The Suite Life on Deck sets sail on Family Channel with record-breaking premiere ratings

    
    October 13 debut of Disney series the biggest series premiere ever on
    Family
    

TORONTO, Oct. 20 /CNW/ - The highly anticipated new Disney series The Suite Life on Deck attracted record ratings on Astral Media's Family Channel for its October 13, 2008, debut. As part of a special Thanksgiving Day marathon, Family broadcast the first two episodes of this series, starring Dylan and Cole Sprouse, back-to-back and audiences ate them up - each episode beat out the previous record set in March 2008. These ratings follow on the heels of a successful 2008 broadcast season for Family Channel that saw the network emerge as Canada's number one pay-and-specialty channel in the country in a number of demographics, including People 2+.

Viewers were eager to watch the television premiere of this spin-off of the successful Disney series The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, all the more so when Family.ca made the first two episodes available online a week prior to the network broadcast.

Produced by The Walt Disney Company, the Canadian television premiere of the first two episodes of The Suite Life on Deck on October 13 garnered ratings of 408,500 and 405,300(1) respectively, an average of 26% more viewers than the previous record holder, making it Family Channel's most-watched series premiere ever. The double premieres were also the number one and two rated shows among Family Channel's key demographic of 8-14 year olds for October 13.(2)

"We're delighted that viewers turned out in record numbers to catch The Suite Life on Deck, which has quickly found a spot alongside the very best from Disney," said Joe Tedesco, Vice President and General Manager, Family Channel and Playhouse Disney. "With hit series like Hannah Montana, Wizards of Waverly Place, and Cory in the House, Disney is re-writing the book on how to create engaging live-action comedies that resonate with kids - we're proud to deliver this to Canadians as only Family Channel can."

Among Family's core demographic, Family Channel programs dominate weekly BBM Nielsen Media Research Top 20 lists, averaging 18 of the top 20 most-watched programs among 8-14 year olds in the 2008 broadcast season.(3) Over the entire 2008 broadcast season, Family extended this success to secure the number one spot in several categories, including:

    
    -  the number one pay-and-specialty channel for P2+ (number five
       English-language channel, behind conventional channels such as CTV,
       Global and CBC);
    -  number one among 8-14 year olds for four years running; and,
    -  number one among all Teens 12-17 for the third year in a row.(4)
    

Family Channel is a premium, commercial-free network offering the best in family television entertainment in 5.7 million homes across Canada. Dedicated to celebrating family life and providing a fun experience for all, Family airs a unique mix of series, movies and specials, with a large portion of programming supplied by Disney. Visit us at family.ca. Family Channel is an Astral Television Network.

Astral Media is a leading Canadian media company, active in specialty and pay television, radio, outdoor advertising and iMedia. Astral Media's solid and dynamic presence in the country's major markets rests on its commitment to offer a unique combination of high-quality, targeted media for all its audiences.

    
    1.  Source: BBM Nielsen Media Research -Total Canada- P2+ October 13th -
        6:00 p.m. ET/PT - Family Channel, compared to historical series
        premiere ratings.
    2.  Source: BBM Nielsen Media Research -Total Canada- P8-14 All English
        Stations 6a-6a.
    3.  Source: BBM Nielsen Media Research -Total Canada- Ranked
        by P8-14 AMA (000) All English Stations broadcast year 2007-2008
        weeks 1-53
    4.  Source: BBM Nielsen Media Research -Total Canada- Share Broadcast
        Years 2005/06 to 2007/08
    

Contacts

Scott Campbell at (416) 956-8648 or scampbell@tv.astral.com