Sony Pictures Television International's Sony Entertainment Television Channel in India Breaks Ratings Records for Indian Idol Season Finale

Sony Pictures Television International's Sony Entertainment Television Channel in India Breaks Ratings Records for Indian Idol Season Finale

MUMBAI, India, March 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Pictures Television International's (SPTI) Sony Entertainment Television channel in India broke ratings records on Saturday, 5 March 2005, with the airing of the season finale for Indian Idol, the channel's Hindi-language version of FremantleMedia's Pop Idol format. The episode recorded phenomenal ratings of 14.3 (all C&S HSM) and was watched by 15.4 million viewers in India, a new record for the cable and satellite Hindi-language general entertainment network. Viewers voted furiously for their favorite Indian Idol eventually casting a huge total of 55 million votes.

"The confluence of a universally appealing format, Sony Entertainment Television's compelling production and their innovative marketing contributed to Indian Idol becoming such a huge success for the channel," said Andy Kaplan, SPTI's Senior Executive Vice President, International Networks. "Our Los Angeles-based programming and production team, led by Senior Vice President Marie Jacobson, worked with FremantleMedia to make sure that the integrity of the format was successfully realized for the local market and the phenomenal success of Indian Idol is the result."

Speaking on the phenomenal performance, Tarun Katial, Executive Vice President and Business Head, Sony Entertainment Television, said, "Indian Idol has truly lived up to its promise. The show has definitely increased our reach levels to an extent that the Saturday episode is the highest rated show on the weekend slot this year. It has truly gripped the nation, as a mammoth total of 55 million votes were cast, showing a considerable increase in viewer involvement and interactivity. Indian Idol has truly moved the nation and captured its imagination as never before, and this is a great beginning as we come back with the second season of Indian Idol in the second half of 2005."

Launched on October 28, 2004, Indian Idol debuted with a rating of 5.8 growing each week. Indian Idol has grown Sony Entertainment Television's primetime viewership by 9% and expanded the general entertainment category by 7%. In the core target audience of 15-34, women & men, SEC ABC (C&S), Indian Idol increased the channel prime time viewership by 16%.

Season finale highlights:

* TVR OF 14.3 (HSM) * Ratings peaked at over 20 TVRs and * The number 2 show in India * Highest rated show on the weekend slot this year 2004-2005 * The show has reached 55 million viewers across the country * TVR in key markets: 23.0 in Mumbai 15.9 in Delhi 16.7 in Gujarat 14.6 in UP 13.9 in Kolkata * Dominates slot viewership with a share of 74% in all cable & satellite (HSM)

About Sony Entertainment Television

Sony Entertainment Television (SET) India, India's No. 2 general entertainment television channel, is backed by Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI). Its channels include Sony Entertainment Television, MAX, AXN and ANIMAX.

Launched in October 1995, Sony Entertainment Television is a Hindi general entertainment channel, focused at providing quality and innovative entertainment to viewers across India. Over the years, the channel has created significant marquee properties through an impressive line up of programs ranging from the light hearted to the supernatural, exploring various genres complimented by an explosive mix of glamorous events and Bollywood blockbusters. Known for its innovative concepts and exciting formats, Sony Entertainment Television has been providing strong platforms for over 700 brands to reach over 38 million households in India. In addition, Sony Entertainment Television is also available in US, UK, Africa, Middle East, Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Maldives, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Sony Entertainment Television is a part the network of channels distributed by TheOneAlliance -- a joint venture between SET India Pvt. Ltd. and Discovery Communications India. Other channels in TheOneAlliance network include MAX, Discovery, Discovery Travel & Living, MTV, Animal Planet, AXN, ANIMAX, NDTV 24X7, NDTV India, NDTV Profit and NICK.

About Sony Pictures Television International

Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI) operates three complementary lines of business: 1) distribution of Sony Pictures Entertainment's feature films and television programming to television outlets around the world, 2) local television production in key international markets, and 3) international television networks. In addition to being a leader in the distribution of current and classic U.S. and international films and television product worldwide, SPTI produces high profile, locally produced television in local languages. With dedicated offices in France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Miami (Latin America), the People's Republic of China, Spain and the United Kingdom, SPTI currently oversees production in eight regions. SPTI's worldwide television networks portfolio is a key strategy in the Company's long-range commitment to the global marketplace, with approximately 40 networks in more than 100 countries reaching over 240 million viewers worldwide. SPTI is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company.

Contact: Ron Sato Sony Pictures Television International +1 310 244 4687 ron_sato@spe.sony.com

Source: Sony Pictures Television International

CONTACT: Ron Sato of Sony Pictures Television International, +1-310-244-4687, ron_sato@spe.sony.com

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