Nickelodeon Secures Number One Position as Top Cable Network for Eleventh Consecutive Year and Continues to Build Leadership Position on Digital Platforms

Nickelodeon Secures Number One Position as Top Cable Network for Eleventh Consecutive Year and Continues to Build Leadership Position on Digital Platforms

Posts Highest Quarterly Linear TV Growth in Two Years and Only Net to Post Gains Among Preschoolers

Nick Finishes Second Quarter First in Total Programming Day, Up +3% with Kids 2-11; Nick.com and Nickjr.com Both Increase Traffic by More Than 60% versus Second Quarter '05; TurboNick Hits 160 Million Streams and Has Best Month Ever in June

NEW YORK, June 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Emerging as the leader in the number-one top spot in its eleventh consecutive year, Nickelodeon led basic cable as the top-rated network within the total programming day for the just-completed second quarter of 2006 (3/27/06-6/25/06) among total viewers and across all kids' demos, according to Nielsen Media Research. In addition, the network grew double digits in its multiple media offerings -- including Nick.com and Nickjr.com from year-to-year, and video-on-demand -- and excelled on its broadband, online gaming platforms.

Among the network's primary demo of kids 2-11, the network posted a 3.8/1.3 million K2-11, up +3% over second quarter 2005, and +81% ahead of Cartoon Network (2.1/675,000 K2-11) and +52% ahead of Disney Channel (2.5/801,000 K2-11). With preschoolers, the network also ranked first, averaging a 4.5/560,000 K2-5, up +10% over last year's like time period, ahead of Cartoon Network by +137% (1.9/237,000 K2-5) and +73% versus Disney Channel (2.6/326,000 K2-5). And with tweens 9-14, Nickelodeon remained flat for the quarter, earning a 2.5/526,000 T9-14, but beating its competition by double digits. Among kids 6-11, Nick is up more than one rating point above its closest competitor (Nick earned a 3.5 rating while The Disney Channel averaged a 2.4 rating), equating to a 46% lead.*

Nickelodeon was the only major kid network that posted year to year gains among the preschool (kids 2-5) audience. During its Nick Jr. block (M-F 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.), then net beat kid competitors Disney Channel and Cartoon Network by 187% and 196%, respectively. Nick Jr. maintains the top seven out of 10 preschool programs on commercial TV including Go, Diego, Go! (#1), Dora the Explorer (#2), The Wonder Pets (#3), Blue's Clues (#4), The Backyardigans (#5), LazyTown (#6) and Miss Spider (#7).

Contributing to the Nickelodeon's quarter-to-quarter growth, were several large events including Nickelodeon's 19th Annual Kids' Choice Awards (KCAs). This year's KCAs garnered an average of 3.2 million kids. In its first ever simulcast on TurboNick - a first in awards show history -- the KCAs drove Nick.com to a high traffic day of more than 1.2 million unique visitors. Fairy Idol, a one-hour special based on Nick's The Fairly OddParents, also hit high numbers drawing more than 5 million total viewers and more than 3 million kids.

As Nickelodeon continues to build its leadership in new and emerging media platforms, it has increased usership on multiple media platforms in the kids' space, particularly with its broadband platforms, TurboNick and Nick Jr. Video, and its online sites, Nick.com and Nickjr.com**.

-- TurboNick, Nickelodeon's broadband video service on Nick.com, generated
63.2 million streams in second quarter 2006, up +46% over first quarter
2006. It broke its record for the highest monthly streams with more
than 28 million streams in June 2006, a 33% increase from May 2006.

-- Nick Jr. Video, Nick Jr.'s broadband video service on Nickjr.com,
garnered more than 27 million content streams in second quarter 2006.
Nick Jr. Video is rapidly approaching its 100th million stream since
its launch in August 2005.

-- Nick Jr. Parents TV, the networks broadband service geared towards
parents, generated almost 14.5 million streams for second quarter 2006,
up +14% versus first quarter 2006.

-- For the quarter, Nick.com averaged almost 14 million unique monthly
visitors, which is a +67% increase versus first quarter 2006. In May,
Nick.com attracted more than 14.5 million unique marking the site's
best month ever.

-- Nick.com has also had more than 231 million game plays on the site this
quarter, and Nickjr.com racked in 183 million game plays, up +69% and
+88% respectively over second quarter 2005. "Danny Phantom: Freak For
All" was the number-one game for the quarter recording 7.6 million game
plays on Nick.com, while "Dora's Puppy Adventure" was number-one on
Nickjr.com recording 11.4 million game plays in second quarter.

-- Nickjr.com has had on average approximately 6.2 million monthly unique
visitors this quarter, a +66% increase from second quarter 2005.
During the week of June 19, Nickjr.com accomplished its Best Week Ever,
garnering 2.1 million unique visitors for the week, a +99% increase
over year ago levels.

**Source: Omniture SiteCatalyst 4/1/2006-6/26/2006

-- The network also continues to maintain its leadership position in
Video-on-Demand (VOD). Nick VOD programming (through June 25, 2006) had
19.8 million views, a 74% lift over second quarter 2005 (11.4 million).
The top titles for second quarter included Dora the Explorer, SpongeBob
SquarePants, Go, Diego, Go! and The WonderPets!***

***Source: Rentrak

Nickelodeon, now in its 27th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, magazines and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in more than 90 million households and has been the number- one-rated basic cable network for eleven consecutive years. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.

*Numbers based on Nickelodeon total day.

Nickelodeon Programming Hours: M-Th: 6:00 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fr-Sat: 6:00 a.m.- 10 p.m.; Sun: 6 a.m.-9 p.m. (ET/PT)

Source: Nickelodeon

CONTACT: Joanna Roses, +1-212-846-7326, or Marianne Romano,
+1-310-752-8208, both of Nickelodeon

Web site: http://www.nick.com/
http://www.nickjr.com/

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