>STAMFORD, Conn., April 3, 2001 – Ratings for WWE Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: WWE) television programs continue to rise since the company’s acquisition of World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and a record setting WrestleMania spectacular this past Sunday night. According to Nielsen, last night’s WWE RAW IS WAR on The National Network (TNN/9:00pm – 11:09pm EDT) achieved a 5.7 rating/8 share (cable coverage), reaching more than 4.58 million households – breaking its own record and making it the most watched program ever on TNN. Additionally, last Thursday’s episode of WWE SmackDown! on UPN delivered a 4.9 rating/9 share, up 14% from the previous week.
>"We have seen double digit percentage increases in virtually every key demographic on both programs. This is an extremely encouraging sign as we prepare for the re-launch of the WCW brand next month and the ongoing evolution of the WWE brand," said Stuart C. Snyder, President and COO of WWE Entertainment. "The record-setting attendance and gate revenue at Sunday’s WrestleMania and the positive response to our television programming since the WCW acquisition continue to highlight the growth potential of our core business going forward."
>Among teens, WWE RAW IS WAR was the #1 program in primetime last night delivering an 8.2 rating among Males 12-17 and a 5.5 rating among Persons 12-17, topping the NCAA College Basketball Championships on CBS. Overall, last night’s show delivered a 21% increase (1 rating point) over last week’s show and was the highest rated episode of 2001. From the previous week, WWE RAW IS WAR delivered a 38% increase in Males 18-24. For the third week in a row, ratings increased in virtually every female demographic.
>"WWE RAW IS WAR continues to attract growing audiences to TNN," says Diane Robina, Executive Vice President and General Manager, TNN. "Vince McMahon has created a phenomenon that draws millions of fans, even in the most competitive time periods."
