Hallmark Channel Tops Cable Ratings on Saturday Thanks To CEDAR COVE & 'Second Chances'

Brought together by an unusual circumstance, single mom Jenny (Alison
Sweeney) must decide if she can let love in again when she falls for
local firefighter Jeff (Greg Vaughn). - Photo: Hallmark Channel

Boosted by the network's original scripted primetime series, DEBBIE MACOMBER'S CEDAR COVE, and the original movie premiere of Second Chances, Hallmark Channel dominated cable on Saturday as the #1 cable network in primetime from 8-11 p.m. on July 27.  CEDAR COVE maintained its ratings momentum from the previous week's movie pilot debut with its first 1-hour episode ranking as the #1 series of the day and #2 program of the day on cable. Following the episode, the premiere of original movie Second Chances ranked as the #1 program on cable for Saturday and #1 movie on cable for the week.

"We are thrilled that CEDAR COVE's successful 2-hour series pilot was followed up by a strong result for the program's first 1-hour episode on July 27," said Bill Abbott, CEO and President, Crown Media Family Networks. "The fact that so many viewers returned on Saturday night for the continuation of the storyline bodes well for the future of this series, as well as other episodic series in development for Hallmark Channel. Additionally, CEDAR COVE was an outstanding lead-in for the premiere of Hallmark Channel's original movie, Second Chances, which achieved a 2.5 HH rating and, combined with CEDAR COVE's performance, made Hallmark Channel the #1 network in primetime on Saturday night. These results are clear evidence that our strategy to own Saturday nights is paying off on all fronts."

CEDAR COVE garnered a 2.2 household rating, averaging 2.4 million total viewers. In key demo ratings for the 8-9 p.m. time period, "Cedar Cove" ranked among the top 10, including #1 in HH (2.2 rtg), P2+ (1.1 rtg), and #3 in W25-54 (.8 rtg). "Cedar Cove" also placed #1 in HH (1,921,000) and #1 in P2+ (2,413,000) delivery.

Week two of the CEDAR COVE series timeslot led into the debut of Hallmark Channel's original movie, "Second Chances", the network's strongest movie premiere of the year to-date. Second Chances delivered a 2.5 household rating, averaging 2.8 million total viewers and 468,000 W25-54. Second Chances is the highest rated Hallmark Channel original premiere, outside of the holidays, in over 4 years. Among W25-54 rating, Second Chances is the #1 movie of the week. In the 9p-11p time period, the film ranked in the top 10 for key demo ratings, including #1 in HH (2.5 rtg), #2 in W25-54 (1.0 rtg), and #1 in P2+ (1.3 rtg). Second Chances also placed #1 in HH (2,131,000) and P2+ (2,806,000) delivery.

In CEDAR COVE: A House Divided, Judge Olivia Lockhart (Andie MacDowell) finds herself caught in the middle when her seaside town goes up in arms because developer Warren Saget (Brennan Elliott) threatens to tear down Cedar Cove's iconic lighthouse. As tensions heat up, Olivia knows she must find a way to save the landmark before the trouble in town boils over.

Original movie, Second Chances tells the story of Jenny McLean (Alison Sweeney), a single mom working at a 911-call center struggling to make ends meet and raise her two kids, and Jeff (Greg Vaughan), a badly injured fireman who needs a place to recover and heal. Brought together by unusual circumstances, Jeff soon moves in and the children see him as an ideal substitute father, but will Jenny take a risk on romance?

Source: The Nielsen Company, July 22- July 28, 2013