VH1 Primetime Ratings Surge 33% In Third Quarter Among Adult 18-49 Viewers

NEW YORK, Sept. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- VH1 ends third quarter with a number of ratings accomplishments -- including a +33% increase in primetime ratings in the key adult 18-49 demo. 

The music and pop culture network averaged a .4 in primetime among adults 18-49, compared to a .3 in the same quarter in 2011.  The quarter is also VH1's fifth consecutive quarter of primetime growth in the adult 18-49 demo. 

In addition, VH1 averaged 690,000 total viewers in primetime throughout the quarter – an increase of +19% over Q3 2011's average number of total viewers 579,000. 

VH1 was the #1 cable network for women 18-49 on Monday nights for 13 consecutive weeks of this summer thanks to hit series such as "Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta" and "Single Ladies."  For the quarter, VH1 averaged a .6 Women 18-49 L+SD rating in primetime, up +20% over 3Q 2011 levels, and 331,000 Women 18-49 viewers, up +29% over the same quarter a year ago. 

VH1 also turned in a gold medal performance during the Olympics, finishing as one of only three ad-supported cable networks that were up in primetime vs. year-ago levels.  VH1's overall year-to-date primetime ratings are up +33% thanks to these series as well as "Mob Wives," "Basketball Wives," "Behind The Music" and "La La's Full Court Life." 

In addition, VH1 cemented its position as a leader in the social media sphere, generating substantial buzz resulting in multiple trending topics on Twitter and significant upticks in Facebook page likes.  "Love & Hip Hop:  Atlanta" was the #1 most social series non-sports series of the summer on all of television, cable and broadcast, according to Trendrr and SocialGuide.  Part 2 of the series' reunion special on Monday September 3 generated 89 trending topics on Twitter that evening.  "T.I. & Tiny:  The Family Hustle" and "Single Ladies" consistently trended as one of cable's top programs during their premiere telecasts.   

VH1's individual series highlights include:

"Love and Hip Hop: Atlanta"

"Love and Hip Hop: Atlanta" ranked as cable's TOP reality series of the summer among adult 18-49 impressions and women 18-49 throughout the 12 weeks since its premiere on June 18th.  Overall the series averaged 5 million total viewers during premieres plus first encores.  Through all of its premiere episodes, "Love & Hip Hop Atlanta" averaged a 2.1 P18-49 rating Live+SD rating. 

Monday, September 3's 8:00PM* telecast of the season's Reunion Part Two scored a 2.9 in the key P18-49 demo, making it the highest rated episode in the series history.  The episode attracted 6.6 million total viewers when combined with its 10PM* encore episode. 

"Single Ladies"

"Single Ladies" finished its second season on Monday, August 27 as ad-supported cable's #1 regularly scheduled summer scripted series among women 18-49.  The season finale on that evening at 9 PM, posted a series-high 2.0 in the adult 18-49 demo and delivered 2.9 million total viewers.  When combined with its first encore, the finale was seen by 4 million viewers. 

Overall the series averaged 3.2 million total viewers during premieres plus first encores -- up +10% from season 1.  Through its first 12 premiere episodes, "Single Ladies" averaged a 1.4 P18-49 Live+SD rating -- up +17% from season 1.

"T.I. & Tiny: The Family Hustle"

The second season premiere of the first two episodes of "T.I. & Tiny: The Family Hustle" scored a series high as well on Monday, August 27.  The 9PM* broadcast scored a 2.7 in the key P18-49 demo making it the highest rated premiere in franchise history. The 9:30PM* broadcast averaged a 2.5 in the same demo.  "T.I. & Tiny's" two premieres averaged 4.1 million total viewers.  When combined with its first repeats, the episodes averaged 5.5 million total viewers.

Source: NMR, 06/25/12--09/23/12 vs. 06/27/11--09/25/11, L+SD

VH1 connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter to them most with TV series, specials, live events, exclusive online content and public affairs initiatives. VH1 is available in 97 million households in the U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital channels and services including VH1Classic, VH1 Soul, VH1 Mobile, and extensive video on VH1.com.  VH1 is a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.  For more information, go to www.VH1press.com.

SOURCE VH1