The 2006 Miss America Pageant Debuts As CMT's Most Watched Telecast Ever*

The 2006 Miss America Pageant Debuts As CMT's Most Watched Telecast Ever*

CMT Ranks First Among All Basic Cable In Total Viewers During Pageant Time Period

Over Twelve Million Viewers Cumulative Watched Weekend Airings of Pageant

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Jan. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Here they are ... Miss America ratings! The 2006 MISS AMERICA PAGEANT, which premiered live on CMT on Saturday, January 21 from 8 - 10 p.m. ET/PT**, scored a record 3.1 million total viewers. The Miss America Pageant ranks as the most watched telecast ever in CMT's history with total viewers, besting the 2005 CMT MUSIC AWARDS which had garnered 2.9 million viewers.

In addition, CMT beat all other ad-supported cable networks in total viewers for the first time in its history during the 8 - 10 p.m. time period. Saturday, January 21, also marked CMT's highest rated day since the 2005 CMT MUSIC AWARDS in April.

A phenomenal 12.5 million different viewers (cumulative) tuned in during the three weekend telecasts of the 2006 MISS AMERICA PAGEANT on CMT (1/21 at 8 p.m.; 1/21 at 11 p.m.; and 1/22 at 5 p.m.).

"These stand out ratings for CMT and the Miss America Pageant are just the beginning of a long and successful relationship," said Paul Villadolid, vice president original programming and development, CMT. "The buzz and promotion surrounding the Pageant were like no other in our history and the ratings were a resounding victory for the network. The Miss America Pageant surpassed our previous benchmark for success and ranks as CMT's most watched program ever."

"The Miss America Organization is thrilled with the strong numbers for our first year with CMT," said Art McMaster, president/CEO, Miss America Organization. "CMT has proven to be a wonderful partner for us and preparations for next year are already underway as we look to build on this year's success."

Other premieres on Saturday included the series THREE WISHES starring Amy Grant, which brought in an audience of 1.3 million total viewers. CMT's success extended online as CMT.com experienced an 83 percent increase in traffic on Saturday over the previous week.

2005 marked CMT's most watched year ever and the channel's third consecutive record-breaking year. CMT is now available in nearly 79 million American homes and should cross the 80 million mark in early 2006.

Hosted by James Denton, the 2006 MISS AMERICA PAGEANT will re-air tonight at 9 p.m. and Wednesday, January 25 at 8 p.m. CMT sister station VH1 will re- air the Pageant on Friday, January 27 at 4 p.m. CMT secured the rights to the MISS AMERICA PAGEANT through 2007, with options to renew through 2011.

For the first time in its 85 year history, THE MISS AMERICA PAGEANT took place outside of Atlantic City and debuted in Las Vegas at the Aladdin Resort & Casino. 2006 also marks the first time the Pageant has aired on cable television. Jennifer Berry, Miss Oklahoma, was crowned Miss America 2006.

CMT, America's No. 1 country music network, carries original programming, specials, and live concerts and events, as well as a mix of videos by established country music artists and new cutting-edge acts, including world premiere exclusive videos. Founded March 6, 1983, CMT, owned and operated by MTV Networks, reaches more than 78.7 million households in the United States. Go to country music's biggest web site at www.CMT.com.

*Nielsen Media Research

**All Times Listed Are ET/PT

Source: CMT

CONTACT: Lisa Chader of CMT, +1-615-335-8405, or lisa.chader@cmt.com; or
Helene Jaysen of Bragman Nyman Cafarelli, +1-310-854-4893, or
hjaysen@bncpr.com, for Miss America Organization

Web site: http://www.cmt.com/

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