For the First Time, National Geographic Channel Receives Highest Score for Quality and is Ranked #1 for Trust Among All Cable Networks in New Harris Interactive(R) EquiTrend(R) Study

For the First Time, National Geographic Channel Receives Highest Score for Quality and is Ranked #1 for Trust Among All Cable Networks in New Harris Interactive(R) EquiTrend(R) Study

Results Echo 2009 Beta Brand Equity Study, Which Ranked NGC as #1 for Quality Among All Cable and Broadcast Networks

WASHINGTON, June 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In the Harris Interactive(R) 2009 EquiTrend(R) Brand Tracking Study released today, National Geographic Channel (NGC) received the highest score for quality of any tested cable network for the first time in the young network's eight-year history. The study, which measured consumer perceptions of almost 90 cable networks, also ranked NGC as the #1 most trusted cable network. These results are based on surveys of almost 25,000 consumers and confirm the conclusions of the recently released 2009 Beta Brand Identity Survey, which identified NGC as the #1 network for quality among all cable and broadcast networks, according to consumers.

The industry-leading quality of NGC's programming has also been recognized by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, which gave NGC more Emmy(R) awards and nominations than any other cable network during its most recent competition for news and documentary programming.

These results parallel NGC's continuing ratings momentum, which includes establishing new records earlier this year for the network's highest rated quarter, month and one-hour show (respectively Q1 '09 primetime, January '09 primetime and On Board Air Force One). For the last six straight years, NGC's live primetime ratings have continued to grow -- a fact no other network can claim.

NGC's ratings incorporate audience numbers for its simulcast high-definition service, NGC HD, which launched in January 2006. Of note, the 2009 Beta Brand Identity Survey also ranked NGC as the #1 network consumers want to see in HD for the fifth consecutive year.

"For more than 120 years, the National Geographic brand has been built on an unparalleled commitment to quality, accuracy and authenticity," said Steve Schiffman, NGC general manager and EVP. "The network has diligently dedicated itself to continuing that commitment, and it is exceptionally gratifying to see that acknowledged by consumers, especially at a time when they have more media options available than any time in history."

The EquiTrend(R) Brand Study is an online annual survey conducted by Harris Interactive(R) that this year included a sample of 24,446 consumers ages 15 and older, and rated more than 1,200 diverse consumer brands representing a cross section of industries and products, including 116 media brands, of which 89 were TV networks. This latest survey was conducted within the United States between March 26 and April 13, 2009. Data were weighted to be representative of the entire U.S. population of consumers ages 15 and over on the basis of age by sex, education, race/ethnicity, region and income. NGC received the single highest score for quality among any media brand, but statistically tied for first within the margin of error. Complete details of the survey can be found at www.brandweek.com. For more information on Harris Interactive, please visit www.harrisinteractive.com.

National Geographic Channel

Based at the National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C., the National Geographic Channel (NGC) is a joint venture between National Geographic Ventures (NGV) and Fox Cable Networks (FCN). Since launching in January 2001, NGC initially earned some of the fastest distribution growth in the history of cable and more recently the fastest ratings growth in television. The network celebrated its fifth anniversary January 2006 with the launch of NGC HD which provides the spectacular imagery that National Geographic is known for in stunning high-definition. NGC has carriage with all of the nation's major cable and satellite television providers, making it currently available in nearly 70 million homes. For more information, please visit www.natgeotv.com.

Source: National Geographic Channel

CONTACT: Russell Howard, +1-202-912-6652, RHoward@natgeochannel.com, or
Dara Klatt, +1-202-912-6720, dara.klatt@natgeochannel.com, Photos: Lauren
Jones, +1-202-912-6708, ljones@ngs.org, all of National Geographic Channel

Web Site: http://www.brandweek.com/
http://www.harrisinteractive.com/
http://www.channel.nationalgeographic.com/

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