Rose Bowl Game(R) National Championship Scores Championship Rating of 21.7

Rose Bowl Game(R) National Championship Scores Championship Rating of 21.7

The 2006 Rose Bowl Game National Championship, presented by Citi was broadcasted by ABC Sports and earned the highest-rated Rose Bowl Game ratings in 20 years

PASADENA, Calif., Jan. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- The highly anticipated Rose Bowl Game National Championship presented by Citi -- which featured an exciting, down to the wire finish with Texas defeating USC 41-39 to earn the national title -- earned an outstanding national rating of 21.7.

"We could not ask for a more exciting Rose Bowl Game National Championship than the one we had," said 2006 Tournament of Roses President Libby Evans Wright. "We are delighted that more than 35 million football fans tuned in to ABC to catch the thrilling action and witness the crowning of college football's new national champion."

The Rose Bowl Game television average audience of 35.63 million viewers, age 2+, was more than 15% larger than the most-watched episode of the no. 1 entertainment program to date in 2005-2006 (CSI -- December 8 episode, average audience of 30.95 million viewers, 2+) and more than 35% larger than the most-watched NFL regular season telecast in Fall 2005 (Thanksgiving Day, CBS, Denver at Dallas, average audience of 26.38 million viewers).

The final national household (HH) rating of 21.7 for Wednesday night's Rose Bowl Game is the first television program of any type, entertainment or sports, to report a HH rating of 20.0 or greater for the current television season of 2005-2006.

The final national HH rating of 21.7 for Wednesday night's game makes it the highest-rated Rose Bowl Game in 20 years -- since the 1986 Rose Bowl (UCLA-Iowa) which reported a HH rating of 22.7.

The 117th Rose Parade themed It's Magical took place Monday, Jan. 2, 2006 at 8 a.m. (PST) featuring majestic floral floats, high-stepping equestrian units and spirited marching bands from throughout the nation. On Wednesday, Jan. 4, at 5 p.m. (PST), the 92nd Rose Bowl Game hosted the BCS National Championship Game between the two top-ranked teams in the nation, USC and Texas, showcasing the best of collegiate football. For additional information on Tournament of Roses activities please visit the official Tournament of Roses website at www.tournamentofroses.com.

PASADENA TOURNAMENT HILL AND KNOWLTON, INC.
OF ROSES ASSOCIATION Erica Amestoy (949) 223-2300
Caryn Eaves or Adria DeBaca Ilana Shenitzer (310) 633-9443
(626) 449-4100

Source: Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association

CONTACT: Caryn Eaves or Adria DeBaca, both of Pasadena Tournament of
Roses Association, +1-626-449-4100; or Erica Amestoy, +1-949-223-2300, or
Ilana Shenitzer, +1-310-633-9433, both of Hill and Knowlton, Inc., for
Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association

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

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