NBC UNIVERSAL DOMESTIC TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION'S NEW DAYTIME SERIES "MARTHA" SCORES STRONG PREMIERE WEEK RATINGS
Highest-Rated Daytime Hour Launch Since Dr. Phil
"Martha" Averaging 2.4 Million Viewers Per Episode And Improving Time Periods In 18 of the Top 20 Markets
UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. and NEW YORK -- September 27, 2005 -- NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution's new series "Martha" scored strong results in its first week of national ratings, debuting as the highest-rated new one-hour daytime syndication launch since "Dr. Phil" and overall, "Martha" is improving time periods in 18 of the nation's top 20 markets.
"Martha" delivered a 2.0 HH rating for its premiere week (Sept. 12-16), averaging 2.4 million viewers per telecast, according to Nielsen Media Research.
"Martha's" premiere week ratings are better than the 16 daytime syndicated one-hour series that have debuted since "Dr. Phil" in fall 2002, including "Ellen," which debuted in 2003, with a 1.4 national household rating.
"'Martha' has quickly become a hit with the daytime audience and is improving local station time period ratings from coast to coast," said Wallach. "The show's "How-To" programming and Martha's interaction with the audience and her guests are proving to be a winning combination."
"Martha's" 11-day premiere-to-date metered-market average rating is a 2.1HH, up +24% over its year ago time period ratings (September 2004,) up +31% over the May 2005 sweep time period rating and +5% over lead-in ratings.
"Martha" continues to deliver impressive ratings in many of America's top markets, including on WNBC-TV New York, where it improves on the station's year ago time period household rating by +100% (2.2 vs. 1.1).
Other major market highlights for the first two weeks of "Martha" include:
� On WMAQ-TV Chicago, "Martha's" has averaged a 2.3HH rating, improving its year ago time period by 53%.
� On WXYZ-TV Detroit, "Martha" has averaged a 4.4HH rating, ranking #1 in its time period in households and improving on its year ago time period by 19%.
� On KARE-TV Minneapolis, "Martha" has averaged a 2.4HH rating, improving its year ago time period by 85%.
� On WEWS-TV Cleveland, "Martha" has averaged a 3.5HH rating, ranking #1 in its time period in households and improving its year ago time period by 35%.
"Martha" is executive produced by Martha Stewart and Mark Burnett. Co-executive producer is Rob Dauber. The series is produced by Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia and distributed by NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution to more than 98% of the country.
About NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution
NBC Universal is a leader in providing entertainment programming to the domestic and international marketplaces. The NBC Universal Television Distribution division is responsible for the global distribution of NBC Universal product to all forms of television throughout the world. This includes distribution of current and library film and television product, including formats and non-scripted programming, in the pay, free, and basic markets, as well as the domestic syndication of first-run syndicated TV programs and theatrical and TV movie packages.
Current and upcoming first-run strip syndicated programming at NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution includes Martha, Access Hollywood, Blind Date, The Jerry Springer Show, Maury and Starting Over. Current and upcoming first-run weekly syndicated programming includes The Chris Matthews Show, The George Michael Sports Machine, Rebecca's Garden, The Wall Street Journal Report with Maria Bartiromo, Your Total Health and the off-network distribution of Crossing Jordan, Fear Factor, Providence, Law & Order and many more series.
About Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc.
Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. (NYSE: MSO) is a leading provider of original "how-to" information, inspiring and engaging consumers with unique lifestyle content and high-quality products. MSLO is organized into four business segments: Publishing, Television, Merchandising, and Internet/Direct Commerce. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol MSO.
About Mark Burnett Productions
Mark Burnett Productions (MBP) is a leading production company in the world of primetime non-fiction television. MBP revolutionized television with hits such as Eco-Challenge, Survivor, The Apprentice, The Contender and Rockstar:INXS. MBP also successfully reintroduced product placement as an integral part of each of its shows and has garnered a total of 24 Emmy nominations since 2001. Mark Burnett was listed as the #1 Most Valuable Player by TV Guide and in Time Magazine's Top 100 most influential people in the world today.
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