BRAVO'S "THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF NEW JERSEY" BRINGS IN BIG HAIR, BIG DRAMA AND THE HIGHEST RATED HOUSEWIVES FRANCHISE SERIES PREMIERE EVER

"The Real Housewives Of New York City" Reunion Scores Highest Rated Episode Of The Series With Over Two Million Viewers

NEW YORK - May 13, 2009 - Bravo's "Real Housewives" enjoyed record ratings on Tuesday, with the premiere of "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" posting the highest rated franchise series premiere ever in all demos, and part one of "The Real Housewives of New York City" reunion special scoring the series highest numbers to-date, with over two million total viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research.

The premiere episode of the highly anticipated series, "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" delivered 1.26 million adults 18-49 and 1.72 million total viewers. Compared to the series premiere of "The Real Housewives of Atlanta," the Jersey Girls were up 186 percent in adults 18-49 (v. 441,000) and 161 percent in total viewers (v. 656,000). Compared to the series premiere of "The Real Housewives of New York City," their bridge and tunnel sisters were up 91 percent in adults 18-49 (v. 659,000) and 108 percent in total viewers (vs. 824,000).And, compared to the series premiere of "The Real Housewives of Orange County," New Jersey was up a whopping 341 percent among adults 18-49 (vs. 286,000) and 299 percent among total viewers (vs. 430,000). The series will continue in its regularly scheduled time slot next week, Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

Part one of "The Real Housewives of New York City" reunion special earned the series' highest rated episode to-date in all demographics, with 1.598 million adults 18-49 and 2.29 million total viewers tuning in. The episode was also up double digits among total viewers versus last week's season two finale, and ranked as the No. 1 cable telecast of the day among females 18-49. The second season of Bravo's "The Real Housewives of New York City" marked its highest rated cycle yet, growing 59 percent among adults 18-49 (1.21 million vs. 764,000) and 62 percent in total viewers (1.67 million vs. 1.03 million) versus the season one average. Part two of "The Real Housewives of New York City" reunion special airs tomorrow, Thursday, May 14 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. For a sneak peek of all the drama, check out http://www.bravotv.com/the-real-housewives-of-new-york-city/videos/friends-or-not-friends.

The reunion special will be immediately followed by the second episode of "The Fashion Show" Thursday at 10 p.m. ET/PT. This week the designers must create a head to toe look on a very small budget for socialite and special guest judge, Tinsley Mortimer. For a sneak peek check out http://www.bravotv.com/the-fashion-show/videos/one-of-new-yorks-premier-socialites.

Source: Nielsen Media Research, Live + Same Day through 5/12/09

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