Sprout Scores Highest-Rated First Quarter in Network's History

24-hour preschool television channel Sprout scored its highest rated first quarter in the history of the network averaging a coverage area 0.24 rating/ 128k homes. The record first quarter also marked the sixth consecutive quarter of year over year double digit household percentage growth.

Sprout continues to be the No. 1 kids network in composition of women 18-49 with more than 23 percent of its audience coming from this demographic, which exceeds Disney Channel, Nick Jr., Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, The Hub, NickToons and Disney XD. The first quarter saw Sprout grow this audience by 36 percent compared to the first quarter from one year ago. This gain catapulted Sprout into the top 10 in total day percentage gain of women 18-49 over all networks, further substantiating Sprout's position as a top viewing source for reaching moms.

"Sprout's ratings show the importance and the impact of co-viewing within the kids television landscape," said Sandy Wax, president of Sprout. "We appreciate being the network moms trust and depend on for children's content, and we continue to see growth through existing programming, new series and our non-linear efforts."

On March, 25, Sprout launched Sid the Science Kid within the new Sprout Tunes line-up. The series posted a 41 percent gain in women 18-49 delivery from the three week prior average in the timeslot. Sprout Tunes airs each day beginning at noon, featuring Sing It Laurie! a new animated musical series by children's recording artist Laurie Berkner.

SproutOnline.com achieved its highest monthly unique traffic (895K unique visitors) since November 2011, up 12% from the 12 month average. The redesigned site and launched in mid-March.

Sprout is the first 24-hour preschool destination available on TV, on demand and online for children ages 2-5 and their parents and caregivers. Available in over 50 million homes, the 24-hour digital channel is the only network that follows the day of a preschooler from breakfast to bedtime with its distinctive, interactive programming and original hosted daypart blocks that parents and kids share together. Viewers are encouraged to submit artwork, birthday wishes, videos and more through SproutOnline.com, which has received over five million viewer interactions to-date. Sprout's VOD offering is the #1 on demand service for younger children with over one billion views. Sprout is a top-rated kids' network with 17 consecutive months of year-over-year percentage household delivery growth.

The network's program lineup of gold-standard, curriculum-based preschool series includes originals like The Chica Show, Noodle and Doodle, and Pajanimals (co-produced with The Jim Henson Company), as well as Sesame Street, Barney & Friends, The Wiggles, Caillou, Thomas & Friends, LazyTown, and more. Sprout is a partnership among NBCUniversal, PBS and Apax Funds.

To post a comment, you must register and login.