Inaugural Cartoon Network HALL OF GAME Awards Delivers Winning Performance Among Targeted Kids and Boys

Cartoon Network announced today its first–ever Cartoon Network HALL OF GAME Awards presentation (Friday, Feb. 25, 7–8:30 p.m.) earned significant double–digit ratings and delivery gains among targeted kids and boys audiences compared to the same time period last year. According to Nielsen Media Research, kids and boys ages 6–11, 9–14 and 12–17 all charted dramatic year–to–year improvements, ranging between 29% and 76%. The inaugural, celebrity–studded sports award and entertainment event, taped in Los Angeles, also charted solid ratings and delivery increases among boys 2–11 and attracted an average 1,487,000 total viewers.

“This was a great first–time showing for us,” said Stuart Snyder, president and COO for Cartoon Network. “We’re grateful that audience response proved our instincts correct—that kids and boys would want to tune in—and to all the participants who helped us kick off a brand new, fun and exciting franchise.”

Created and produced in association with IMG Media, the Cartoon Network HALL OF GAME Awards performance highlights, compared to the same 2010 time period, include the following:

* Kids 6–11 delivery (609,000) increased by 31%, and ratings (2.5) by 32%
* Kids 9–14 delivery (578,000) increased by 76%, and ratings (2.4) by 71%
* Kids 12–17 delivery (272,000) increased by 46%, and ratings (1.1) by 38%
* Boys 6–11 delivery (475,000) increased by 29%, and ratings (3.8) by 31%
* Boys 9–14 delivery (445,000) increased by 57%, and ratings (3.6) by 57%
* Boy 12–17 delivery (188,000) increased by 29%, and ratings (1.5) by 25%
* Boys 2–11 delivery (602,000) increased by 6%, and ratings (2.8) by 4%
* Total Viewers 2+ delivery (1,487,000) increased by 9%

Cartoon Network HALL OF GAME Awards featured an all–star line–up of icons from the worlds of sports, television and music in an evening of humor, fun and never–before–seen stunts and surprises on stage to honor the sports stars and moments of the past year. Hosted by skateboarding legend, Tony Hawk, the Cartoon Network HALL OF GAME Awards broadcast featured appearances by First Lady Michelle Obama, Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers), Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints), Terrell Owens (Cincinnati Bengals), Venus Williams (WTA) and many more. Voting was available in seven award categories on HallofGame.com including, “Most Awesome Mascot,” sponsored by Pepperidge Farm� Flavor Blasted� Goldfish� crackers; “He’s Got Game;” “She Got Game;” and “That’s How I Roll,” sponsored by Kids Foot Locker. At the time of broadcast, the site had received over 37 million votes.

The Cartoon Network HALL OF GAME Awards, a first–of–its–kind sports award and entertainment event for kids, was created and produced in association with IMG Media, the production arm of global sports, entertainment and media company, IMG. Veteran, award–winning television and special events producers, Michael Dempsey and Steve Mayer served as executive producers and The Sports Illustrated Group’s SI KIDS franchise was the official media partner.

About Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network (CartoonNetwork.com), currently seen in more than 99 million U.S. homes and 166 countries around the world, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.’s ad–supported cable service now available in HD offering the best in original, acquired and classic animated entertainment for kids and families. Nightly from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. (ET, PT), Cartoon Network shares its channel space with Adult Swim, a late–night destination showcasing original and acquired animation for young adults 18–34. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.

About IMG Media

IMG Media operates from over 30 offices worldwide and distributes content across all forms of media including TV, Audio, Fixed Media, Inflight and Closed Circuit, Broadband and Mobile. IMG Media Production generates 6000 hours of programming, over 200 projects in locations around the world. These include coverage of: New York City Marathon, Masters, PGA Championship, ATP and WTA Tennis, Professional Bull Riding, television and digital production for both Wimbledon and the R and A, Premier League Soccer Productions, Total Rugby for the IRB, Transworld Sport, FIFA Futbol Mondial and FIFA World Cup Preview Series. IMG Media also has produced entertainment specials such as: Super Bowl’s Greatest Commercials, World’s and Year’s Funniest Commercials for TBS, Christmas in Rockefeller Center, and Boston Pops 4th of July Spectacular. IMG Media also maintains the world’s largest sports archive with more than 250,000 hours of footage.

RATING PERIOD: 2/25/10
SOURCE: Nielsen Media Research based on Live+7 blended with Live+ SD datamost current data.
NOTES: All ratings based on Total U.S. Television Universe of 114,500,000 homes.