Press Releases & News Briefs

SPROUT® SHOWS OVER 50% YEAR-OVER-YEAR AUDIENCE GROWTH IN JANUARY 2012, MAKING IT THE NETWORK’S BEST MONTH EVER

Sprout garners largest percentage audience gains among all kids networks measured

Philadelphia, PA - February 6, 2012 - 24-hour preschool television channel Sprout marked an impressive 52% increase in total HH ratings; a 68% jump among Kids 2-5; a 65% increase among Kids 2-11; and a 27% increase among Women 18-49 (Jan '12 vs. Jan '11), making it the network's best month ever, according to Nielsen (since Nov 2010 when it began reporting the network's ratings).  Additionally, Sprout's audience gains vs. a year ago were higher than any other kids' networks, including Nickelodeon, Disney, Cartoon Network, Nick Jr., Disney XD, Nicktoons and The Hub.


For the month of January 2012, Sprout averaged its highest total day (M-Su 6a-6a) household audience since launch and matched its largest total day audience levels for kids 2-5 and women 18-49.  Recently launched, exclusive series such as Pajanimals, LazyTown and Poppy Cat, were among the top-rated series for the month.


"This impressive audience growth is a testament to our unique programming strategy and highly engaged viewers," said Sandy Wax, president of Sprout.  "Sprout is the only 24-hour preschool television channel that promotes active viewing by combining quality, educational series with original hosted blocks, including the only live daily show for preschoolers, The Sunny Side Up Show." 

About Sprout®
Available in over 50 million homes, Sprout is the first 24-hour preschool destination available on TV, on demand and online for children ages 2-5 and their parents and caregivers.  The 24-hour digital channel, which launched in September 2005 along with the website (SproutOnline.com), is the only channel that follows the day of a preschooler from breakfast to bedtime with its distinctive, interactive programming and original hosted blocks.  Sprout's VOD offering is the #1 on demand service for younger children with over one billion views. 

Sprout is a partnership among NBCUniversal, PBS, Sesame Workshop and Apax Funds.  Its program lineup of gold-standard, curriculum-based preschool shows includes:  Sesame Street®, Bob the Builder™, Barney & Friends™, The Wiggles®, Caillou®, Pajanimals™, Thomas & Friends™,  LazyTown™, and more.

www.SproutOnline.com
www.facebook.com/Sprout
www.twitter.com/SproutTV
 
Source: Nielsen Media Research, National MIT; Live+Same Day playback (12/26/11-01/29/12). M-Su 6a-6a total day average audience (NICK total day is M-Th 7a-8p, F 7a-9p, Sa 6a-10p & Su 6a-8p; TOON total day is M-Su 6a-9p)


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CONTACT
Jenni Glenn
Sprout
215-286-2703
jenni_glenn@sproutonline.com