More People Watching TV

24 May 2006

More People Watching TV

More people are watching television this year than in 2005, according to year to date viewership figures for 2006.

PUT (People Using Television) levels are the highest in 15 years (with the exception of 2004), with regular programming driving much of the growth.

Key TVNZ series such as Dancing with the Stars, Lost, Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy, Auction House, ONE News, Shortland Street McLeod's Daughters and Coronation Street have contributed significantly to this growth.

Lauren James, TVNZ General Manager Sales said, "We are pleased to report that PUT levels are improving across most demos, particularly with younger audiences and viewers in Auckland."

"New Zealand is following international trends, as the US, UK and Australian markets all reported increased levels of television viewership in 2005."

To maintain the PUT gains, TVNZ has a wide range of returning programmes for the second half of the year including NZ Idol; Without a Trace; e.r.; The Sopranos; Scrubs; Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and Hustle. They will be joined by new programmes such as Old Christine; Rome; Hotel Babylon; Life on Mars; Ends of the Earth and NZ House & Garden.

Year to date, 49 of the top 50 programmes watched by viewers AP 5+ were on either TV ONE or TV2.*

ENDS

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