VH1's Sunday Night 'Celebreality' Block Attracts 10.2 Million Viewers

VH1's Sunday Night 'Celebreality' Block Attracts 10.2 Million Viewers

Basic Cable's #1 Program - 'Hogan Knows Best' - Bodyslams the Competition and Scores Highest Rated Premiere Ever For VH1

All Three Premieres Broke Top Ten Cable Networks Most Watched Programs of the Day Among The Key P18-49 Demographic

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., July 14 /PRNewswire/ -- This Summer VH1 is hotter than July as "Hogan Knows Best" launches with a record breaking 1.9, the fifth season debut of "The Surreal Life 5" scores an impressive 1.5 and "Celebrity Fit Club 2" continues to burn the fat weighing in with a 1.4 in the 18-49 demo. 10.2 million viewers tuned in to see VH1's newest "Celebreality" block, breaking network records.

In addition, the networks new broadband entertainment network, VSPOT, bests VH1.com's weekly average streams by nearly 50%, fueled largely by sneak peaks of "The Surreal Life 5" and "Hogan Knows Best."

The season premiere of "Hogan Knows Best" starring WWE star Hulk Hogan and his family was the number one rated telecast in the P18-49 demographic for the night and broke VH1 records with a 1.9 in the demo making it the highest rated series premiere in VH1 history and the highest rated regular episode telecast ever. The premiere episode of this new "Celebreality" series also comes in as the second highest rated telecast of all time for the network. "Hogan Knows Best" premiere was up an impressive +18% compared to the previous record holder, "The Surreal Life 4" premiere in 1Q05.

The new season of VH1's "The Surreal Life 5" posted an impressive 1.5 P18- 49 rating and was ranked as the number six telecast of the night in the demo. This newest installment stars all-new housemates includes the world's first supermodel Janice Dickinson, Omarosa "The Apprentice," power slugger Jose Conseco, UK glamour model Caprice, one of the first ladies of hip hop Sandi Denton (Pepa of Salt-n-Pepa), Bronson Pinchot "Beverly Hills Cop" and motorcross star Carey Hart.

Contact: Maura Wozniak/VH1 Vanessa Reyes/MTVN 212-846-7325 310-752-8081

And, VH1's "Celebrity Fit Club 2" the third series in this new "Celebreality" slate soared to a 1.4 P18-49 rating, up +34% over the first season premiere and was the highest rated telecast of "Celebrity Fit Club" ever. In addition, the show ranked as the number eight telecast for the night among basic cable's top ten in the 18-49 demo. This fat-burning series stars Gary Busey "The Buddy Holly Story," Jackee Harry "227" and "Sister Sister," Wilie Aames "Eight is Enough," Tocarra Jones "America's Next Top Model," Phil Margera "Viva La Bam," Jani Lane (lead singer of rock group Warrant), Victoria Jackson "Saturday Night Live" and returning hero Wendy Kaufman (The Snapple Lady).

"The numbers confirm what we've seen for a while: our audience is really connecting with our brand strategy of celebrating the music and pop culture figures we all love so much", commented Ben Zurier, Senior Vice President, Programming Strategy, VH1. "And these series all have such great personalities and stories, we're looking forward to where they'll take us next."

These record-breaking ratings follow on the heels of last quarter's 33% increase in VH1's primetime ratings, averaging a .4 in the key 18-49 demo. Q205 also posted VH1's 12th consecutive quarter of total viewer growth. In addition, 2005's second quarter is the most watched second quarter in VH1 history, averaging 559,000 total viewers P 2+ in primetime, a +8% increase compared to the same time period in 2004. For the total viewing day, VH1 averaged 342,000 total viewers P 2+, an 11% increase compared to the same time last year.*

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/.

* All data from Nielsen Media Research

Source: VH1

CONTACT: Maura Wozniak of VH1, +1-212-846-7325, or Vanessa Reyes of MTVN, +1-310-752-8081

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

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