programming content providers concentration	'	'	'	'
Concentration of Risk	'	'	'	'
Concentration of risk (as a percent)	'	'	73.00%	71.00%
Number of programming content providers	'	'	4	3
Threshold for concentration of risk (as a percent)	'	'	10.00%	10.00%

Programming_Rights_Details

Programming Rights (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 01, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Hallmark Cards affiliates

Hallmark Cards affiliates

Hallmark Cards

Hallmark Cards

Non-Affiliates

Non-Affiliates

Non-Affiliates

Non-Affiliates

Sonar

Sonar

Sonar

Acquired programming

Acquired programming

Original programming

Original programming

Hallmark Cards affiliates

Hallmark Cards affiliates

Programming Rights

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Licensed for less than 12 years

'

'

'

'

'

$25,694,000

$25,054,000

'

'

$295,030,000

$261,654,000

$199,110,000

$171,024,000

'

'

'

Licensed for 12 years or longer

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

44,942,000

29,115,000

'

'

'

Owned

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

31,116,000

18,542,000

'

'

'

Programming rights, at cost

595,892,000

'

595,892,000

'

505,389,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accumulated amortization

-303,575,000

'

-303,575,000

'

-231,913,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Programming rights available for broadcast

292,317,000

'

292,317,000

'

273,476,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Owned programming in development

7,697,000

'

7,697,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Programming rights, net

300,014,000

'

300,014,000

'

273,476,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shortened estimated remaining life of programming rights

'

'

'0 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Additional amortization of programming rights

0

16,000

7,000

2,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Programming rights, included in prepaid programming rights

43,800,000

'

43,800,000

'

36,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Programming rights payable

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total programming rights payable

124,120,000

'

124,120,000

'

128,874,000

14,297,000

14,996,000

'

'

96,163,000

98,670,000

13,660,000

15,208,000

'

'

'

Less current maturities

-73,232,000

'

-73,232,000

'

-85,560,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term programming rights payable

50,888,000

'

50,888,000

'

43,314,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrecorded license agreement obligation

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,300,000

'

'

Reclassification from programming rights payable (to non-affiliates) to payables to Hallmark Cards affiliates

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,400,000

1,500,000

Payments for license

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,900,000

2,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Payable for license

'

'

'

'

'

'

$0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revolving_Credit_Facilities_Te2

Revolving Credit Facilities, Term Loan, and the Notes (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 29, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 29, 2013

Mar. 29, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Credit agreement

Credit agreement

Senior secured super-priority revolving credit facility

Senior secured super-priority revolving credit facility

Senior secured super-priority revolving credit facility

Senior secured super-priority revolving credit facility

Senior secured super-priority revolving credit facility

Senior secured term loan facility

Senior secured term loan facility

Senior secured term loan facility

Senior secured term loan facility

Senior secured term loan facility

Senior secured term loan facility

Senior secured term loan facility

Senior secured term loan facility

Senior secured term loan facility

Senior secured term loan facility

Senior secured term loan facility

Senior secured term loan facility

Senior secured term loan facility

Senior secured term loan facility

Senior secured term loan facility

Senior secured term loan facility

Senior secured term loan facility

Letter of Credit

Letter of Credit

Notes

Notes

Notes

Notes

Notes

LIBOR

LIBOR

LIBOR

Maximum

Consolidated leverage ratio, equal to or less than 4.25 to 1 but greater than 3.25 to 1

Consolidated leverage ratio, equal to or less than 4.25 to 1 but greater than 3.25 to 1

Consolidated leverage ratio, equal to or less than 4.25 to 1 but greater than 3.25 to 1

Consolidated leverage ratio, equal to or less than 3.25 to 1

Consolidated leverage ratio, equal to or less than 3.25 to 1

item

item

Maximum

Minimum

Maximum

Credit Facilities and Term Loan

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum borrowing capacity

'

'

'

'

'

$30,000,000

'

$30,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Costs incurred in connection with the amendment

'

'

'

1,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Discount rate at issuance (as a percent)

'

'

'

0.25%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Discount at issuance

'

'

'

430,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt issuance costs capitalized

8,648,000

8,648,000

10,047,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Third-party debt issuance costs

'

'

'

'

260,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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 Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Quarterly principal payments made

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

430,000

430,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Voluntary principal payments made

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15,000,000

'

'

15,000,000

'

15,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Additional principal payments required as a percentage of excess cash flow

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50.00%

25.00%

'

'

0.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Consolidated leverage ratio

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4.25

3.25

'

3.25

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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 borrowings

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

0

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Outstanding balance under the Term Loan, net of unamortized discount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

118,100,000

'

118,100,000

'

154,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Principal payment on debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

11,500,000

15,400,000

36,500,000

33,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest expense

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

1,600,000

2,000,000

5,100,000

6,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8,000,000

8,100,000

24,100,000

24,200,000

Effective interest rate (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

11.00%

11.00%

11.00%

11.00%

Effective interest rate (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5.10%

4.87%

5.03%

5.39%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average nominal interest rate (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4.05%

4.05%

4.05%

4.69%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of letters of credit outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1

1

'

'

'

'

'

Amount of letter of credit outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

202,000

202,000

'

'

'

'

'

Commitment fees on unused revolving credit commitment (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

0.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Commitment fee expense

'

'

'

'

'

38,000

38,000

113,000

113,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Purchase price of notes repurchased

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

9,500,000

'

'

'

'

Face value of notes repurchased

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8,500,000

'

'

'

'

Debt issuance costs retired

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

160,000

'

'

'

'

Pre-tax loss on early extinguishment of debt

$1,180,000

$1,180,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1,200,000

'

'

'

'

Revolving_Credit_Facilities_Te3

Revolving Credit Facilities, Term Loan, and the Notes (Details 2) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
	item
Aggregate maturities of long-term debt including future interest for each of the five years	'
Total	$582,564
Year 1	35,460
Year 2	35,473
Year 3	35,460
Year 4	154,060
Year 5	322,111
Guarantees	'
Amount of independent assets	0
Amount of independent operations	0
Number of subsidiaries that are not guarantors	0
Notes, due July 15, 2019	'
Aggregate maturities of long-term debt including future interest for each of the five years	'
Total	444,543
Year 1	30,608
Year 2	30,608
Year 3	30,608
Year 4	30,608
Year 5	322,111
Term Loan, due July 14, 2018	'
Aggregate maturities of long-term debt including future interest for each of the five years	'
Total	138,021
Year 1	4,852
Year 2	4,865
Year 3	4,852
Year 4	$123,452

Related_Party_Transactions_Det

Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Related Party Transactions	'	'
Payables to Hallmark Cards affiliates	$593,000	$466,000
Hallmark Cards | State tax sharing agreement	'	'
Related Party Transactions	'	'
Amount reimbursed	385,000	264,000
Amount owed under tax sharing agreement	39,000	'
Period prior to due date of state tax returns when amount will be payable	'	'2 days
Hallmark Cards | Services Agreement	'	'
Related Party Transactions	'	'
Fees for related party services	342,000	347,000
Hallmark Cards affiliates	'	'
Related Party Transactions	'	'
Payables to Hallmark Cards affiliates	593,000	466,000
Amount of taxes paid on behalf of the entity	583,000	465,000
Amount of invoice payment made on behalf of the entity	$10,000	$1,000

Related_Party_Transactions_Det1

Related Party Transactions (Details 2) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2008	Jul. 06, 2013	Jul. 06, 2011	Sep. 30, 2014
	item	Trademark licenses	Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions, LLC	Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions, LLC	Hallmark Cards	Hallmark Cards	Hallmark Cards
			Exclusive television license	Exclusive television license	item	item	Maximum
			item	item			item
Related Party Transactions	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of movies under agreement	'	'	16	58	2	6	'
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	'	'	'
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	'	'	'
Period of license of titles	'	'	'	'	'7 days	'7 days	'
Term of contract	'	'	'	'	'	'2 years	'
Number of movies premiered under agreement	'	'	'	'	'	'	2
Advertising revenue to be recognized	'	'	'	'	2,100,000	4,400,000	'
Number of movies aired on Hallmark Channel	3	'	'	'	'	'	'
Licenses amount reflected in the condensed consolidated balance sheets	'	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	'	'	'	'	'

Restricted_Stock_Units_and_Lon1

Restricted Stock Units and Long Term Incentive Plan (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
RSUs	'	'	'	'	'
Share-Based Compensation	'	'	'	'	'
Compensation benefit	$1,000	'	'	'	'
Compensation expense included in selling, general and administrative expense	'	86,000	36,000	210,000	'
Cash Settlement Amount	'	'	185,000	257,000	'
Unrecognized compensation costs	'	'	'	'	$40,000
Common stock	'	'	'	'	'
Share-Based Compensation	'	'	'	'	'
Closing price per share used for RSU liability calculation (in dollars per share)	'	'	'	'	$3.53

Restricted_Stock_Units_and_Lon2

Restricted Stock Units and Long Term Incentive Plan (Details 2) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2012

Jun. 30, 2011

Mar. 31, 2010

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2012

Jun. 30, 2011

Mar. 31, 2010

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2012

Jun. 30, 2011

Mar. 31, 2010

Sep. 05, 2014

Sep. 06, 2013

Aug. 31, 2012

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2014

Mar. 14, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Aug. 19, 2014

Aug. 23, 2013

LTI Agreements

LTI Agreements

LTI Agreements

LTI Agreements

LTI Agreements

Employee

Employee

Employee

Employee

Employee

Employee

Employee

Employee

Employee

Employee

Employee

Employee

Employee

Employee

Employee

Employee

Employee

Employee

Employee

Employee

Employee

Employee

Employee

Employee

Employee

Employee

Employee

Employee

Employee

Independent Director

Independent Director

Independent Director

Independent Director

Independent Director

Independent Director

Independent Director

2012 Plan

2012 Plan

2012 Plan

2012 Plan

2012 Plan

2012 Plan

2012 Plan

2012 Plan

2012 Plan

2012 Plan

2012 Plan

2012 Plan

2012 Plan

2012 Plan

2012 Plan

2012 Plan

2012 Plan

2012 Plan

2012 Plan

2012 Plan

2012 Plan

2012 Plan

2012 Plan

2012 Plan

2012 Plan

2012 Plan

2012 Plan

2012 Plan

2012 Plan

LTI Agreements

LTI Agreements

LTI Agreements

LTI Agreements

LTI Agreements

LTI Agreements

LTI Agreements

Low end of range

Low end of range

Low end of range

Low end of range

Low end of range

High end of range

High end of range

High end of range

High end of range

High end of range

Employment Award

Employment Award

Employment Award

Employment Award

Employment Award

Employment Award

Employment Award

Employment Award

Performance Award

Performance Award

Performance Award

Performance Award

Performance Award

Awards granted in 2012 through 2014

Awards granted in 2012 through 2014

Awards granted in 2010 through 2012

Awards granted in 2010 through 2012

Awards granted in 2013 and 2014

Awards granted in 2013 and 2014

Performance Award

Performance Award

Performance Award

Performance Award

Performance Award

Performance Award

Performance Award

Low end of range

High end of range

Employment Award

Performance Award

Employment Award

Performance Award

Long Term Incentive Plan

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Target amount of an award granted based on percentage of each employee's annual base salary

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

18.00%

85.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Performance period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Incentive compensation granted

'

'

'

'

'

$27,000

$20,000

$22,000

$23,000

$25,000

$707,000

$680,000

$652,000

$550,000

$536,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$50,000

$50,000

'

$35,000

$20,000

'

'

Additional target award

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50,000

'

'

'

'

Portion of award in each grant (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

40.00%

40.00%

50.00%

50.00%

50.00%

'

'

'

60.00%

60.00%

50.00%

'

'

'

'

50.00%

50.00%

40.00%

60.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount settled in cash

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,500,000

1,500,000

1,200,000

'

640,000

'

'

1,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

262,000

132,000

Period after issuance date of audited financials within which award will be settled in cash

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'15 days

'15 days

'15 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'15 days

'15 days

'15 days

'

'

'

'

Compensation expense included in selling, general and administrative expense

1,000,000

1,000,000

2,900,000

2,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Liability related to agreement included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities

$4,600,000

'

$4,600,000

'

$5,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair_Value_Details

Fair Value (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value	'	'
Transfers between levels	$0	$0
Carrying Amount | Level 3 | Term Loan, due July 14, 2018	'	'
Fair Value	'	'
Long-term debt and interest payable	118,120,000	154,347,000
Carrying Amount | Level 2 | Notes	'	'
Fair Value	'	'
Long-term debt and interest payable	297,880,000	314,438,000
Fair Value | Level 3	'	'
Fair Value	'	'
Long-term debt and interest payable	116,700,000	150,900,000
Fair Value | Level 3 | Term Loan, due July 14, 2018	'	'
Fair Value	'	'
Long-term debt and interest payable	116,725,000	150,894,000
Fair Value | Level 2 | Notes	'	'
Fair Value	'	'
Long-term debt and interest payable	$329,785,000	$355,026,000

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Taxes	'	'	'	'
Percentage of loss carryforwards used against AMT income	'	'	90.00%	'
AMT paid	$650,000	$525,000	$1,900,000	$1,600,000
Income tax expense recognized for alternative minimum tax	$489,000	$336,000	$1,400,000	$1,300,000

Income_Taxes_Details_2

Income Taxes (Details 2) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Operating loss carryforwards	'	'
Valuation allowance related to NOLs	$0	'
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	'
Accrued interest related to uncertain tax positions	0	0
Federal	'	'
Operating loss carryforwards	'	'
Net operating losses	'	$571,600,000

Subsequent_Events_Details

Subsequent Events (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014
			Notes, due July 15, 2019	Subsequent event
				Notes, due July 15, 2019
Subsequent Events	'	'	'	'
Face value of notes repurchased	'	'	$8,500,000	$20,000,000
Purchase price of notes repurchased	'	'	9,500,000	22,100,000
Debt issuance costs retired	'	'	160,000	368,000
Pre-tax loss on early extinguishment of debt	$1,180,000	$1,180,000	$1,200,000	$2,500,000