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SECOND YEAR IN A ROW, BETA RESEARCH STUDY RANKS PBS KIDS SPROUT℠ #1 IN SATISFACTION AMONG ALL DIGITAL CABLE NETWORKS EVALUATED

Sprout also receives highest satisfaction scores among female viewers aged 18-34

Philadelphia, PA - October 9, 2007 - PBS KIDS Sprout, the first and only 24-hour preschool destination available on TV, on demand and online for kids ages 2-5 and their parents and caregivers, has received highest honors for the second year in a row in the latest Beta Research satisfaction study released today. 

Among all viewers, Sprout had the highest mean score in satisfaction among the 44 networks evaluated (3.6 out of 4, tied with Discovery Times, History International, Music Choice, National Geographic and Science Channel).  Fifty-seven percent of respondents who indicated they are PBS KIDS Sprout viewers were "very satisfied" with the network, ranking Sprout higher in satisfaction than any other kids network evaluated.  In this same category, Sprout was also #1 among female viewers aged 18-34.   

Among all viewers, 78% (up from 69% last year) said that Sprout was important to their enjoyment of cable, more than any other kids evaluated; and among viewers with children under 12 years old in the household, 87% (up from 83% last year) said Sprout was important to their enjoyment of cable, more than any other network evaluated. 

The study, which was designed to measure awareness, viewer satisfaction and perceived viewing and importance of digital networks, was conducted during July 2007 among a national sample of digital cable subscribers.  A total of 1,966 online questionnaires were completed.  The study included digital basic networks carried by most of the cable systems surveyed.

Beta Research Corporation, founded in 1970, has emerged as one of the premier market research companies in the United States, offering custom and syndicated research services to a wide range of business sectors.   

About Sprout
PBS KIDS SproutSM, the first and only 24-hour preschool destination available on TV, on demand and online for kids ages 2-5 and their parents and caregivers, was created as a partnership among Comcast Corporation, HIT Entertainment, PBS and Sesame Workshop.  Since debuting its video on demand (VOD) service in April 2005, PBS KIDS Sprout has become the #1 On Demand service for younger children, generating over 280 million orders.  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 child from breakfast to bedtime with its distinctive programming.  Currently, Sprout is available in 34 million unique households.

The network's program lineup of gold-standard, curriculum-based children's shows includes:  Sesame Street®, Bob the Builder™, Barney & Friends™, Thomas & Friends™, Angelina Ballerina™, Sagwa: The Chinese Siamese Cat™,  Caillou®, The Berenstain Bears™, Jay Jay the Jet Plane®, Teletubbies™, Dragon Tales™, Pingu™, Make Way For Noddy™, Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks™ and more.


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CONTACT:
Jenni Glenn
PBS KIDS Sprout
215-667-2703
jenni_glenn@sproutonline.com