HISTORY®'s Original Drama Vikings Returns - Slaying The Competition
#1 Specialty Program of the Season to Date – Conquering Sports1
Vikings Takes Top Spot on History.ca and Digital Extensions
Engage Fans Beyond Broadcast
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TORONTO, March 3, 2016 /CNW/ - The fourth season of HISTORY's critically acclaimed original drama Vikings returned February 18th delivering massive audiences. The premiere episode was the most watched specialty program of the week, beating the NBA All Star Game and NHL hockey2. Based on the season's performance to date, Vikings is currently on track to be the number one specialty entertainment program of the season, maintaining its three-year position in that top spot.3
The season four premiere of Vikings reached 1.6 million viewers (Ind2+), 32% higher than the 1.2 million viewers reached in the premiere of season three.4 Against its target audience of adults 25-54, the new season premiere of Vikings exceeded last season's premiere by 38% (539.4 AMA S4 vs. 391.4 AMA S3)5 and is already tracking 28% ahead of the third season average of 420.1 AMA.6
Vikings continues to see tremendous success across its digital extensions as well. Total video starts across history.ca and the HISTORY Go app are up by 9% over last year's premiere and Vikings is currently the best performing series on both platforms. Since its launch on January 28th, the interactive, behind-the-scenes digital extension Vikings: A World Revealed has garnered more than 370,000 page views. One of its original videos, an interview with Director Ciaran Donnelly, is now one of the top three posts ever on HISTORY's Facebook page with 123,965 views.
In tonight's must-see third episode of Vikings airing at 10pm ET/PT on HISTORY, fans will see scenes shot on location in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, as Bjorn fights a fierce opponent in the wilderness. Floki faces the wrath of Ragnar, intrigue prevails in the French Court as Rollo finds an unlikely ally, and Kalf and Erlendur plot their ascent. Watch a sneak peek of the episode here: http://hstry.ca/tb2CJ4.
Fans can catch up on the exciting first three seasons of Vikings on shomi and iTunes, and the third season is available on HISTORY on Demand, history.ca, and the HISTORY Go app. The first two episodes of season four are available on history.ca and the HISTORY Go app, where new episodes will be available the day after broadcast.
Vikings is an international Irish/Canadian co-production being co-produced by World 2000 and Take 5 Productions. HISTORY broadcasts both domestically in Canada and in the U.S. MGM Television is the worldwide distributor outside of Ireland and Canada. Vikings is produced in association with Shaw Media and this year earned six Canadian Screen Awards nominations including Best International Drama.
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
Website: history.ca/vikings/
Twitter: @HistoryTVCanada | #Vikings
Facebook: facebook.com/HistoryCanada
HISTORY is a Shaw Media Network.
About Shaw Communications
Shaw is a leading pure-play connectivity provider focused on delivering superior consumer and business broadband communications over its wireline, WiFi and wireless infrastructure. Shaw serves consumers with broadband Internet, WiFi, video and digital phone. Shaw Business Network Services provides business customers with Internet, data, WiFi, telephony, video and fleet tracking services. WIND provides wireless services in Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta. Shaw Business Infrastructure Services provides enterprises colocation, cloud and managed services through ViaWest. Shaw Media provides Canadians with engaging programming content through one of Canada's largest conventional television networks and 19 specialty networks. Shaw is traded on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges and is included in the S&P/TSX 60 Index (Symbol: TSX - SJR.B, NYSE - SJR). For more information, please visit www.shaw.ca.
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1 Source: Numeris PPM Data. 2+ airings. 1 wk unconfirmed w/ +4 days playback on 2nd Vikings episode. (1/4/16-2/28/16).Total Canada. *Ind2+, A18-49, F18-49, M18-49, A25-54, F25-54, M25-54 (including sports).
2 Source: Numeris PPM Data. +1 airing. (1/4/16-2/21/16).Total Canada. *Ind2+, A18-49, F18-49, A25-54, F25-54, M25-54
3 Source: Numeris PPM Data. 2+ airings. 1 wk unconfirmed w/ +4 days playback on 2nd Vikings episode. (1/4/16-2/28/16).Total Canada. *Ind2+, A18-49, F18-49, M18-49, A25-54, F25-54, M25-54 (including sports).
4 Source: Numeris PPM Data. (2/18/16 vs. 2/19/15). Thurs 10p-11p. CumeRch (000). Total Canada.
5 Source: Numeris PPM Data. (2/18/16 vs. 2/19/15). Total Canada
6 Source: Numeris PPM Data. (2/18/16 vs. 2/19/15-4/23/15). Thurs 10p-11p. Total Canada
SOURCE HISTORY
For media inquiries, please contact: Cathy Kurzbock, Shaw Media, 416-966-7507, [email protected]; Greg Fast, Shaw Media, 416-966-7747, [email protected]
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