The Hallmark Channel is a cable television network that broadcasts in over 100 countries. They specialize in series and movies that are appropriate for the whole family. In all countries except the United States they are owned by NBC Universal. The Hallmark name is licensed from Hallmark Cards, Inc. The Hallmark Channel in the United States is owned by Crown Media Holdings, in turn majority-owned by Hallmark Cards. In the United States, the network began as a merger between VISN (the Vision Interfaith Satellite Network), and the ACTS (American Christian Television Station) Network. The combined network initially ran under both names, but was later named the Faith and Values Channel, and originally broadcast religious programming only. More secular programming was started in 1996 when the channel was renamed the Odyssey Channel, using the domain name Odysseyfamily.com for posting TV listings. Hallmark Entertainment and The Jim Henson Company bought stakes in Odyssey in November 1998.