Viewers Flock to Nickelodeon’s Most-Watched Series Premiere Ever— The Penguins of Madagascar

Penguins Draws 6.1 Million Total Viewers Sets New Record as Nick’s Most-Watched Animated Series Premiere with Kids 6-11; Scores a New Series Best with Tweens

NEW YORK–March 30, 2009–Nickelodeon’s highly anticipated debut of the CGI-animated series The Penguins of Madagascar (Saturday, March 28, 9:30 p.m. [ET/PT]) ranks as the most-watched series premiere in the network’s history, drawing 6.1 total million viewers (P2+). The half-hour premiere also delivered more kids 6-11 than any other Nick animated series premiere, averaging an 11.0/2.3 million K6-11. Additionally, it was the best new series premiere performance ever with tweens, averaging a 10.8/2.3 million T9-14.

Highlights for The Penguins of Madagascar premiere include:

-The Penguins of Madagascar premiere episode “Launchtime” (Saturday, March 28, 9:30 p.m. [ET/PT]) broke Nickelodeon records as the most-watched series premiere in Nickelodeon’s history (replacing prior record holder All Grown Up in 2003 with 5.2 million total viewers), drawing 6.1 million total viewers (P2+), up +65% in delivery over last year.

-The telecast was Nick’s most-watched and highest-rated animated premiere with kids 6-11, averaging an 11.0/2.3 million with K6-11, up +51% in rating.

-“Launchtime” drew the largest tween audience and rating for a Nickelodeon series premiere, posting a 10.8/2.3 million T9-14, up +54%.

-Penguins averaged an 8.5/3.0 million K2-11, up +53% and the second most-watched premiere in Nick’s history with this demographic.

-The Penguins of Madagascar delivered the highest rating ever for a show that followed the Kids’ Choice Awards, retaining 77% of the KCA audience.

-A Penguins of Madagascar dedicated mini site, which launched on Oct. 30, 2008, drew 2.4 million unique visitors since its debut, and featured a series of four new mini-games, which garnered 1.5 million game plays (3/12/09-3/30/09).

The Penguins of Madagascar premiere followed Nickelodeon’s 2009 Kids’ Choice Awards, which set a new record on Saturday, March 28, (8-9:30 p.m. ET/PT) as the biggest Kids’ Choice Awards to date. The star-studded telecast drew a record 7.7 million total viewers (P2+) and earned its highest ratings ever among kids and tweens.

Nickelodeon will feature two weeks of Penguins primetime premieres weeknights until April 10, at 8:00 – 8:30 PM (ET/PT). The new series, which is co-produced by DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc.—and followed Nickelodeon’s highest-rated and most-watched Kids’ Choice Awards ever—follows the exploits of the beloved penguin brothers from DreamWorks Animation’s hit feature films Madagascar and Madagascar 2: Escape to Africa. Andy Richter (Late Night with Conan O’ Brien) and Tom McGrath (co-created the Penguins characters and directed both Madagascar films) reprise their roles as Mort and Skipper from the feature films, and Nicole Sullivan (MadTV) rounds out the ensemble voice-over cast. The series will move to its regular timeslot on Saturdays at 10:00–10:30 AM (ET/PT) beginning April 18.

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