Crown Media 10-Q 1 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 28, 2015
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	CROWN MEDIA HOLDINGS INC
Entity Central Index Key	1103837
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		359,675,936
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$64,254	$60,888
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $265 and $394, respectively	99,639	118,277
Programming rights	89,404	85,950
Prepaid programming rights	34,516	33,844
Deferred tax assets, net	46,900	46,900
Prepaid and other assets	3,436	3,459
Total current assets	338,149	349,318
Programming rights	238,706	221,664
Prepaid programming rights	2,958	5,938
Property and equipment, net	10,054	10,763
Deferred tax assets, net	137,310	147,468
Debt issuance costs, net	7,454	7,878
Prepaid and other assets	4,915	5,051
Goodwill	314,033	314,033
Total assets	1,053,579	1,062,113
LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	22,461	29,588
Audience deficiency reserve liability	6,118	5,926
Programming rights payable	72,453	66,726
Payables to Hallmark Cards affiliates	195	150
Interest payable	5,950	13,079
Current maturities of long-term debt		20,000
Total current liabilities	107,177	135,469
Accrued liabilities	19,137	17,629
Programming rights payable	45,319	45,676
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	369,802	369,701
Total liabilities	541,435	568,475
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, 2014 and 2015	3,597	3,597
Paid-in capital	2,062,818	2,062,818
Accumulated deficit	-1,554,271	-1,572,777
Total stockholders' equity	512,144	493,638
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$1,053,579	$1,062,113

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts (in dollars)	$394	$265
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
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Revenue:
Advertising	$78,378	$68,526
Advertising by Hallmark Cards	759	855
Subscriber fees	20,896	21,014
Other revenue	479	280
Total revenue, net	100,512	90,675
Programming costs
Non-affiliates	33,818	39,313
Hallmark Cards affiliate	940	848
Other costs of services	4,585	3,568
Total cost of services	39,343	43,729
Selling, general and administrative expense (exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense shown separately below)	17,442	16,001
Marketing expense	4,608	1,149
Depreciation and amortization expense	679	508
Income from operations before interest, income tax expense and discontinued operations	38,440	29,288
Interest income	48
Interest expense	-9,137	-10,311
Income before income tax expense and discontinued operations	29,351	18,977
Income tax benefit (expense)	-10,845	-6,939
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$18,506	$12,038
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, basic and diluted (in shares)	359,676	359,676
Net income per common share, basic and diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.05	$0.03

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$18,506	$12,038
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	36,515	41,734
Provision for allowance for doubtful accounts	130	5
Income tax (benefit) expense	10,251	6,554
Non-cash compensation		30
Loss on sale of property and equipment	8
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Decrease in accounts receivable	18,507	16,103
Additions to programming rights	-55,254	-79,491
(Increase) decrease in prepaid and other assets	1,995	-3,801
(Increase) decrease in accounts payable, accrued and other liabilities	4,945	-4,653
Decrease in interest payable	-7,174	-7,879
Increase in programming rights payable	5,370	14,617
Increase in payables to Hallmark Cards affiliates		6
Gain on sale of property and equipment	-8
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	23,909	4,569
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property and equipment	-201	-165
Disposal of property and equipment	5
Net cash used in investing activities	-196	-165
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Principal payments on the Term Loan	-20,000	-25,000
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	-347	-320
Net cash used in financing activities	-20,347	-25,320
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	3,366	-20,916
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	60,888	63,750
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	64,254	42,834
Supplemental disclosure of cash and non-cash activities:
Interest paid	15,815	17,639
Income taxes paid	109	39
Capital expenditures included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$137	$334

Business_and_Organization

Business and Organization	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Business and Organization
Business and Organization
	1. Business and Organization
	Crown Media Holdings 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 through its subsidiaries 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	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets and related interim unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and cash flows include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring items necessary for their fair presentation in conformity with GAAP. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. These unaudited 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, 2014.
	Basis of Presentation
	The unaudited 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 GAAP 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 GAAP 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, the fair value of film assets, 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, the financial condition of specific customers and collection trends. The Company’s bad debt expense was $5,000 and $130,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2015, 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 of the advertising spots conveyed 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 $501,000 and $982,000 in barter advertising revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2015, respectively. The Company recognized $447,000 and $881,000 in barter expense included in programming costs on the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2015, respectively.
	Film Assets Included in Long Term Programming Rights
	The Company amortizes its film assets using the individual-film-forecast-computation method. The individual-film-forecast-computation method amortizes such assets in the same ratio that current period actual revenue bears to estimated ultimate future revenues.
	On a quarterly basis, the Company assesses whether events or circumstances have changed indicating that the fair value of a film is lower than its unamortized cost or carrying value. If the carrying value of any individual film asset exceeds its fair value, the film asset is written-down to its estimated fair value.
	The Company reviews its estimates of ultimate future revenues and participation costs as of each reporting date to reflect currently available information. Estimated ultimate future revenues are based on sales plans and other factors, all of which require significant judgment and estimation by management. Differences between amortization expense determined using the new estimates and any amounts previously expensed during that current fiscal year are charged or credited to the statement of operations in the period in which the estimates are revised.
	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, 2014 and March 31, 2015, are $2.9 million and $2.4 million, respectively, of deferred revenue. Further, $5.9 million and $7.6 million, respectively, are included in the long-term portion of accrued liabilities as of December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2015.
	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. The Company determines 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 stock by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share for each period is computed by dividing net income attributable to common stock by the weighted average number of common shares plus potentially dilutive common shares outstanding except whenever any such effect would be antidilutive.
	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 the Company’s distributors individually accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s consolidated subscriber revenue and collectively accounted for 88% and 87% of the Company’s consolidated subscriber revenue during both the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2015.  Two of the Company’s distributors individually accounted for approximately 15% or more of the Company’s consolidated subscribers and collectively accounted for 45% of the Company’s subscribers during each of the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2015. The loss of one of these distributors could have a significant impact on the Company’s operations.
	Four of the Company’s programming content providers individually accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s total programming rights payable and collectively accounted for 74% and 67% of the consolidated programming rights payable as of March 31, 2014 and 2015, respectively. The loss of one of these program content providers could have a significant 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 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 ASU No. 2014-09 on its financial position and results of operations.
	In January 2015, the FASB issued new accounting rules that remove the concept of extraordinary items from U.S. GAAP. Under the existing guidance, an entity is required to separately disclose extraordinary items, net of tax, in the income statement after income from continuing operations if an event or transaction is of an unusual nature and occurs infrequently. This separate, net of tax presentation (and corresponding earnings per share impact) will no longer be allowed. The new rules will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2016. The Company does not expect the adoption of the new accounting rules to have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
	In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Interest — Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. This guidance requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability. This guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and requires retrospective application. The Company expects to adopt this guidance when effective, and does not expect this guidance to have a significant impact on its financial position and results of operations, although it will change the financial statement classification of its debt issuance costs. As of March 31, 2015, $7.5 million of debt issuance costs were included in total assets in the Company’s accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet. Under the new guidance, the debt issuance costs would reduce its total debt.

Programming_Rights

Programming Rights	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Programming Rights
Programming Rights
	3. Programming Rights
	Programming rights are comprised of the following:
		As of December 31,			As of March 31,
		2014			2015
		(In thousands)
	Programming rights—non-affiliates
	Acquired programming
	Licensed for less than 12 years	$	298,731		$	309,583
	Original programming
	Licensed for less than 12 years	200,760			213,509
	Licensed for 12 years or longer	62,585			75,470
	Owned	43,271			48,835
	Programming rights—Hallmark Cards affiliates
	Licensed for less than 12 years	25,694			25,694
	Programming rights, at cost	631,041			673,091
	Accumulated amortization	(325,046		)	(351,693		)
	Programming rights available for broadcast	305,995			321,398
	Owned programming in development	1,619			6,712
	Programming rights, net	$	307,614		$	328,110
	In the regular course of evaluating the remaining usefulness of its various program rights, the Company may determine that certain rights may be of little future value. In such instances, the Company shortens the estimated remaining life of the asset often to zero, thereby accelerating amortization of the remaining net book value. During the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2015, such changes in estimates resulted in additional amortization of programming rights of $7,000 and $0, respectively.
	At December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2015, $39.8 million and $37.5 million, respectively, of programming rights were included in prepaid programming rights in the accompanying unaudited 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 March 31,
		2014			2015
		(In thousands)
	Programming rights payable—non-affiliates
	Acquired programming	$	88,856		$	92,290
	Original programming	9,923			12,482
	Programming rights payable—Hallmark Cards affiliates	13,623			13,000
	Total programming rights payable	112,402			117,772
	Less current maturities	(66,726		)	(72,453		)
	Long-term programming rights payable	$	45,676		$	45,319

Revolving_Credit_Facility_Term

Revolving Credit Facility, Term Loan, and the Notes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Revolving Credit Facility, Term Loan, and the Notes
Revolving Credit Facility, Term Loan, and the Notes
	4. Revolving Credit Facility, Term Loan, and the Notes
	Credit Facility and Term Loan
	The Company has an amended credit facility with a lender syndicate that provides for a $210.0 million Term Loan and a $30.0 million revolving credit facility.  The amended revolving credit facility matures on January 14, 2018. At December 31, 2014, and March 31, 2015, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility.
	The amended credit agreement contains a number of affirmative and negative covenants.  The Company was in compliance with these covenants as of March 31, 2015.
	At December 31, 2014, and March 31, 2015, the outstanding balance under the Term Loan, net of unamortized discount, was $118.2 million and $98.3 million, respectively. The Company made principal payments of $25.0 million and $20.0 million under the Term Loan during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2015, respectively.
	Interest expense under the Term Loan was $1.8 million and $1.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2015, respectively. The effective interest rate was approximately 4.97% and 5.25% during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2015, respectively. The weighted average nominal interest rate was approximately 4.05% during each of the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2015.
	Interest expense under the revolving credit facility for both the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2015, was $0. One letter of credit was outstanding in the amount of $202,000 at both December 31, 2014, and March 31, 2015. 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-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2015, was $37,000.
	The Notes
	The Company was in compliance with its covenants related to the Notes as of March 31, 2015.
	Interest expense under the Notes was $8.1 million and $7.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2015, respectively. After giving effect to the amortization of associated debt issuance costs, the effective interest rate of the Notes was approximately 11.0% during both the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2015.
	Debt Service Requirements
	Debt service requirements, including estimated future interest, for each of the five years subsequent to March 31, 2015 and the period thereafter, are as follows:
		Payments Due by Period
		Total		Year 1		Year 2		Year 3		Year 4		Year 5
	Notes, due July 15, 2019	$	399,789	$	28,508	$	28,508	$	28,508	$	28,508	$	285,757
	Term Loan, due July 14, 2018	112,933		4,052		4,041		4,041		100,799		—
		$	512,722	$	32,560	$	32,549	$	32,549	$	129,307	$	285,757
	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 in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, 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	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Related Party Transactions
Related Party Transactions
	5. Related Party Transactions
	State Tax Sharing Agreements
	During 2014, the Company reimbursed Hallmark Cards approximately $385,000 with respect to the state tax sharing agreement with Hallmark Cards for the 2013 tax year. For the tax year ended December 31, 2014, it is estimated that the Company will owe Hallmark Cards approximately $75,000 with respect to the state tax sharing agreement, which will be paid during 2015. This amount will be payable two days prior to the due date of the state tax returns. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, it is estimated that the Company will owe Hallmark Cards approximately $52,000 with respect to the state tax sharing agreement, which will be paid during 2016.
	The state tax sharing agreement will continue to apply as long as the Company is included in Hallmark Cards’ consolidated or combined returns. The Company expects it will continue to be included in Hallmark Cards’ consolidated or combined returns for certain states.
	Services Agreement with Hallmark Cards
	Hallmark Cards provides Crown Media Holdings with tax, risk management, health, safety, environmental, insurance, legal, treasury, human resources, cash management and real estate consulting services. In exchange, the Company is obligated to pay Hallmark Cards a fee, plus out-of-pocket expenses and third party fees, in arrears on the last business day of each month. Fees for Hallmark Cards’ services were $342,000 for 2014 and are expected to be $389,000 for 2015.
	At December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2015, the Company’s payables to Hallmark Cards affiliates in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets were $150,000 and $195,000, respectively, the balances of which were comprised of taxes.
	“Hallmark Hall of Fame” Programming License Agreement
	In 2008, Crown Media United States entered into an agreement with Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions, LLC for the exclusive television license of 58 “Hallmark Hall of Fame” movies, consisting of 16 contemporary Hallmark Hall of Fame titles (i.e., produced from 2003 to 2008) and 42 older titles, for exhibition on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark 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.
	Effective October 1, 2014, Crown Media United States entered into an additional agreement with Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions, LLC for the exclusive television license of “Hallmark Hall of Fame” movies produced from 2014 through 2016, for exhibition on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies and Mysteries. These titles are licensed for ten-year windows, with windows commencing at times as agreed to by the parties. The license fee for these movies is $660,000 per movie and is payable in equal yearly installments over the license term.
	Effective July 6, 2013, the Company and Hallmark Cards extended their July 6, 2011 agreement for another year, whereby Hallmark Cards purchased advertising time from the Company and provided one-week, limited play licenses for each of two new “Hallmark Hall of Fame” two-hour movies produced by Hallmark Cards and up to two additional Hallmark Hall of Fame movies premiered in a previous year. The Company recognized advertising revenue of approximately $2.1 million as it fulfilled its advertising obligation to Hallmark Cards.
	Effective September 12, 2014, the Company entered into an agreement with Hallmark Cards whereby Hallmark Cards has and will continue to purchase advertising time from the Company and has and will continue to provide exclusive premier rights to the two new “Hallmark Hall of Fame” two-hour movies, which have been produced. Additionally, the Company has exclusive rights to broadcast two “Hallmark Hall of Fame” two-hour movies, which have premiered in a previous year. The Company will receive a total payment from Hallmark Cards of $3.0 million under this agreement in connection with Hallmark Cards’ advertising on Hallmark Channel. The Company recognized advertising revenue of approximately $3.4 million as it fulfilled its advertising obligations to Hallmark Cards. As of March 31, 2015, three movies have aired on Hallmark Channel.
	Hallmark Cards owed the Company $978,000 at March 31, 2015, for marketing fees surrounding the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie that aired in January 2015 that the Company paid on Hallmark Cards’ behalf.
	Northpole
	The Company has produced Northpole, a Hallmark Channel original holiday movie, which premiered during the 2014 holiday season. It was the first full-length, two-hour original holiday movie produced by Hallmark Channel based on Hallmark Cards’ intellectual property. Costs in the amount of $6.6 million related to this movie have been capitalized and are included in long term programming rights on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets at both December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2015. The Company recognized licensing revenue of approximately $900,000 related to a merchandising rights agreement during the year ended December 31, 2014, and $0 for the three months ended March 31, 2015.
	Northpole II
	The Company is producing Northpole II, a Hallmark Channel original holiday movie, which will premier during the 2015 holiday season. It will be the second full-length, two-hour original holiday movie being produced by Hallmark Channel based on Hallmark Cards’ intellectual property. Costs in the amount of $5.4 million related to this movie have been capitalized and are included in long term programming rights on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2015. The Company anticipates similar merchandising rights agreements 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. The agreement terminates upon the earlier of (i) July 14, 2019 and (ii) the later of (x) the expiration or termination of the amended 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 unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets or unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations of the Company for these licenses.
	Under the license agreement, the Company would be in default if it (i) failed to make any payment due under any loan agreement within five days of its due date or (ii) receive an opinion from its auditors that expresses their doubt with respect to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

Long_Term_Incentive_Plan

Long Term Incentive Plan	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Restricted Stock Units and Long Term Incentive Plan
Long Term Incentive Plan
	6. 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 2015, 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 through 2015, 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 (cash flow before interest, taxes and dividends and long term incentive expense and equity based compensation and debt repayment) and an adjusted EBITDA goal (before long term incentive expense and equity based compensation) over a three year performance period.
	Each of the 40% Employment Awards are subject to continued employment and each of the 60% Performance Awards are subject to the Company’s achievement of financial performance criteria. Each award will be settled in cash and is subject to earlier pro rata settlement as provided in the 2012 Plan.
	Changes in the employee long term incentive plan account are as follows:
		Granted Incentive
		Compensation Range					Vesting Date			Settlement (in thousands)
	Grant	Low		High			Employment		Performance	Employment Awards			Performance Awards
	Date	Grant		Grant			Awards		Awards	Date	Amount		Date	Amount
	4/25/11	$	23,000	$	550,000		8/31/13		12/31/13	9/6/13	$	1,452	3/14/14	$	1,551
	3/1/12	$	22,000	$	652,000		8/31/14		12/31/14	9/5/14	$	1,509	3/6/15	$	1,938
	3/1/13	$	20,000	$	680,000		12/31/15		12/31/15	N/A	$	—	N/A	$	—
	3/1/14	$	27,000	$	707,000		12/31/16		12/31/16	N/A	$	—	N/A	$	—
	3/1/15	$	29,000	$	741,000		12/31/17		12/31/17	N/A	$	—	N/A	$	—
	Independent Directors
	The Company entered into agreements (“LTI Agreements”) granting 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 Company’s board and achievement of the financial performance criteria. Each award will be settled in cash and is subject to earlier pro rata settlement as provided in each LTI Agreement.
	Changes in the independent director long term incentive plan account are as follows:
	Grant					Settlement
	Date	Grant Amount		Vesting Date		Date		Amount
	8/17/12	$	50,000	12/31/14		3/4/15		$	306,000
	3/1/13	$	50,000	12/31/15		N/A		$	—
	8/16/13	$	35,000	8/15/14		8/19/14		$	262,000
	3/1/14	$	50,000	12/31/16		N/A		$	—
	3/1/15	$	50,000	12/31/17		N/A		$	—
	Vesting
	Vesting of the 2013, 2014 and 2015 performance awards under the LTI Agreements will be determined in accordance with the Company’s performance criteria concerning adjusted EBITDA and cash flow and subject to earlier pro rata settlement as provided in each LTI Agreement.
	In recognition of these LTI Agreements, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations include $884,000 and $872,000 among selling, general and administrative expense for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2015, respectively. Additionally, the $5.9 million and $4.5 million liabilities for these agreements were included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2014, and March 31, 2015, respectively.

Fair_Value

Fair Value	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value.
Fair Value
	7. Fair Value
	The following table presents the carrying amounts (including interest) and estimated fair values (including interest) of the Company’s financial instruments at December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2015.
		December 31, 2014				March 31, 2015
		Carrying		Fair		Carrying		Fair
		Amount		Value		Amount		Value
		(In thousands)
	Term Loan and interest payable (Level 3)	$	118,212	$	115,975	$	98,310	$	97,603
	The Notes and interest payable (Level 2)	284,569		309,256		277,442		293,435
	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, 2014 and March 31, 2015, 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, 2014 and March 31, 2015, the fair values of the Level 3 financial instruments were $116.0 million and $97.6 million, respectively. No transfers between levels occurred during 2014 and 2015.
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities and receivable are carried at reasonable estimates of their fair values because of the short-term nature of these instruments. Interest rates on borrowings under the bank credit facility are for relatively short periods and variable. Therefore, the fair value of this debt is not significantly affected by fluctuations in interest rates. The credit spread on the debt is fixed, but the market rate will fluctuate. Only a significant change in the creditworthiness of the Company would impact the credit spread. The Company believes that there has not been a significant change in this regard since issuance.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 and programming contracts.
	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.
	International Residual and Participation Obligation
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities as of both December 31, 2014, and March 31, 2015, includes $1.5 million for the estimated cost of residuals and participations that the buyer of our international business (which included the international rights to our film library) would otherwise be obligated to pay to third parties in connection with international film library sales between the April 2005 sale and April 2015.  The Company’s actual cost of this obligation will depend on the actual internal usage or sales of these films by the buyer.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Taxes
Income Taxes
	9.  Income Taxes
	The Company files a separate-company federal tax return. In 2013 and 2014 the Company generated federal and state taxable income for both regular tax and alternative minimum tax (“AMT”) purposes.  For regular tax purposes, this income was, and the Company expects it will continue to be, fully offset by net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”).  However, for federal AMT purposes, loss carryforwards used to offset the AMT income are subject to a 90% limitation.
	In March 2014, the Company paid AMT of $38,000. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company recognized AMT of $385,000 and this amount is included as a component of accrued liabilities on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. In March 2015, the Company paid AMT of $61,000. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company recognized an AMT obligation of $594,000 and this amount is included as a component of accrued liabilities on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet.
	At December 31, 2014, the Company had federal NOLs of $447.3 million and various state NOLs. The Company maintains a $3.4 million valuation allowance against net deferred tax assets, which are comprised of state NOLs that the Company does not anticipate being able to realize. The federal NOLs will expire between 2019 and 2021, and the state NOLs will expire between 2016 and 2032.
	At both December 31, 2014, and March 31, 2015, 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, 2014, and March 31, 2015, there is no accrued interest related to uncertain tax positions.
	By virtue of its previous inclusion in Hallmark Cards consolidated tax group, the Company is subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for periods subsequent to March 10, 2003. Further, NOLs 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 as those NOLs are utilized in future tax returns.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates
Interim Financial Statements
	Interim Financial Statements
	In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets and related interim unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and cash flows include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring items necessary for their fair presentation in conformity with GAAP. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. These unaudited 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, 2014.
Basis of Presentation
	Basis of Presentation
	The unaudited 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 GAAP 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 GAAP 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, the fair value of film assets, 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, the financial condition of specific customers and collection trends. The Company’s bad debt expense was $5,000 and $130,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2015, 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 of the advertising spots conveyed 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 $501,000 and $982,000 in barter advertising revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2015, respectively. The Company recognized $447,000 and $881,000 in barter expense included in programming costs on the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2015, respectively.
Film Assets Included in Long Term Programming Rights
	Film Assets Included in Long Term Programming Rights
	The Company amortizes its film assets using the individual-film-forecast-computation method. The individual-film-forecast-computation method amortizes such assets in the same ratio that current period actual revenue bears to estimated ultimate future revenues.
	On a quarterly basis, the Company assesses whether events or circumstances have changed indicating that the fair value of a film is lower than its unamortized cost or carrying value. If the carrying value of any individual film asset exceeds its fair value, the film asset is written-down to its estimated fair value.
	The Company reviews its estimates of ultimate future revenues and participation costs as of each reporting date to reflect currently available information. Estimated ultimate future revenues are based on sales plans and other factors, all of which require significant judgment and estimation by management. Differences between amortization expense determined using the new estimates and any amounts previously expensed during that current fiscal year are charged or credited to the statement of operations in the period in which the estimates are revised.
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, 2014 and March 31, 2015, are $2.9 million and $2.4 million, respectively, of deferred revenue. Further, $5.9 million and $7.6 million, respectively, are included in the long-term portion of accrued liabilities as of December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2015.
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. The Company determines 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 stock by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share for each period is computed by dividing net income attributable to common stock by the weighted average number of common shares plus potentially dilutive common shares outstanding except whenever any such effect would be antidilutive.
Concentration of Credit 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 the Company’s distributors individually accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s consolidated subscriber revenue and collectively accounted for 88% and 87% of the Company’s consolidated subscriber revenue during both the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2015.  Two of the Company’s distributors individually accounted for approximately 15% or more of the Company’s consolidated subscribers and collectively accounted for 45% of the Company’s subscribers during each of the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2015. The loss of one of these distributors could have a significant impact on the Company’s operations.
	Four of the Company’s programming content providers individually accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s total programming rights payable and collectively accounted for 74% and 67% of the consolidated programming rights payable as of March 31, 2014 and 2015, respectively. The loss of one of these program content providers could have a significant 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 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 ASU No. 2014-09 on its financial position and results of operations.
	In January 2015, the FASB issued new accounting rules that remove the concept of extraordinary items from U.S. GAAP. Under the existing guidance, an entity is required to separately disclose extraordinary items, net of tax, in the income statement after income from continuing operations if an event or transaction is of an unusual nature and occurs infrequently. This separate, net of tax presentation (and corresponding earnings per share impact) will no longer be allowed. The new rules will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2016. The Company does not expect the adoption of the new accounting rules to have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
	In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Interest — Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. This guidance requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability. This guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and requires retrospective application. The Company expects to adopt this guidance when effective, and does not expect this guidance to have a significant impact on its financial position and results of operations, although it will change the financial statement classification of its debt issuance costs. As of March 31, 2015, $7.5 million of debt issuance costs were included in total assets in the Company’s accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet. Under the new guidance, the debt issuance costs would reduce its total debt.

Programming_Rights_Tables

Programming Rights (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Programming Rights
Schedule of programming rights		As of December 31,			As of March 31,
		2014			2015
		(In thousands)
	Programming rights—non-affiliates
	Acquired programming
	Licensed for less than 12 years	$	298,731		$	309,583
	Original programming
	Licensed for less than 12 years	200,760			213,509
	Licensed for 12 years or longer	62,585			75,470
	Owned	43,271			48,835
	Programming rights—Hallmark Cards affiliates
	Licensed for less than 12 years	25,694			25,694
	Programming rights, at cost	631,041			673,091
	Accumulated amortization	(325,046		)	(351,693		)
	Programming rights available for broadcast	305,995			321,398
	Owned programming in development	1,619			6,712
	Programming rights, net	$	307,614		$	328,110
Schedule of programming rights payable		As of December 31,			As of March 31,
		2014			2015
		(In thousands)
	Programming rights payable—non-affiliates
	Acquired programming	$	88,856		$	92,290
	Original programming	9,923			12,482
	Programming rights payable—Hallmark Cards affiliates	13,623			13,000
	Total programming rights payable	112,402			117,772
	Less current maturities	(66,726		)	(72,453		)
	Long-term programming rights payable	$	45,676		$	45,319

Revolving_Credit_Facilities_Te

Revolving Credit Facilities, Term Loan, and the Notes (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Revolving Credit Facility, Term Loan, and the Notes
Schedule of debt service requirements, including estimated future interest, for each of the five years		Payments Due by Period
		Total		Year 1		Year 2		Year 3		Year 4		Year 5
	Notes, due July 15, 2019	$	399,789	$	28,508	$	28,508	$	28,508	$	28,508	$	285,757
	Term Loan, due July 14, 2018	112,933		4,052		4,041		4,041		100,799		—
		$	512,722	$	32,560	$	32,549	$	32,549	$	129,307	$	285,757

Long_Term_Incentive_Plan_Table

Long Term Incentive Plan (Tables) (LTI Agreements)	1 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Schedule of changes in the long term incentive plan account		Granted Incentive
		Compensation Range					Vesting Date			Settlement (in thousands)
	Grant	Low		High			Employment		Performance	Employment Awards			Performance Awards
	Date	Grant		Grant			Awards		Awards	Date	Amount		Date	Amount
	4/25/11	$	23,000	$	550,000		8/31/13		12/31/13	9/6/13	$	1,452	3/14/14	$	1,551
	3/1/12	$	22,000	$	652,000		8/31/14		12/31/14	9/5/14	$	1,509	3/6/15	$	1,938
	3/1/13	$	20,000	$	680,000		12/31/15		12/31/15	N/A	$	—	N/A	$	—
	3/1/14	$	27,000	$	707,000		12/31/16		12/31/16	N/A	$	—	N/A	$	—
	3/1/15	$	29,000	$	741,000		12/31/17		12/31/17	N/A	$	—	N/A	$	—
Independent director
Schedule of changes in the long term incentive plan account
	Grant					Settlement
	Date	Grant Amount		Vesting Date		Date		Amount
	8/17/12	$	50,000	12/31/14		3/4/15		$	306,000
	3/1/13	$	50,000	12/31/15		N/A		$	—
	8/16/13	$	35,000	8/15/14		8/19/14		$	262,000
	3/1/14	$	50,000	12/31/16		N/A		$	—
	3/1/15	$	50,000	12/31/17		N/A		$	—

Fair_Value_Tables

Fair Value (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value.
Schedule of the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the company's financial instruments		December 31, 2014				March 31, 2015
		Carrying		Fair		Carrying		Fair
		Amount		Value		Amount		Value
		(In thousands)
	Term Loan and interest payable (Level 3)	$	118,212	$	115,975	$	98,310	$	97,603
	The Notes and interest payable (Level 2)	284,569		309,256		277,442		293,435

Business_and_Organization_Deta

Business and Organization (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
	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
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Balance at Beginning of Year	$265,000
Additions Charged to Expense	130,000	5,000
Balance at End of Year	394,000
Barter Transactions
Barter advertising revenue	982,000	501,000
Barter expense	881,000	447,000
Deferred Revenue
Deferred revenue, current	2,400,000		2,900,000
Deferred revenue, long term portion	7,600,000		5,900,000
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Current Period Disclosures [Abstract]
Unamortized Debt Issuance Expense	$7,454,000		$7,878,000
Distributors concentration | Subscriber revenue
Concentration of Risk
Concentration of risk (as a percent)	87.00%	88.00%
Threshold for concentration of risk (as a percent)	10.00%	10.00%
Number of major distributors	5	5
Distributors concentration | Hallmark Channel subscribers
Concentration of Risk
Concentration of risk (as a percent)	45.00%	45.00%
Threshold for concentration of risk (as a percent)	15.00%	15.00%
Number of major distributors	2	2
Programming content providers concentration | Programming rights
Concentration of Risk
Concentration of risk (as a percent)	67.00%	74.00%
Threshold for concentration of risk (as a percent)	10.00%	10.00%
Number of programming content providers	4	4

Programming_Rights_Details

Programming Rights (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Programming Rights
Programming rights, at cost	$673,091,000		$631,041,000
Accumulated amortization	-351,693,000		-325,046,000
Programming rights available for broadcast	321,398,000		305,995,000
Owned programming in development	6,712,000		1,619,000
Programming rights, net	328,110,000		307,614,000
Shortened estimated remaining life of programming rights	0 years
Additional amortization of programming rights	0	7,000
Programming rights, included in prepaid programming rights	37,500,000		39,800,000
Programming rights payable
Total programming rights payable	117,772,000		112,402,000
Less current maturities	-72,453,000		-66,726,000
Long-term programming rights payable	45,319,000		45,676,000
Hallmark Cards affiliates
Programming Rights
Licensed for less than 12 years	25,694,000		25,694,000
Programming rights payable
Total programming rights payable	13,000,000		13,623,000
Non-Affiliates | Acquired programming
Programming Rights
Licensed for less than 12 years	309,583,000		298,731,000
Programming rights payable
Total programming rights payable	92,290,000		88,856,000
Non-Affiliates | Original programming
Programming Rights
Licensed for less than 12 years	213,509,000		200,760,000
Licensed for 12 years or longer	75,470,000		62,585,000
Owned	48,835,000		43,271,000
Programming rights payable
Total programming rights payable	$12,482,000		$9,923,000

Revolving_Credit_Facility_Term1

Revolving Credit Facility, Term Loan, and the Notes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Senior secured super-priority revolving credit facility
Credit Facility and Term Loan
Maximum borrowing capacity	$30,000,000
Outstanding borrowings	0		0
Interest expense	0	0
Commitment fees on unused revolving credit commitment (as a percent)	0.50%
Commitment fee expense	37,000	37,000
Senior secured term loan facility
Credit Facility and Term Loan
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	210,000,000
Outstanding balance under the Term Loan, net of unamortized discount	98,300,000		118,200,000
Principal payment on debt	20,000,000	25,000,000
Interest expense	1,500,000	1,800,000
Effective interest rate (as a percent)	5.25%	4.97%
Weighted average nominal interest rate (as a percent)	4.05%	4.05%
Letter of Credit
Credit Facility and Term Loan
Number of letters of credit outstanding	1		1
Amount of letter of credit outstanding	202,000		202,000
Notes
Credit Facility and Term Loan
Interest expense	$7,300,000	$8,100,000
Effective interest rate (as a percent)	11.00%	11.00%

Revolving_Credit_Facility_Term2

Revolving Credit Facility, Term Loan, and the Notes (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
	item
Aggregate maturities of long-term debt including future interest for each of the five years
Total	$512,722,000
Year 1	32,560,000
Year 2	32,549,000
Year 3	32,549,000
Year 4	129,307,000
Year 5	285,757,000
Guarantees
Amount of independent assets	0
Amount of independent operations	0
Number of subsidiaries that are not guarantors	0
Notes
Aggregate maturities of long-term debt including future interest for each of the five years
Total	399,789,000
Year 1	28,508,000
Year 2	28,508,000
Year 3	28,508,000
Year 4	28,508,000
Year 5	285,757,000
Senior secured term loan facility
Aggregate maturities of long-term debt including future interest for each of the five years
Total	112,933,000
Year 1	4,052,000
Year 2	4,041,000
Year 3	4,041,000
Year 4	$100,799,000

Related_Party_Transactions_Det

Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended		12 Months Ended		0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 12, 2014	Jul. 06, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Oct. 01, 2014	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2008
		item	item	item			item	item
Related Party Transactions
Programming rights	$238,706,000			$221,664,000
Payables to Hallmark Cards affiliates	195,000			150,000
Trademark licenses
Related Party Transactions
Licenses amount reflected in the condensed consolidated balance sheets	0
Period after which entity will be in default for failure to make payment under loan agreement	5 days
Hallmark Cards
Related Party Transactions
Number of movies under older titles		2
Number of movies under contemporary Hallmark Hall of Fame titles		2	2
Amount to be received under agreement		3,000,000
Advertising revenue to be recognized		3,400,000	2,100,000
Number of movies aired on Hallmark Channel	3			3
Amount receivable for marketing fees	978,000
Period of license of titles			7 days
Licensing revenue				900,000
Hallmark Cards | State tax sharing agreement
Related Party Transactions
Amount paid				385,000
Amount owed under tax sharing agreement	52,000			75,000
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	389,000
Hallmark Cards affiliates
Related Party Transactions
Payables to Hallmark Cards affiliates	195,000			150,000
Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions, LLC
Related Party Transactions
Duration of movies aired on Hallmark channel			2 hours
Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions, LLC | Exclusive television license
Related Party Transactions
Exhibition windows over which the program license fees are payable in equal monthly installments							10 years	10 years
Number of movies under older titles								42
Number of movies under contemporary Hallmark Hall of Fame titles								16
Number of Movies under Programming License Agreement							16	58
Period of license of titles							10 years	10 years
License fee per movie						660,000
Total license fees payable							10,000,000	17,200,000
Northpole
Related Party Transactions
Programming rights	6,600,000			6,600,000
Duration of animated specials aired on Hallmark channel				2 hours
Northpole II
Related Party Transactions
Programming rights	$5,400,000
Duration of animated specials aired on Hallmark channel					2 hours
Maximum | Hallmark Cards
Related Party Transactions
Number of movies under older titles			2

Long_Term_Incentive_Plan_Detai

Long Term Incentive Plan (Details ) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 01, 2015

Mar. 01, 2014

Mar. 01, 2013

Mar. 01, 2012

Apr. 25, 2011

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 04, 2015

Aug. 19, 2014

Aug. 16, 2013

Aug. 17, 2012

Dec. 31, 2014

Sep. 05, 2014

Sep. 06, 2013

Mar. 06, 2015

Mar. 14, 2014

LTI Agreements

Long Term Incentive Plan

Compensation expense included in selling, general and administrative expense

$872,000

$884,000

Liability related to agreement included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities

4,500,000

5,900,000

LTI Agreements | Minimum

Long Term Incentive Plan

Incentive award grant as a percentage of employee annual base salary

18.00%

Target award

29,000

27,000

20,000

22,000

23,000

LTI Agreements | Maximum

Long Term Incentive Plan

Incentive award grant as a percentage of employee annual base salary

85.00%

Target award

741,000

707,000

680,000

652,000

550,000

LTI Agreements | Employment Award

Long Term Incentive Plan

Portion of award in each grant (as a percent)

40.00%

40.00%

Amount settled in cash

1,509,000

1,452,000

LTI Agreements | Performance Award

Long Term Incentive Plan

Portion of award in each grant (as a percent)

60.00%

60.00%

Amount settled in cash

1,938,000

1,551,000

Employee | 2012 Plan | Performance Award

Long Term Incentive Plan

Performance period

3 years

Employee | 2012 Plan | Awards granted in 2010 through 2012 | Employment Award

Long Term Incentive Plan

Portion of award in each grant (as a percent)

50.00%

Employee | 2012 Plan | Awards granted in 2010 through 2012 | Performance Award

Long Term Incentive Plan

Portion of award in each grant (as a percent)

50.00%

Independent director | LTI Agreements | Performance Award

Long Term Incentive Plan

Target award

$50,000

$50,000

$50,000

$306,000

$262,000

$35,000

$50,000

Fair_Value_Details

Fair Value (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value
Transfers between levels	$0	$0
Carrying Amount | Level 2 | Senior secured term loan facility
Fair Value
Long-term debt and interest payable	98,310	118,212
Carrying Amount | Level 2 | Notes
Fair Value
Long-term debt and interest payable	277,442	284,569
Fair Value | Level 3
Fair Value
Long-term debt and interest payable	97,600	116,000
Fair Value | Level 2 | Senior secured term loan facility
Fair Value
Long-term debt and interest payable	97,603	115,975
Fair Value | Level 2 | Notes
Fair Value
Long-term debt and interest payable	$293,435	$309,256

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Detail) (Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Member]
Estimated cost of residuals and participations	$1.50	$1.50

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details ) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Operating loss carryforwards
Income tax expense recorded for alternative minimum tax		$594,000	$385,000
AMT paid	38,000	61,000
Amount of unrecognized tax benefits for uncertain tax positions		0		0
Percentage of loss carryforwards used against AMT income		90.00%
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				447,300,000
State
Operating loss carryforwards
Valuation allowance related to NOLs				$3,400,000