New York, NY, March 21, 2006 – WE: Women’s Entertainment announced today that its new original series John Edward Cross Country, which premiered on Friday, March 17 at 10 pm ET, scored record ratings to now become the highest rated WE original series premiere ever. Returning a 1.2 HH RTG and 672K HH Audience, John Edward Cross Country bested both the Bridezillas season two and American Princess premieres, which were previously tied as the highest rated original series premieres on WE. In addition to scoring record ratings for an original series premiere on WE, John Edward Cross Country also received the highest W25-54 delivery for a WE original series premiere and posted the highest HH RTG and highest W18-49 and W25-54 deliveries of the day on the network.
“We are thrilled with the success of our launch of John Edward Cross Country, which further demonstrates the increased awareness and importance of the WE brand,” said Kim Martin, Executive Vice President & General Manager of WE: Women’s Entertainment. “Since joining the network a little over a year ago, we have been committed to producing quality original programming that resonates with our viewers. The ratings achievement of John Edward Cross Country and our other originals is proof that this plan is not only taking shape, but driving the network to success.”
Today’s announcement comes on the heels of WE’s best season on record to date. The 05/06 season is pacing to be the best in WE’s history for Prime M-Su 8p-11p delivery of HH, W18-34, W18-49 and W25-54. To date in 05/06, WE has +147% more original telecasts than in the same time period during the 04/05 season.
John Edward Cross Country is a documentary style series that shows acclaimed psychic medium John Edward as he travels across America to do readings, and follows him as he goes home with some of the families he has helped during his large group sessions. JECO Productions produces the series.
**Source: Nielsen Media Research, Cumulative ratings and delivery for John Edward Cross Country telecasts on 3/17/06 at 10p, 11p & 2a
**Source: Nielsen Media Research, 04/05 STD 09/27/04-02/27/05 vs 05/06 STD 09/26/05-02/26/06 Live HH, Women 18-34, Women 18-49, Women 25-54 Audience; Prime M-Su 8p-11p. WE Originals based on Prime M-Su 8p-11p telecasts 04/05 STD 09/27/04-02/27/05 vs 05/06 STD 09/26/05-02/26/06.
About WE: Women’s Entertainment:
WE: Women’s Entertainment is the only cable network dedicated to helping women connect to one another and the world around them. With quality original programming including the hit series “Bridezillas,” unique movie packages like “Three Men and A Chick Flick,” topical specials and its public affairs initiative WE Empowers Women, the network supports women and appeals to their interests in pop culture, relationships and personal style. WE: Women’s Entertainment is a subsidiary of Rainbow Entertainment Services and is currently seen in over 58 million homes.