Odyssey Network, a 24-hour cable television channel that provides high-quality family entertainment programming to a national audience of nearly 28 million subscribers, is to be the first US cable network to run the successful international animation series, The Storykeepers.
The series, which is distributed by Monster Distributes, has topped ratings internationally and has been sold in 108 countries. It will air Sunday mornings on Odyssey at 8 am ET/PT, starting on 8th October.
Welcoming the new series, Edward J. Murray, president and CEO of Faith & Values Media, a partner with Odyssey that is bringing The Storykeepers to the channel, said: "We are delighted to have the opportunity to bring this very popular series to Odyssey. The story of its rating success in the UK is very exciting, and were very hopeful that American audiences will embrace it in the same way"
In the UK, The Storykeepers garnered a 27.5% audience share across adults and children combined, and has topped the ratings three times in three years on ITV Network.
Andrew Fitzpatrick, chairman of Monster Distributes, said: "We are delighted that Odyssey Network will be our US broadcaster for this series, which has now become an important television brand. As well as being a commercial success, it has also won great critical reviews for its authenticity.
The animated series features the adventures of a group of children on the run from persecution in Neros Rome. While hiding them in his bakery, Ben, the baker, tells them stories of the Life of Jesus.
Odyssey Network is distributed through 1,500 cable systems, DirecTV (Channel 312) and Primestar (Channel 84) direct-to-home satellite services and C-Band dish owners across the country. Odyssey is owned and operated by a wholly owned subsidiary of Crown Media Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ NM: CRWN). Strategic investors in Crown Media Holdings, Inc. include Hallmark Entertainment, Inc., a subsidiary of Hallmark Cards, Inc.; EM.TV & Merchandising AG; Liberty Media Corp. (NYSE: LMG.A and LMG.B); the National Interfaith Cable Coalition, Inc. (NICC); and Kirchmedia GmbH & Co. KGaA. For more information on Odyssey Network and its programming visit www.OdysseyChannel.com.
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