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WE: Women's Entertainment Posts 50% Ratings Increase Year Over Year in 1st Quarter 2006

Best Quarter Ever in Delivery Growth with Significant Increases in Key Demos

New York, NY, April 5, 2006 – WE: Women's Entertainment announced today that the network has experienced 50% ratings increase year over year in 1Q 2006, with its strongest quarter ever in delivery. The following are among the highlights announced today:

  • Overall Growth – With a strong commitment to original programming, further dedication to its new public affairs initiative and a focus on providing quality shows that resonate with the network's audience, WE is seeing positive results with significant increases in ratings and delivery:

    – 1Q 06 Primetime HH ratings (0.3 HH RTG) an increase in WE ratings of 50% year to year (0.2 in 1Q 05).
    – 1Q 06 Primetime HH delivery (166,000) is WE's highest quarterly delivery ever, up 34% year to year (124,000 in 1Q '05).
    – WE ranks #1 (tied with HLN) for Prime HH ratings growth from 1Q05 to 1Q06, up 50% 0.2 to 0.3
  • Targeting Women – As a television destination for women WE is focused on reaching its target demographic, and the network is succeeding … WE is a top 5 ranked ad supported cable network for delivery growth on the following demos (% change) from 1Q05 to 1Q06 during Prime:

    – +56% W18-34
    – +55% W18-49
    – +51% W25-49
    – +47% W25-54
  • Original Programming : WE's slate of quality original programming continues to grow, and is a significant factor of the network's ratings success. Nine of the top 25 rated programs in 1Q06 (36%, more than one third) were original series episodes or specials.

"We are very excited with the success we are seeing," said Kim Martin, WE's General Manager & Executive Vice President. "Since I joined the network a little over a year ago we have been committed to producing quality original programming that engages our viewers. With such strong increase in ratings and delivery, this signifies that our plan is not only taking shape, but also driving the network towards future success."

WE's commitment to original programming has been a key contributor to the network's record ratings success. To date in the 05/06 season, WE has +197% more original telecasts during Prime M-Su 8p-11p than in the same time period during the 04/05 season. 2006 continues with a strong lineup of series and specials including John Edward Cross Country, Two Funny: Cotter & Louise, Skating's Next Star, and a third season of the network's hit series Bridezillas. John Edward Cross Country, which premiered on Friday, March 17 at 10 pm ET, scored record ratings becoming the highest rated WE original series premiere ever.

**Source: Nielsen Media Research, Prime M-Su 8p-11p daypart average for 1Q06 12/26/05-3/26/06 vs. 1Q05 (12/27/04-3/27/05); Highest quarterly HH delivery based on quarterly averages from 12/31/01-3/26/06 for Prime M-Su 8p-11p; Demo delivery based on % change from 1Q06 12/26/05-3/26/06 vs. 1Q05 (12/27/04-3/27/05) during Prime M-Su 8p-11p; Original as a % of total Prime M-Su 8p-11p based on top 25 telecasts ranked by HH AA% during 1Q06 (12/26/05-3/26/06).

Press Contacts

  • Heather Ross
    212-324-4748