VH1 Primetime Ratings Soar 33% in First Quarter 2005

VH1 Primetime Ratings Soar 33% in First Quarter 2005

'Celebreality' Series Power VH1 to Its 11th Consecutive Quarter of Total Viewer Growth

NEW YORK, March 29 /PRNewswire/ -- This past quarter at VH1 proved that all reality is not created equal.

VH1's 's three "celebreality" series, including "The Surreal Life 4," "Strange Love" and "Celebrity Fit Club," fueled a 33% increase in the network's primetime ratings in the key 18-49 demo this past quarter, averaging a .4 compared to a .3 in first quarter of last year.

The series also helped VH1 post its 11th consecutive quarter of total viewer growth in the total viewing day. In fact, the past three months were also VH1's most watched quarter ever, averaging 613,000 total viewers P 2+ in primetime (+19% above 1st quarter 2004) and 364,000 total viewers in the total viewing day (also +19% above 1st quarter 2004).

In fact, VH1's three "celebreality" series are among the network's top five highest rated series ever in its 20-year history.

"Surreal Life" is averaging a 1.1 in the key 18-49 demo and attracting an average of 1.5 million total viewers 2+ during its Sunday night premiere episodes. The season premiere of "The Surreal Life" scored a 1.6 in the 18-49 demo making it VH1's highest rated telecast in nearly five years and the highest rated episode of a VH1 original series ever.

"Celebrity Fit Club" averaged a 1.0 in the 18-49 demo and 1.4 million total viewers for its first full season of eight premiere episodes. The final episode on March 13 averaged a 1.3 in the 18-49 demo and 1.8 million total viewers. The series featured Daniel Baldwin, Kim Coles, Joe Gannascoli ("The Sopranos"), Biz Markie, Ralphie May, Judge Mablean Ephriam ("Divorce Court"), Mia Tyler and Wendy the Snapple Lady all competing on teams to lose the most weight.

New series "Strange Love," starring Flavor Flav and Brigitte Nielsen, is averaging a .8 in the 18-49 demo and enchanting an average 1.2 million total viewers during its Sunday night premieres. The series debuted on January 9 as VH1's highest rated series premiere of all time, averaging a 1.3 rating in the 18-49 demo. An average of 1.8 million viewers P 2+ tuned into the first episode.

Other ratings highlights include "I Love The 90s Part Deux," which scored ratings that were 50% above the same time period compared to the previous year, "VH1 News Presents Michael Jackson's Secret Childhood" and the television premiere of the Eminem film "8 Mile."

Learn more about these and all other VH1 programs at http://www.vh1.com/ .

VH1 connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter to them most with series, specials, live events, exclusive online content and public affairs initiatives. VH1 is available in over 87 million households in the U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital services including VH1 Classic, VH1 Soul, VH Uno, VH1 Mega Hits and VH1 Country. Connect with VH1 at http://www.vh1.com/ .

Contact:

Brett Henne/VH1 Vanessa Reyes/MTV Networks 212/846-6752 310/752-8081

Source: VH1

CONTACT: Brett Henne of VH1, +1-212-846-6752; or Vanessa Reyes of MTV Networks, +1-310-752-8081

Web site: http://www.vh1.com/

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