Hallmark Channel Boss Got 26% Raise

By Michael Malone
( Broadcasting & Cable )
published

2010 was a good year to be a CEO, particularly in the media business.

Crown Media Holdings, which runs the Hallmark Channel, said in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission Friday, that president and CEO Bill Abbott’s compensation rose 26% to $1.167 million. Abbott’s base salary rose slightly to $679,743 from $666,954 in 2009, but his bonus nearly doubled  and other compensation jumped sharply.

Even with the increase, even bigger money is being made by moguls at the major media conglomerates, such as CBS’ Les Moonves, who took in $57.7 million in 2010 and Bob Iger, who received $29.6 million.

Michael Malone
Michael Malone

Michael Malone, senior content producer at B+C/Multichannel News, covers network programming, including entertainment, news and sports on broadcast, cable and streaming; and local broadcast television. He hosts the podcasts Busted Pilot, about what’s new in television, and Series Business, a chat with the creator of a new program, and writes the column “The Watchman.” He joined B+C in 2005. His journalism has also appeared in The New York Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Playboy and New York magazine.