NIELSEN FIGURES CONFIRM TV3 IS THE ONLY TERRESTRIAL CHANNEL TO GROW SHARE

TV3 GROUP RELEASE
IMMEDIATE: Tuesday 2nd March 2010

Ratings confirm that TV3 was the only Irish or UK terrestrial channel to increase share of audience across January and February

Quality home-produced shows behind a 6% growth in ratings

3e became the second biggest digital channel in February

AGB Nielsen data today confirmed that TV3 was the only Irish or UK terrestrial channel to increase its Adult share of television viewing across January and February with the station’s share growing by 6% since the start of the year. Viewers were drawn to TV3 by an increasing number of home-produced offerings such as Ireland’s Crime Capitals with 251,000 viewers, Ireland’s Animal A&E with 175,000 viewers and the IFTA award-winning Tonight with Vincent Browne with 166,000 viewers, as well as live UEFA Champions League (316,000), Midweek (164,000) and Deal or No Deal (250,000).

AGB Nielsen data also confirmed that 3e saw its share of viewing increase 44% year on year in the first two months of the year, and its share of the key multichannel 15-34 audience up 100% in February 2010 v. February 2009. Boosted by high viewing figures to first-look shows such as the new US drama phenomenon Glee and brand new animation Cleveland as well as live and exclusive coverage of the UEFA Europa League, 3e became the second biggest non-terrestrial channel in February, competing against 200+ imported channels.

Director of Programming Ben Frow said: ”Our commitment to producing more high quality, home-produced programming is the key to our rating success, and we remain determined to give the viewers what they want – great TV seven days a week. For 3e to become the second most-viewed digital channel against hundreds of foreign channels is a notable success for Irish broadcasting.”

ENDS.

For further information:
Maureen Catterson/ Ciara Byrne
TV3 PRESS OFFICE
+353 1 419 3430/ 329
+353 87 7800 737/ +353 87 319 9732
Maureen.catterson@tv3.ie
Ciara.byrne@tv3.ie
publicity@tv3.ie
www.tv3.ie

NOTES TO EDITOR: Share increases refer to National Adult 15+ All Day Share of Viewing Jan-Feb 2010 v Jan-Feb 2009. Source: AGB Nielsen Media Research.