When forecasters called for a hot summer this year, they had no idea how high the mercury would rise. With a roster of returning favourites and a highly entertaining new addition to its schedule, Global was on fire with this summer’s biggest hits. Growing its audience over 2011, Global had four programs in the Top 10, providing the perfect launching pad for its spectacular fall 2012 season.
“This was such an amazing summer for Global,” said Barbara Williams, Senior Vice President, Content for Shaw Media. “With season three of Rookie Blue, season 14 of Big Brother and the first season of Hotel Hell, TV fans were glued to their TVs – and that certainly won’t change this fall. We’ve got a blockbuster line-up of fan favourites and new shows that will make Global a winner across the country.”
It comes as no surprise that Big Brother was the summer’s #1 program. After 14 incredible seasons, this TV juggernaut hasn’t lost any of its substantial clout. Premiering with 1.9 million (2+ Nat) and 1.1 million (A18-49 Nat), the ever changing alliances and back-door deals helped it dominate Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday nights.*
With three seasons now under its belt, Rookie Blue has clearly established itself as one of Canada’s biggest TV success stories. Reaching a highpoint of 1.7 million viewers and achieving a season average of1.6 million**(2+ Nat), this home-grown original drama completely ruled its timeslot in the 2+ and A18-49 demos, keeping fans hungry for season four, now in production.
As the most watched new program of the summer, Hotel Hell certainly made its presence known. TV fans by the millions checked in every week to marvel at how far Gordon Ramsay would go to rescue a hotel from certain disaster. Hotel Hell achieved a season average of 1.6 million (2+ Nat) and won its timeslot every week.
ET Canada continues to grow in popularity and prove that it’s Canada’s most reliable entertainment news source. As part of Canada’s only entertainment news hour, ET Canada was up 14%, while eTalk was down 7% when compared to summer 2011 (W25-54 Nat). The same story resonates in all four key markets whereET Canada experienced growth as well.
After a memorable summer with so many huge hits, Global is perfectly positioned to carry that positive momentum into its star-laden fall season. Glee, (tonight at 9pm ET/PT), Saturday Night Live (this Saturday, 11:30pm ET/PT), Bones (next Monday, 8pm ET/PT) and Survivor: Philippines (next Wednesday, 8pm ET/PT) are part of the first wave of highly anticipated shows destined to set the standard this fall.
*–excluding Hockey Playoffs & Olympics programming
**–Rookie Blue simulcast original episodes from 5/24/12 to 8/23/12
SOURCE LINE: BBM Canada PPM Data – SM11 & SM12 S-T-D (5/30/11 – 9/11/11 & 5/28/12 – 9/2/12), SM12 confirmed data up to 8/26/12, A18-49 AMA(000) unless otherwise noted
