December was a month to remember for TV
Guide Network, as it delivered its highest program ratings of
the year driven by two marquee events: the "I Dreamed A Dream: The
Susan Boyle Story” exclusive television special and telecasts of "Dirty
Dancing,” the beloved fan-favorite film from the extensive library
of Lionsgate. "I Dreamed A Dream: The Susan Boyle Story” became the
highest rated television special in TV Guide Network’s history, and
"Dirty Dancing” became TV Guide Network’s highest rated Friday night
premiere of all time. Both programs delivered triple-digit gains among
women 25-54 for the network over prior year. TV Guide Network’s
primetime household coverage rating for December 2009 increased 20
percent among total households versus prior year, reaching a total of 35
million viewers (persons 2+).
"Acquiring a highly sought after television special on Susan Boyle
combined with telecasts of the seminal movie hit "Dirty Dancing” ensured
that we finished off 2009 with a solid ratings performance,” said Ryan
O’Hara, President of TV Guide Network and TVGuide.com. "We look forward
to carrying this momentum forward in 2010 as TV Guide Network continues
to grow as a top destination for buzz-worthy entertainment programming.”
"I Dreamed A Dream: The Susan Boyle Story” premiered exclusively
on TV Guide Network on Sunday, December 13 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT. The
television special delivered a 1.0 coverage rating (765,000 HH) for the
8:00 p.m. telecast and a .8 HH coverage rating (665,000 HH) for the 9:00
p.m. encore and were TV Guide Network’s #1 and #2 highest rated
telecasts of 2009. In addition, the premiere delivered a 225 percent
increase among women 25-54 versus prior year. TV Guide Network secured
the exclusive rights to air "I Dreamed A Dream: The Susan Boyle Story”
amidst the singer’s meteoric rise on the U.S. and worldwide music charts.
"Dirty Dancing” delivered TV Guide Network’s best Friday night
ratings and reach when it aired on Friday, December 4 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT
and 11:00 p.m. ET/PT. The premiere and encore telecasts reached four
million viewers (persons 2+), a 31 percent increase over the prior
year’s time period reach. In addition, the premiere delivered a 111
percent increase among women 25-54 versus prior year. "Dirty Dancing”
also aired on TV Guide Network as a 12-hour marathon on Christmas day
and delivered a triple digit increase (118 percent) among women 18-49
versus same time period on Christmas day in 2008.
About TV Guide Network
TV Guide Network is the true entertainment insider and the only network
that celebrates Hollywood, its stars and the shows that fans adore.
Committed to buzz-worthy, breakout programming and a rich,
multi-platform viewing experience, TV Guide Network is seen in more than
80 million homes nationwide and online at TVGuide.com, a one-stop fan
destination serving 21 million unique users per month. TV Guide Network
is home to some of America’s fan-favorite series including "Curb Your
Enthusiasm," "Ugly Betty” and "American Idol Rewind.” The network also
takes fans behind-the-scenes of Hollywood with original programming that
delivers the latest news on entertainment and pop culture, as well as
live coverage of the industry’s biggest events such as the Red Carpet at
the Academy Awards® and Primetime Emmy® Awards. TV Guide Network,
TVGuide.com and the TV Guide brand are owned by Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF),
the leading next-generation studio and producer of award-winning series
"Mad Men” and "Weeds,” and One Equity Partners, the private equity arm
of JPMorgan Chase.
For additional press information and photography, visit TV Guide
Network’s press room at: www.tvguidenetworkpr.com.
