Rookie Blue's arresting premiere wins the night with 1.8 million viewers

Canadian original drama a hit on both sides of the border

Rookie Blue is the No. 1 new Canadian drama

For artwork, please visit: www.canwesttvmedia.com

TORONTO, June 25 /CNW/ - Last night, Global Television's homegrown drama Rookie Blue was a force to be reckoned with as 1.8 million (2+, national) Canadians tuned into the highly-anticipated series premiere. Airing in simulcast with ABC, the much buzzed-about episode won the night nationally and across all key markets.

"From script to screen, we were behind Rookie Blue and knew it would be a success right out of the gate," Barbara Williams, Executive Vice-President of Content, Canwest Broadcasting. "We are so pleased that viewers have embraced this series and are excited to showcase even more of this hit show in the months ahead."

South of the border, Rookie Blue was also a ratings success as over seven million viewers tuned into the broadcast on ABC. It was the top-rated scripted summer debut in over a year and easily won its 9pm ET/PT timeslot opposite well-established programs including So You Think You Can Dance (FOX) and CSI (CBS).

Not only is the series a hit with viewers, but with critics as well. Early acclaim for Rookie Blue includes: "Summer's must-watch show" (TV Guide Canada); "Arresting entertainment" (The Toronto Star); and "Viewers will keep coming back" (The Globe and Mail).

    
    ROOKIE BLUE DATA HIGHLIGHTS (All data Adults 18-49):
    ----------------------------------------------------
    -   712,000 viewers in key A18-49 demo
    -   Rookie Blue won the night in Toronto with 317,000 viewers
    -   Highest rated premiere for a Canwest-commissioned original drama
        within the last five years
    -   Rookie Blue bested the closest competitor of the night, The
        Mentalist, with 37% more viewers
    -   Outperformed The Bridge (CTV) premiere by double the number of
        viewers and had 165% more viewers than the Republic of Doyle (CBC)
        premiere
    -   Rookie Blue garnered 88% more viewers than the Flashpoint premiere
        (July 11, 2008)

                                                                   ----------
                                                                    AMA(000)
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    June 24 - 9pm ET/PT (A18-49)                    NATIONAL
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Rookie Blue                                        Global        712,000
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    So You Think You Can Dance - Results                 CTV         475,000
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    The Big Picture: Malibu's Most Wanted                /A\          54,000
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    America's Got Talent (8 - 10pm)                    CityTV        269,000
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    

Viewers who missed last night's episode can log onto GlobalTV.com to catch up on the premiere.

The drama continues next week in "Mercury Retrograde" (Thursday, July 1 - 9pm ET/PT), as Detective Sam Swarek (Ben Bass) drags Andy (Missy Peregrym) through his undercover haunts on a mission he won't explain. At first, Andy assumes Swarek is a rogue cop trying to settle scores from his undercover days. Then she realizes two things: he's actually trying to track down a missing informant whose life is in danger now that his cover has been blown; and that there is an undeniable attraction between them.

Source:

Canada: All data, as of August 31st 2009, BBM Canada PPM Overnight Data based on Adults 18-49 unless otherwise indicated. BBM NMR Data is used for dates prior to August 31st, 2009.

U.S.: Nielsen Media Research (Fast Affiliate, Live + Same Day Ratings), 6/24/10.

For further information: Media Contact: Sónia Brum, Global Television, 416-934-7071, [email protected]