BRAVO'S "TOP CHEF: LAS VEGAS" HIT THE JACKPOT AS THE NO. 1 CABLE TELECAST OF THE DAY

"Top Chef Masters" Finales As The Network's Highest Rated First Season Competition Series

Chef Rick Bayless Becomes "Top Chef Master"

NEW YORK - August 20, 2009 - JACKPOT! The No. 1 rated food show on cable is back - Bravo's Emmy and James Beard Award-winning series "Top Chef" grilled the competition last night by becoming the No.1 cable telecast of the day among adults 18-49 and females 18-49, according to Nielsen Media Research. Additionally, with its 9 p.m. premiere, the sixth season debut attracted 1.76 million adults 18-49 and 2.6 million total viewers, and also ranked No. 1 in its time period versus cable competition in adults 18-49. "Top Chef: Las Vegas" returns to its regular time slot, Wednesdays at 10 p.m. next week.

In Prime, Bravo ranked No. 1 among adults 18-49, adults 18-34 (also out delivering CBS), females 18-49 and females 18-34 versus all cable competition. Bravo had its highest rated Wednesday Prime and Wednesday Total Day since October 2008 among adults 18-49 and total viewers.

In the season one finale of "Top Chef Masters" last night, 1.67 million adults 18-49 and 2.42 million total viewers saw Chef Rick Bayless beat out fellow chefs Michael Chiarello and Hubert Keller to become "Top Chef Master." With its seventh consecutive week of gains and series highs in key demos, "Top Chef Masters" was Bravo's highest rated first season competition series. "Top Chef Masters" was the most watched cable telecast in its time slot among adults18-49 and females 18-49 versus cable competition.

"Top Chef: Las Vegas'" showsite on BravoTV.com has generated one million page views and 50,000 video streams from over 100,000 unique visitors in the past day. "Top Chef Masters" connected digitally too, with Wednesday's unique visitation up over 110 percent from last week, video streams improved 106 percent and page views grew 77 percent (to 249,000).

The Emmy-nominated Magical Elves produce "Top Chef: Las Vegas." Dan Cutforth, Jane Lipsitz ("Top Chef Masters," "Project Runway," "Top Design"), Liz Cook and Casey Kriley serve as executive producers. Nan Strait serves as co-executive producer.

"Top Chef Masters" is also produced by the Emmy-nominated Magical Elves. Dan Cutforth, Jane Lipsitz and Shauna Minoprio serve as executive producers. "Top Chef" head judge, renowned culinary figure and chef/owner Craft Restaurants Tom Colicchio serves as consulting producer.

Source: Nielsen Media Research, Live + Same Day through 08/19/09. #1 Food Show source: Top Chef on Bravo Premiere Program Average (4Q08 - 08/19/09) vs. All Food Network Program Averages, Excluding Specials Most Current, P2+ & A18-49 (000), Galaxy Explorer, subject to qualifications available on request; Omniture SiteCatalyst: 8/19-20/09 (Top Chef Las Vegas); 8/19/09 vs. 8/12/09 (Top Chef Masters).

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