TV ONE’S THE RICKEY SMILEY SHOW PROPELS NETWORK TO NEW RATINGS RECORD
Series Delivers Highest Rated Original Premiere in Network’s History
Second Original Episode Airing Improves on Premiere by 10% in Target Demo P25-54
SILVER SPRING (September 20, 2012) – TV One continues its strong ratings momentum scoring network ratings highs with its newest comedy The Rickey Smiley Show. The series, airing Tuesday nights at 9pm, ET, delivered the highest rated premiere in the history of the network.
The premiere episode garnered a 1.08 HH rating, delivering 621,000 homes and among P25-54, earned a .75 rating, delivering 468,000 viewers. The second original episode airing at 9:30pm improved on the premiere, garnering a 1.12 HH rating, delivering 642,000 homes and among 25-54, earned a .83 rating with a delivery of 515,000 viewers. Over the four telecasts of the premieres and encores, The Rickey Smiley Show had a P2+ gross average audience of nearly 2.3 million viewers.
The show stars Rickey Smiley, as a comedian, nationally syndicated radio personality, and single father of three juggling life at work and at home. Upcoming guest appearances include actress Lisa Raye, gospel music sensation Fred Hammond, renowned rapper Waka Flocka and Rickey as his signature characters “Bernice Jenkins” and “Joe Willie.”
Wonya Lucas, TV One President and CEO commented, “TV One’s investment in original programming continues to propel the network forward as we reflect the breadth and depth of true Black life. We are excited to herald the returning popularity of the Black family sitcom as illustrated through The Rickey Smiley Show’s success.”
Toni Judkins, TV One EVP Programming and Production remarked, “We are encouraged by the viewer support of The Rickey Smiley Show and consider it a strong endorsement that Black sitcoms are reclaiming their place in the programming spotlight. TV One is pleased to bring quality comedic entertainment to our viewers and is confident the audience will continue to enjoy the growing humor in subsequent episodes.”
The series is produced for TV One by Bobbcat Films. Executive producers are Roger Bobb, Rickey Smiley, Yolanda Starks-White and Ward White. Executive in charge of production for TV One is Tia Smith.
Launched in January 2004, TV One (www.tvone.tv)serves more than 57.3 million households, offering a broad range of real-life and entertainment-focused original programming, classic series, movies, and music designed to entertain, inform and inspire a diverse audience of adult Black viewers. In December 2008, the company launched TV One High Def, which now serves 14 million households. TV One is owned by Radio One [NASDAQ: ROIA and ROIAK; www.radio-one.com], the largest radio company that primarily targets African American and urban listeners; and Comcast Corporation [NASDAQ: CMCSA, CMCSK); www.comcast.com], one of the nation’s leading providers of entertainment, information and communications products and services.
Source: Nielsen Media Research, L+SD, HH and P25-54 Ratings and Delivery, 9/18/12
Take a look at the first episode below…
