Writers' Strike Not Turning Off Americans ... Yet

Writers' Strike Not Turning Off Americans ... Yet

New Research By TNS Finds The Immediate Impact Of The Writers' Strike Seemingly Minimal

NEW YORK, Dec. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- TNS, a world leader in market insight and information, today announced results from a survey of TV viewers gauging their support and reaction to the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike, which has been ongoing since November 5, 2007. As writers continue to march the picket lines, the survey finds that the strike has caused no impact on the viewing habits of 74 percent of Americans. Additional survey findings include:

-- Almost two thirds of Americans do not support either side in the
writers' strike
-- 34 percent do support the writers (West Coast slightly more
supportive at 39 percent)
-- Two percent support the television producers
-- At 38 percent, men are slightly more supportive of the strike than
women
-- Almost 20 percent of respondents do not support the strike because they
do not know why writers are striking

The research also reveals that only 22 percent of Americans are watching significantly less TV than they were before -- making the immediate impact of the strike manageable for both broadcasters and advertisers.

"While the effect of the strike has not affected mainstream viewing habits, the decline is quickly approaching," said Don Ryan, Vice President of TNS Technology and Media, TNS North America. "We will begin to see an overall cut in TV viewing by 10 to 20 percent in the next few weeks, once many shows begin airing reruns of recent episodes."

As the strike continues, advertisers and networks are already taking note of this potential drop off, adjusting forecasts accordingly. As viewers start to see a greater impact on the quality of aired programs, consumer sentiment may begin to run more strongly against the producers.

About the Research

The study is based on a representative national sample of 2,500 people aged 18+ using the TNS 6th Dimension Access Panel. The internet based survey was completed the week of December 3rd.

About TNS
TNS is a global market insight and information group.

Our strategic goal is to be recognized as the global leader in delivering value-added information and insights that help our clients to make more effective decisions.

As industry thought leaders, our people deliver innovative thinking and excellent service to global organizations and local clients worldwide. We work in partnership with our clients, meeting their needs for high-quality information, analysis and foresight across our network of over 70 countries.

We are the world's foremost provider of custom research and analysis, combining in-depth industry sector understanding with world-class expertise in the areas of Retail and Shopper Insights, Stakeholder Management, New Product Development, and Brand and Communications. We are a major supplier of consumer panel, media intelligence and internet, TV and radio audience measurement services.

TNS is the sixth sense of business.

http://www.tns-global.com/

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Source: TNS

CONTACT: Jennifer Curran of TNS, +1-212-991-6092,
Jennifer.curran@tns-global.com; or Adrienne McGarr of Ruder Finn,
+1-312-329-3907, tns@ruderfinn.com, for TNS

Web site:

http://www.tns-global.com/

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