Hallmark Channel to launch in US

Hallmark Cards and Crown Media Holdings will re-launch Crown Media's US cable channel Odyssey Network as the Hallmark Channel on August 6, 2001.

Odyssey Network currently provides entertainment programming to an audience of more than 29 million subscribers in the US.

The channel is distributed via 1,500 cable systems, DirecTV and EchoStar DTH satellite services and C-Band dish owners across the country.

The re-launch will be backed by a multi-million dollar promotion and advertising campaign. As part of the re-branding initiative, Crown Media Holdings has changed the name of the channel's operating subsidiary Odyssey Holdings to Crown Media US.

Meanwhile, Crown Interactive, which was set-up to deliver interactive products and services, is currently running beta tests in Singapore to provide video-on-demand, video greetings and e-commerce services through PCs and TVs via digital set-top boxes.

Select titles from the Hallmark Entertainment library will be among the first available through this new interactive service.