TNT Chalks Up Dramatic Win over Two Broadcast Networks, Tops Ad-Supported Cable in Q3 2005

September 27, 2005

With the hit dramatic originals The Closer, Into The West and Wanted leading the way, TNT became the first ad-supported cable network in history to beat two broadcast networks for an entire quarter, according to data from Nielsen Media Research. In addition, TNT ranked as ad-supported cable�s #1 network for the quarter in prime delivery of adults 18-49, adults 25-54, persons 2+ and households, setting records in the latter two categories, and in total day delivery of adults 25-54, setting a record in that category, as well. TBS and TNT both showed growth vs. Q3 2004, while TBS also claimed the quarter�s top movie presentation and top four sitcoms.

Q3 2005 ratings highlights for TNT and TBS:

- Overall in prime time, TNT ranked as ad-supported cable�s #1 network among adults 18-49 (1,159,000), adults 25-54 (1,289,000), persons 2+ (2,703,000) and households (2,042,000), setting records for best-ever Q3 performance by an ad-supported network among persons 2+ and households and tying the record (set by TNT in Q3 1997) among adults 25-54.

- In total day, TNT was ad-supported cable�s #1 network for the quarter among adults 25-54 (691,000), setting a record for best-ever Q3 performance by an ad-supported cable in that category.

- Both TNT and TBS showed growth in prime time and total day among adults 18-49, adults 25-54, persons 2+ and households.

- TNT claimed three of ad-supported cable�s top five new original series for the quarter among adults 18-49 (#1 The Closer, #2 Wanted, #5 Into The West) and adults 25-54 (#1 The Closer, #2 Into The West, #3 Wanted), based on the premiere telecast average with a three-telecast minimum.

- TNT�s NASCAR coverage had a banner year, with the Sunday, July 24, coverage of the Nextel Cup Race at Pocono (5,137,000 households) and the Sunday, July 17, coverage of the Nextel Cup Race at Loudon (4,954,000) ranking as cable�s top two NASCAR races of all time in household delivery.

- TBS is the home of ad-supported cable�s top four sitcoms for the quarter in delivery of adults 18-49: Sex and the City, Everybody Loves Raymond, Seinfeld and Friends.

- TBS and TNT combined to deliver 14 of ad-supported cable�s top 20 movie telecasts for the quarter among adults 18-49, with TBS�s Sunday, July 24, telecast of The Waterboy ranking #1 (2,527,000) and TNT�s Friday, Sept. 2, telecast of Forrest Gump ranking #2 (2,174,000).

For Q3 2005, the combined seven broadcast networks household share of 32.7 was down 13 percent vs. Q3 2004. Meanwhile, ad-supported cable posted a 60.9 household share, up 8 percent vs. Q3 2004. For first week in the 2005-06 season, the combined seven broadcast networks household share of 44.8 is down 4 percent vs. the first week of the 2004-05 season. Ad-supported cable posted a 54.3 household share, up 4 percent vs. the first week of the 2004-05 season.

For September, TNT ranked as ad-supported cable�s #1 network in prime time among adults 25-54 (1,305,000) and in total day among adults 18-49 (648,000) and adults 25-54 (668,000). The Monday, Sept. 5, season finale of The Closer ranked as ad-supported cable�s top series telecast for the month among persons 2+ (6,390,000) and households (4,614,000).

TBS is television�s "very funny" network, serving as home to such hot contemporary comedies as Sex and the City, Everybody Loves Raymond, Family Guy, Seinfeld and Friends; original comedy series and specials, such as the upcoming Daisy Does America and Earth to America!; blockbuster movies; and hosted movie showcases.

Turner Network Television (TNT), television�s destination for drama and one of cable�s top-rated networks, offers original movies and series, including Into the West, an epic six-week television event from DreamWorks Television and master storyteller and executive producer Steven Spielberg; the detective drama series The Closer, starring Kyra Sedgwick, and the action-packed crime series Wanted, with Gary Cole; powerful one-hour dramas, such as Law & Order, Without a Trace, Alias, Las Vegas, Cold Case, ER, NYPD Blue, Charmed, Judging Amy and Angel; broadcast premiere movies; and championship sports coverage, including NASCAR and the NBA. TNT is also available in high-definition.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, is a major producer of news and entertainment product around the world and a leading provider of programming for the television industry.