Hallmark channel to downsize operations

The Hallmark Channel is in the process of trimming its staff. As part of its global re-structuring, Crown Media, which operates the Hallmark Channel, has closed its Singapore sales office. The total restructuring will be complete in first quarter of '03. I

by exchange4media Staff
Published: Oct 17, 2002 7:18 AM | 1 min read

The Hallmark Channel is in the process of trimming its staff. As part of its global re-structuring, Crown Media, which operates the Hallmark channel, has closed its Singapore sales office. The total restructuring will be complete in first quarter of '03. In all, it will comprise of the layoffs of 130 people, or in other words, 30 percent of the company's worldwide staff.

According to the senior officials at Hallmark, Indian viewers would not get affected by these changes and the programming will be done out of Asia. Says Terence Yau, Chief Executive, Hallmark Channel Asia Pacific "The programming will now be done out of Asia and other functions will remain unchanged. The changes will not affect the Indian viewers at the moment."

The restructuring is aimed at reducing operating costs by $25m in '03 compared to '02. The move is expected to allow the company to concentrate its efforts on the US market and the most successful international territories. As part of restructuring, channel has ousted the incumbent President and CEO Lana Corbi.

The officials in Asia, though, see a silver lining in this restructuring. Say Yau, " The Indian viewers would be seeing a better Hallmark Channel early next year."