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Source:
Paxson Communications Corporation
`The
Ponderosa' Rides High On PAX TV Scoring 2.8 HH Rating for Network's
New Season Launch
WEST PALM BEACH,
Fla.--September 10th, 2001--Paxson Communications Corp. announced
today that PAX TV launched the premiere of its new Fall Season on
Sunday, September 9 with a 2.2 HH primetime metered market average.
This marks the best Sunday night performance ever and a 57% ratings
increase over last year. Rating gains were fueled by the world premiere
of "The Ponderosa'' (9-11 p.m. ET/PT) and the second season premiere
of "Doc'' (8-9 p.m. ET/PT). "The Ponderosa,'' PAX TV's new original
series and the "prequel'' to television's classic western series
"Bonanza,'' averaged a 2.8 HH Rating/4 Share in the 40 PAX metered
markets. Significantly, PAX TV's "The Ponderosa'' delivered the
highest Sunday movie ratings for the network to date.
In 27 of the
40 PAX metered markets, PAX primetime ratings outperformed UPN stations
(7-10 p.m. ET/PT). Additionally, PAX beat out the WB network in
19 of the 40 metered markets.
PAX TV's "The
Ponderosa'' delivered stand-out performances among the 40 PAX metered
markets including: New York (2.0), Chicago (3.4), Philadelphia (2.0),
Boston (2.6), Dallas (3.1), Washington, D.C. (2.8), Atlanta (3.3),
Houston (2.2), Seattle (2.4), Minneapolis (2.8), Tampa (3.3), Miami
(2.0), Phoenix (4.3), Cleveland (3.3), Denver (3.2), Sacramento
(4.2), Orlando (2.6), Portland (3.8), Hartford/New Haven (2.3),
Raleigh/Durham (3.0), Kansas City (4.7), Milwaukee (4.4), Salt Lake
City (3.9), San Antonio (5.6), Birmingham (3.6), West Palm Beach
(2.8), Memphis (5.1), Norfolk (2.4), New Orleans (5.8), Greensboro
(5.0), Oklahoma City (4.5), Buffalo (3.9) and Albuquerque (2.7).
This season's
"Doc'' premiere (8-9 p.m. ET/PT) posted a 1.9 HH Rating/3 Share,
scoring the 2nd highest rating for the series since its 2-hour world
premiere (2.5). The 1.9 also represents a 46% increase over the
time period delivery for last season's debut (1.3), and is 90% higher
than the show's 3rd Quarter average thus far (1.0). Additionally,
in the following top markets, "Doc's'' second season premiere delivered
its best-ever ratings: Boston (2.3), Atlanta (2.7) and Seattle (2.3).
About Paxson
Communications Corporation
Paxson Communications
Corporation owns and operates the nation's largest broadcast television
station group and PAX TV, the newest broadcast television network
that launched in August of 1998. PAX TV reaches 84% of U.S. television
households via nationwide broadcast television, cable and satellite
distribution systems. Paxson owns and operates 65 stations (including
three stations operated under time brokerage agreements). In September
of 1999, Paxson entered into a strategic alliance with NBC and through
this relationship, PAX and NBC have shared special runs of original
drama series, NBC movies and sports programs and the hit primetime
quiz show, "Weakest Link.'' In addition, PAX airs its own original
programming including "It's A Miracle,'' "Mysterious Ways,'' "Encounters
with the Unexplained,'' "Candid Camera'' and "Doc,'' starring
recording artist Billy Ray Cyrus. New fall primetime series set
to begin airing in September include "The Ponderosa,'' a prequel
to the classic television show, "Bonanza,'' "Forbidden Secrets''
hosted by Lee Majors and a new edition of "Candid Camera,'' hosted
by Peter Funt and Dina Eastwood. Additional Paxson properties include
the PAX Family Club, a branded affinity club that provides travel
and product discounts for families, parenting advice and valuable
online information. For more information, visit PAX TV's website
at http://www.pax.tv.
This press release
contains "forward-looking statements,'' within the meaning of federal
securities laws, that involve risks and uncertainties. All statements
herein, other than those consisting solely of historical facts,
that address activities, events or developments that the Company
expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future including
such things as business strategy, measures to implement strategy,
competitive strengths, goals, success and other events may be on
forward-looking statements. Statements herein are based on certain
assumptions and analysis made by the Company in light of its experience
and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and
potential future developments, as well as other factors it believes
are appropriate in the circumstances. However, whether actual results,
events and developments will conform with the Company's expectations
is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties and important
factors that could cause actual results, events and developments
to differ materially from those referenced in, contemplated by or
underlying any forward-looking statements herein, including, among
others, the continued development and viability of the Company's
television operations, the Company's ability to manage its growth,
the Company's high level of indebtedness, restrictions imposed on
the Company by the terms of its indebtedness and preferred stock,
the impact of government regulations, industry and economic conditions,
competition, changes in operating expenses, industry and economic
conditions and other factors, many of which are beyond the control
of the Company. Consequently, all forward-looking statements made
herein are qualified by these cautionary statements and there can
be no assurance that the actual results, events or developments
referenced herein will occur or be realized.
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