THE SOUL MAN Marks Ratings Milestone for TV Land

Marking another milestone in TV Land's history, the network's newest original sitcom, THE SOUL MAN was the channel's second highest rated series premiere among its target audience of Adults 25-54 and Women 25-54, second only to the series launch of "Hot in Cleveland" in June 2010. "The Soul Man" premiered last night at 10 p.m. and stars Cedric "The Entertainer" and Niecy Nash.

The premiere telecast of "The Soul Man" (June 20, 2012 at 10 p.m. ET/PT) posted a 1.0 rating and one million viewers among Adults 25-54, and averaged over 1.9 million total viewers. The season two premiere of "The Exes" (June 20, 2012 at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT) scored a .70/707,000 among A25-54, a +25% increase in rating and delivery over the first season premiere. The second season premiere averaged over 1.2 million total viewers. Among Women 25-54, "The Soul Man" earned a 1.29 rating and "The Exes" posted a .92 rating.

Additionally, TV Land aired two encores of "The Soul Man" (11 p.m. and 1 a.m.) and "The Exes" (11:30 p.m. and 1:30 a.m.), which, combined with the premiere telecast, attracted over 3.5 million total viewers for "The Soul Man" and 2.6 million total viewers for "The Exes." (Source: Nielsen, 6/20/12).

"The Soul Man" and "The Exes" scored in social media as well. "The Soul Man" was the #2 trending topic on Twitter in the US during the premiere telecast. Fans were ignited as the casts of both shows, including Cedric "The Entertainer," Niecy Nash, Donald Faison and Kristen Johnston tweeted throughout the day and night. Plus, upcoming guest stars such as Sherri Shepherd, Yvette Nicole Brown and Trina and Tamar Braxton, as well as celebrity supporters like Jessica Simpson tweeted about the shows. Facebook "likes" increased +32% for "The Soul Man" between yesterday morning and today.

New episodes of "The Soul Man" and "The Exes" premiere every Wednesday at 10 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., respectively.

About "The Soul Man"

"The Soul Man" is the newest series being added to TV Land's line-up of stellar sitcoms. The show revolves around former R&B star-turned-minister, Reverend Boyce "The Voice" (Cedric), as he moves back home to St. Louis with his family, including wife Lolli (Nash), to preach in his father's church. Now, his family must adjust to their new humble life from their former superstar lifestyle. John Beasley ("Everwood"), Wesley Jonathan ("What I Like About You") and Jazz Raycole ("My Wife and Kids") also star.

Cedric "The Entertainer" and SuzAnne Martin ("Hot in Cleveland") serve as executive producers for "The Soul Man," along with Eric Rhone. Emmy(R) Award-winner Sean Hayes and Todd Milliner of Hazy Mills Productions are also executive producers for "The Soul Man." Lynda Obst also serves as executive producer, and Keith Cox and Larry W. Jones are executive producers for TV Land. Phoef Sutton ("Cheers") is the showrunner and Stan Lathan ("The StEve Harvey Show") serves as the director. The series is filmed in front of a live studio audience.

About "The Exes"

In season one of "The Exes," Phil (Donald Faison) and Haskell (Wayne Knight) were shocked to learn that their landlord and divorce attorney, Holly (Kristen Johnston), was forcing a new roommate on them - the clingy and recently-divorced Stuart (David Alan Basche). In season two, they're still attempting to adjust to one another's quirks and annoying habits, but Holly is there to help avert any disasters - or in some cases, cause them. Meanwhile, Holly's assistant, Eden (Kelly Stables), doesn't exactly let professionalism get in the way of prying into her boss's dating life - or lack thereof.

"The Exes" is created and executive produced by Mark Reisman ("Frasier"), and Michael Hanel and Mindy Schultheis ("Reba," "Titus") serve as executive producers. Franco Bario is co-executive producer, and Larry W. Jones and Keith Cox are executive producers for TV Land.

TV Land and all related logos and titles are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.

About TV Land

TV Land is the programming destination featuring the best in entertainment on all platforms for consumers in their 40s and 50s. Consisting of original programming, classic and contemporary television series acquisitions, hit movies and a full-service Web site, TV Land is now seen in over 98 million U.S. homes.

About Viacom

Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB) is home to the world's premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms in more than 160 countries and territories. With approximately 170 media networks reaching more than 600 million global subscribers, Viacom's leading brands include MTV, VH1, CMT, Logo, BET, CENTRIC, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., TeenNick, Nicktoons, Nick at Nite, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV Land, Spike TV and Tr3s. Paramount Pictures, America's oldest film studio and creator of many of the most beloved motion pictures, continues today as a major global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment. Viacom operates a large portfolio of branded digital media experiences, including many of the world's most popular properties for entertainment, community and casual online gaming.

To post a comment, you must register and login.