LIFETIME Television's Original Drama 'Army Wives' Is Most-Watched Series Premiere in Network's 23-Year History

'Army Wives' Averages 3.5 Million Viewers During Sunday, June 3 Premiere

NEW YORK, June 5 -- Successfully launching the network's bold new summer programming strategy, Lifetime Television's "Army Wives" was the most-watched series premiere in the network's 23-year history when the drama averaged 3.5 million viewers during its Sunday, June 3 at 10PM (ET/PT) debut.

Starring Kim Delaney and Catherine Bell, "Army Wives", an ensemble drama series about the struggles, dreams and friendships of a diverse group of women -- and one man -- living with their spouses and families on an active army post, also scored:

On-Air

-- A 2.9 household rating, Lifetime's highest rating in the Sunday 10PM (ET/PT) time period since December '06;

-- #1 in W18-49 rating versus all ad-supported cable networks in the Sunday 10PM(ET/PT) time period, marking Lifetime's highest time period rating since January '04;

-- Lifetime's highest W18-34 rating in the Sunday 10PM (ET/PT) time period since May '02;

-- Largest P2+ delivery in the Sunday 10PM (ET/PT) time period since December '06;

-- #1 in W25-54 rating versus all ad-supported cable networks in the Sunday 10PM (ET/PT) time period.

Online

-- Video streams of "Army Wives" on LifetimeTV.com rose 94% from Sunday to Monday (first time Lifetime ever streamed an entire episode online);

-- "Army Wives" programming section on LifetimeTV.com had the most traffic of any network program since the August '06 Lifetime Original Movie "The Fantasia Barrino Story: Life Is Not a Fairy Tale," Lifetime's second most-watched movie ever;

-- The series generated the highest traffic to the LifetimeTV.com home page since February '07;

-- Yahoo's "Buzz" index reported the search term "Army Wives" increased 444% from Sunday to Monday, trailing only "Meet the Press" and "Entourage," and ahead of "The Sopranos," and also ranked fifth in Google's Hot Trends on Sunday.

"It's rare to hit the television trifecta, combining outstanding production values, rave reviews from national press and a viewer response that sends the ratings through the roof. But that's what we've accomplished with 'Army Wives.' Here's to our stellar ensemble cast, our executive producers Mark Gordon, Deb Spera, Katherine Fugate, Jeff Melvoin and everyone at ABC Studios, and a terrific team of producers, writers and directors who made this a hit right out of the box," said Susanne Daniels, President, Entertainment, Lifetime Networks.

Continued Daniels, "I'm looking forward to our three-hour Sunday night original drama lineup beginning July 15th, when 'Army Wives' is joined by 'Side Order of Life' and 'State of Mind', all three series which, through their exploration of contemporary women's journeys, exemplify our new programming direction."

Marking the first time a basic cable network has ever premiered three dramas for the same night in the same season, Lifetime premieres "Side Order of Life" on Sunday, July 15 at 8PM (ET/PT). From Academy Award-winning producers Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen ("American Beauty") and creator Margaret Nagle (HBO's "Warm Springs"), the series centers on a young magazine photographer who suddenly re-evaluates her life and impending nuptials after receiving a "wake-up call from the universe." The drama stars Marisa Coughlan ("Boston Legal") and Jason Priestley ("Beverly Hills, 90210").

Following at 9PM (ET/PT) is "State of Mind." From Warner Horizon Television and the executive producing team behind the hit cable series "Nip/Tuck" and "The Closer," Greer Shephard and Michael Robin, the series, created by practicing psychotherapist, author, professor and mother, Amy Bloom, stars Lili Taylor ("Six Feet Under") as a brilliant family therapist whose personal problems rival those of her offbeat patients.

Previously, the most-watched series premieres on Lifetime were the popular dramas "Missing," which starred Vivica A. Fox as an FBI agent and premiered with 3.3 million viewers in 2003, while "The Division", which starred Nancy McKeon and Bonnie Bedelia as San Francisco police officers, premiered in 2001 with 3.2 million viewers.

Filmed on location in Charleston, South Carolina, "Army Wives" stars Emmy(R) Award winner Kim Delaney ("NYPD Blue"), Sally Pressman ("Shark"), Brigid Brannagh ("Over There"), Brian McNamara ("The O.C."), Sterling K. Brown ("Starved"), Wendy Davis ("Commander in Chief"), Drew Fuller ("Charmed") and Catherine Bell ("JAG"). Mark Gordon ("Grey's Anatomy," "Criminal Minds") and The Mark Gordon Company's President of Production, Deborah Spera ("Criminal Minds") serve as executive producers. Jeff Melvoin ("Alias") serves as executive producer and show runner. Katherine Fugate ("The Prince & Me") created the series and also serves as executive producer and writer. The series is based on the book Under the Sabers: The Unwritten Code of Army Wives by Tanya Biank, who serves as a consultant. "Army Wives" is produced by ABC Studios.

Premiering before "Army Wives" from 8-10PM (ET/PT), the Lifetime Original Movie "Write & Wrong," which starred Kirstie Alley, averaged 2.6 million viewers and a 2.2 household rating.

LIFETIME is the leader in women's television and one of the top-rated basic cable television networks. A diverse, multi-media company, LIFETIME is committed to offering the highest quality entertainment and information programming, and advocating a wide range of issues affecting women and their families. LIFETIME Television, LMN, Lifetime Real Women and Lifetime Digital (including LifetimeTV.com) are part of LIFETIME Entertainment Services, a 50/50 joint venture of The Hearst Corporation and The Walt Disney Company.

SOURCE LIFETIME Television
http://www.lifetimetv.com