Odyssey Network

Odyssey Network
Launched	1984 as ACTS 1996 (as Odyssey Network)
Closed	August 5, 2001
Owned by	The Jim Henson Company (1999-2000) Crown Media (1999-2001)

The Odyssey Network was a cable television network that was launched in 1996.

History

• 1984: The channel was launched as ACTS.
• 1988: VISN was launched as a television network.
• 1992: VISN and ACTS shared time beginning in 1992 as VISN-ACTS.
• 1993: VISN-ACTS was renamed the Faith and Values Channel.
• 1996: Faith and Values became Odyssey Networks.
• 1996: More secular programming was started when the channel was renamed Odyssey Networks, using the domain name [Odysseyfamily.com] for posting TV listings.
• 1999: Odyssey Network was purchased by Hallmark Entertainment, a division of Hallmark Cards, and The Jim Henson Company (TJHC) in November. Their slogan was "A Hallmark & Henson Network" until 2001.
• 2000: TJHC sold half of the channel to Crown Media, a division of Hallmark. The channel withdrew most of Henson's programs due to them selling half of the channel.
• 2001: The channel was officially renamed "The Hallmark Channel" on August 5, 2001.

Programming

• ALF (1999–2001)
• Dog City (1999-2001)
• Donna's Day
• Fraggle Rock (1999–2001)
• Fraggle Rock: The Animated Series (1999–2001)
• Hey, Cinderella!
• Jim Henson's Animal Show (1999-2001)
• Jim Henson's Muppet Babies (1999–2001)
• Odyssey Network Presents (1996–2001)
• The Muppet Show (1999–2001, the show aired on Hallmark Channel after the buyout until 2003)
• The Muppet Movie
• The Great Muppet Caper
• Sesame Street (1999-2001)
• Sesame Street Presents Follow That Bird
• Zoobilee Zoo (1999-2000)