VH1's Hit Series "Mob Wives" Returns With a Ratings Vengeance

3.5 Million Tune-In For First Episode on New Year's Night

Lands 11 Twitter Trending Topics and 10,000 Facebook Likes

NEW YORK, Jan. 4, 2012 -- To Tweet This Release: http://on.vh1.com/mobwivesPR

VH1's hit series "Mob Wives" started off 2012 with a ratings bang on Sunday, New Year's Day. The second season premiere episode at 8 PM averaged a 1.4 in the Adult 18-49 demo - a +56% increase over the first season's premiere episode - and ranked as the #1 telecast on basic cable in its 8 pm time period slot among adults 18-49, women 18-49 and women 18-34.

The 8 PM telecast on January 1 was seen by 2.4 million total viewers. The premiere episode attracted 3.5 million total viewers when combined with its 9 PM encore.

"Mob Wives" generated heat on social media platforms that evening with 11 trending topics on Twitter, including #MobWives, as well as for the wives themselves: Drita, Carla, Renee and Karen and new cast members Ramona and "Big Ang." In addition, VH1's Mob Wives page on Facebook saw tremendous activity resulting in more than 10,000 new "likes."

The second season of "Mob Wives" picks up where the first left off - with each cast member dealing with major personal life issues. The rift between Karen and Drita is far from over - will they ever be able to 'bury the hatchet?' Renee goes under the knife for major plastic surgery that may have some unexpected consequences, while also contemplating her future with her ex-husband Junior. Drita is considering her options when it comes to leaving her husband Lee - while Carla's relationship with her estranged husband Joe may take an unexpected twist. And, of course, everyone wants to know what's in Karen's soon-to-be-released book - the one she moved back to New York to write!

Last season, "Mob Wives" gave viewers an unfiltered look into the closed-door society of Renee, Karen, Carla and Drita, four, struggling "allegedly" associated women who have to pick up the pieces and carry on while their husbands or fathers do time for Mob-related activities. United by a bond which few understand, the women are all struggling with their identities and their futures as they raise their kids as single parents in the New York City area.

Created by Jennifer Graziano of JustJenn Productions, "Mob Wives" is produced by The Weinstein Company (Bob Weinstein, Harvey Weinstein), Electus (Ben Silverman, Jimmy Fox) and Left/Right (Banks Tarver, Ken Druckerman and Nina Diaz), with Electus/Engine Distribution owning distribution rights across all platforms including television, motion picture, and digital. Executive producers for VH1 include Shelly Tatro, Kari McFarland, Rick Hankey and Jeff Olde. Sean Gottlieb serves as supervising producer for VH1.

VH1 connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter to them most with TV series, specials, live events, exclusive online content and public affairs initiatives. VH1 is available in 99 million households in the U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital channels and services including VH1Classic, VH1 Soul, VH1 Mobile, and extensive video on VH1.com. Connect with VH1 at VH1.com.

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