And that's not all. The channel is part of a package deal. Not only will viewers get ``great stories, great stars and great television'' on Hallmark Entertainment, children will also get a new channel to themselves. Kermit, the Frog and his bandwagon of muppets and puppets will try and provide an ``alternative'' to popular cartoons already on air (read TNT).

Hallmark Entertainment Network is the largest producer of television movies and mini-series. And their mission statement is: ``When viewers look for entertainment beyond the ordinary, give them a special place to go,'' says Jeffrey J. Johnson, vice-president and managing director of the channels. ``When they want compelling stories, masterfully produced, give them a dependable destination. For television that inspires, give them Hallmark Entertainment network.''

Accordingly, Hallmark is all about the movies. Most of them are big budget movies shot on exclusive locations together with a star cast. So you'll catch Whoopie Goldberg playing the Chesire Cat in Alice In Wonderland, Patrick Stewart in Moby Dick and Timothy Dalton in Cleopatra.

``We are premiering our best products in India,'' adds Johnson. ``We have romantic dramas, action and most importantly, the best of Hollywood work in our productions. We give the actors a certain amount of breadth for expression and in turn we get to premiere 12 to 13 movies and mini-serials a month.''

Kermit and his friends however are the more sought after stars. The Muppet Babies and Fraggle Rock will entertain, Kermit and his friends from Sesame Street will educate and series like the Road to Avonlea, Christy and Wind at My Back will keep the entire family engrossed. ``Kermit will be the parent's choice for their children,'' says Johnson. ``In today's society we have both parents working and television has become the de-facto baby-sitter. Accordingly, we are providing a network that parents are comfortable with.''

Kermit, a star so big he has his own channel, is the frog entrusted with the job of making both parents and children comfortable with the channel. ``Kermit is an icon brand,'' Johnson explains. ``He is hip, funny, warm and irreverent. So the children like him. Simultaneously, he is respectful and has values which makes parents happy.''

Both Halmark and Kermit are pay channels. The network is hoping that the family will take to them because they claim to be the ``complete family entertainment package''. They are also hoping that Kermit will replace all other toon characters and become a ``child's best friend''.