CW Tops Fox in Adults 18-34 and Viewers

“SmackDown” Moves to New Stations in Over Two-Thirds of US and Improves Over Same Night Year Ago in Men 18-34 and Viewers

 “SmackDown” Ranks First or Second in Adults 18-34 in Top Markets, including New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Atlanta

September 25, 2006 (Burbank, CA) – The debut of “Friday Night SmackDown” lifted The CW to a second place finish for the night in the target demo of men 18-34 (1.9/8), according to Live Plus Same Day National Nielsen
ratings for Friday, Sept 22.  “SmackDown” also beat Fox in adults 18-34 (1.4/6) and viewers (3.7mil).

Despite moving to a new local station in more than two-thirds of the country, “SmackDown’s” CW debut improved by 19% in men 18-34 and 28,000 viewers versus the same night last year on UPN (9/23/05).  “SmackDown” matched the same night last year in adults 18-34.

“SmackDown” is a dramatic improvement over the WB’s original line-up of comedies on the same night a year ago, with increases of 27% in adults 18-34, 217% in men 18-34 and 28% in viewers.

According to Nielsen data in local peoplemeter markets, “SmackDown” was a competitive force for The CW’s local stations in the top 10 markets, winning Friday night in adults 18-34 in Philadelphia (3.6/13).  “SmackDown” placed second in adults 18-34 in New York (2.2/8), Los Angeles (1.8/6) and Atlanta (1.5/5).

Media Contact:

Paul Hewitt       818-977-6171             paul.hewitt@cwtv.com