INTERCOMPANY SERVICES AMENDMENT AND EXTENSION AGREEMENT

QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

Exhibit 10.53

INTERCOMPANY SERVICES AMENDMENT AND EXTENSION AGREEMENT

        This Amendment and Extension Agreement dated as of January 1, 2009 is by and between Hallmark Cards, Incorporated ("Hallmark") and Crown Media Holdings, Inc. (Crown Holdings").

        WHEREAS, Crown Holdings and Hallmark have previously entered into that certain Intercompany Services Agreement between the parties dated as of December 23, 2002 as extended on January 1, 2006, January 1, 2007 and January 1, 2008 (the "Services Agreement"); and

        WHEREAS, the parties desire to amend the agreement to include services provided by Human Resources and to further extend the term of the Services Agreement;

        NOW, THEREFORE, Crown Holdings and Hallmark hereby agree as follows:

        1.     Section 2. Corporate Services shall be amended by adding:

        "6.    Human Resources Services

        7.      Other Services ."

        2.     Section 8. Real Estate shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced as follows:

        "8.    Additional Services .

(a)

Real Estate .    The Hallmark real estate department shall assist Crown Holdings in identifying and anal