SERIES PREMIERE OF NBC'S 'RACE TO THE ALTAR' RINGS IN WIN AMONG ADULTS 18-49 AND IMPROVES SUMMER TIME PERIOD
BURBANK, Calif. -- July 31, 2003 -- NBC unveiled its new marriage-oriented reality series “Race to the Altar” (8-9 p.m. ET) last night winning among adults 18-49 (tied with ABC’s comedies in the hour), building from its first half-hour to its second -- and improving the adult 18-49 ratings from the typical July performance of the talent competition series “Fame” (8-9 p.m. ET).
“Race to the Altar” -- which features eight engaged couples that compete through elaborate competitions that force them to work together as a team - achieved a 2.7 rating and 9 share among adults 18-49, an increase of 0.5 of a ratings point from “Fame” average audience delivery during the month. This enabled the series to tie with ABC’s 8-9 p.m. (ET) comedies.
Likewise, the debut earned a 3.4 rating and 11 share among women 18-49, leading all network competition. The new series also attracted 5.7 million total viewers.
Equally encouraging, the series premiere revealed a healthy indicator with its higher numbers in the 8:30-9 p.m. half hour with a 3.0 rating (as opposed to a 2.3. for the first half hour) - a whopping increase of 33 percent that enabled it to win adults 18-49 in that half hour.