Press Releases

TNT's BABYLON 5 Blasts Off With Stellar Ratings 07/01/98

Wednesday January 7, 4:50 pm EST
Company Press Release
TNT's BABYLON 5 Blasts Off With Stellar Ratings
Reaches Nearly 11 Million Viewers on Jan. 4

ATLANTA--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Jan. 7, 1998--The launch of the BABYLON 5 franchise on Turner Network Television (TNT) reached a total 10.7 million unduplicated viewers on Jan. 4, the network announced today.

The world premiere of the TNT Original movie BABYLON 5: IN THE BEGINNING garnered a 4.1 rating/6.0 share, and delivered nearly 3 million households. TNT's re-edited version of the original series pilot, BABYLON 5: THE GATHERING, followed at 10 p.m. (ET), scoring an impressive 3.4/5.9 while delivering nearly 2.5 million HH. The two films were basic cable's top rated movies of the week.

TNT's complete launch night of BABYLON 5 programming consisted of the premiere and one encore of BABYLON 5: IN THE BEGINNING, the TNT premiere of BABYLON 5: THE GATHERING and three airings of the TNT Original special THE GUIDE TO BABYLON 5.

The successful launch reflects TNT's massive commitment to the BABYLON 5 franchise, which also includes a Monday through Friday airing of the series' award winning first four seasons. In addition, TNT will air the eagerly anticipated fifth season of 22 new episodes Wednesdays at 10 p.m. (ET) premiering January 21. A second TNT Original movie, BABYLON 5: THIRDSPACE, is currently in production.

The TNT Original movie BABYLON 5: IN THE BEGINNING, starring Bruce Boxleitner, Mira Furlan and Peter Jurasik, portrayed the Earth/Minbari war that led up to the creation of the Babylon 5 space station. Set in the 23rd century, Babylon 5 is a massive, self-sufficient space station that serves to bring together representatives from various races, both human and alien, to resolve their differences peacefully.

Turner Network Television (TNT), currently seen in more than 72 million homes, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.'s 24-hour, advertiser-supported service offering original motion pictures and miniseries; contemporary films from the world's largest film library, the combined Turner and Warner Bros. film libraries; exciting NBA and NFL sports action; popular television series; and timeless cartoons.

Source: TBS Research from Nielsen Media Research data.
Contact:

Turner Network Television
Nicole Lucas, Atlanta, 404/885-0296
or
Samantha Graham, New York, 212/852-6853
or
Carrie O'Brien, Los Angeles, 310/788-6906

and I will include them on the next update.

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