THE CW KICKS OFF WITH ITS FIRST TWO NIGHTS OF ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING The CW Made its Official Debut Wednesday As The Number One Network In Adults 18-34 And Women 18-34

"America's Next Top Model" Delivers Best Premiere EVER in Adults 18-49;

Matches Series' Best Debut in Adults 18-34, Women 18-34 and Women 18-49

"Friday Night SmackDown" Debut Lifts CW To Second In Target Demo Of Men 18-34

"Top Model" and "SmackDown" Boost Several Top 10 Markets in Key Demos

September 26, 2006 (Burbank, CA) - The CW Network made its debut with its first two nights of programming (Wednesday and Friday) and two shows ("America's Next Top Model" and "Friday Night SmackDown") during the week ending Sept. 24. The majority of the CW's fall schedule will roll out with original episodes this week ("Veronica Mars" premieres on Tuesday, Oct. 3).

Despite moving to new local stations in more that two-thirds of the country, both "Top Model" and "SmackDown" got off to strong starts for The CW, out-pacing the competition in their respective key demos and delivering improvements over their year ago performances (see below).

Wednesday 9/20/06

The CW officially launched as Wednesday's number one network in its target demos, winning the night in adults 18-34 (3.2/10) and women 18-34 (4.9/14), with the premiere of "America's Next Top Model."

"America's Next Top Model" scored the series' best premiere ever in adults 18-49 (2.6/7), and matched its best premiere performance in adults 18-34, women 18-34 and women 18-49 (3.8/10). "Top Model" also delivered its second most watched premiere ever (5.261mil).

According to Nielsen data in local peoplemeter markets, "Top Model" gave The CW's local stations in the top 10 markets a dramatic competitive edge.

In 8 of the Top 10 markets, The CW was the top-rated network in women 18-34, including New York (7.6/25, beating all network competition combined from 8-10:00 PM), Los Angeles (6.3/18), Chicago (5.7/19), Philadelphia (9.9/24), San Francisco (4.2/14), Dallas (4.7/17), Atlanta (8.0/20) and Detroit (5.5/14).

In 7 of the Top 10 markets, The CW was the number one network in adults 18-34, including New York (4.5/16), Los Angeles (4.4/13), Chicago (3.7/12), Philadelphia (6.7/19), San Francisco (2.3/8), Atlanta (4.8/14) and Detroit (4.0/11).

"Top Model" steadily grew in each half hour in every key demo and viewers. By the 9:30 final half hour, the hit series had improved by 25% in adults 18-34, 34% in women 18-34, 27% in adults 18-49, 23% in women 18-49 and 21% in viewers.

"Top Model" improved across the board over last fall's Cycle 5 premiere by 7% in adults 18-34, 4% in women 18-34, 13% in adults 18-49 and 9% in women 18-49.

The debut of "Top Model" on The CW delivered double-digit increases over the Wednesdays premieres on the WB last fall (10/5/05) by 68% in adults 18-34, 89% in women 18-34, 73% in adults 18-49 and 81% in women 18-49.

Friday 9/22/06

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). "SmackDown" also beat Fox in adults 18-34 (1.4/6) and viewers (3.7mil).

"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.

"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.

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).