Hearst Television #1

Jamaya Powell

 

Logo of the Hearst Corporation

Logo of the Hearst Corporation  Source: BounceExchange.com [9]

History

The Hearst Corporation started out as a single newspaper by William Randolf Hearst in 1887.[1]

Founder of the Hearst Corporation, William Randolph Hearst Source: Old-Picture.com

Founder of the Hearst Corporation, William Randolph Hearst
Source: Old-Picture.com [10]

Since then, the Hearst Corporation has grown to become one of the biggest media and information companies in the world. [2] Hearst incorporated broadcasting into its company in 1928, when they purchased WSOE radio in Milwaukee. The station also became the groundwork of WISN-TV. In 1948, after acquiring various stations across markets, Hearst launched WBAL-TV in Baltimore, WLWT-TV in Cincinnati, and WDSU-TV in New Orleans. These were some of the inaugural  television stations in the nation. In 1953, Baltimore’s WBAL-TV was one of the first television stations to transmit in color, as well as launching the famous children’s show “Romper Room,” [3] that ran from the early 1950s to the 1980s.  Throughout the years, Hearst Broadcasting acquired more broadcasting stations across various markets. In 1981, WCVB-TV in Boston was declared “the best television station in America” by the New York Times. Hearst Broadcasting acquired Argyle Television Inc., which owned six stations at the time, for $320 million dollars,[4] forming Hearst-Argyle in 1997.[2]

Here is a clip from the popular children’s TV show, Romper Room, as mentioned above. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xq9-8ZxZ6_Y)

One of the Hearst-Argyle’s stations, WISN-TV in Milwaukee, was the first station within its market to create their very own website, based off its weather segment.The website, which was started in 1997, offers snow closing information, around the clock. In that same year, KITV-TV in Honolulu was the first American digital commercially licensed TV station, which meant that they could provide digital high-definition television or HDTV, for short. Television Broadcast magazine named KITV “Broadcaster of the Year” in 1997. Later in 1999, New England’s WCVB-TV station was the first stations, local and nationwide, to produce an high-definition (HD) TV episode. The TV episode was of its renowned public-affairs program “Chronicle.” [2]

One of the first HD television programs created

One of the first HD television programs created Source: Constant Contact Archive [11]

That same year, the Hearst-Argyle company acquired the Pulitzer Publishing Co, which owned nine TV stations and five radio stations. They also bought the television properties to Kelly Broadcasting Co. out of Sacramento, California. By the end of the year 1999, Hearst-Argyle owned 26 TV stations, which reached about 17.5 percent of U.S. households, and they acquired seven radio stations. [2]

Hearst-Argyle became one of the first major station groups to release a policy about not airing R-rated movies during prime time television, which is also family viewing time. They announced this policy in 2000, which was a very busy year for the company. They also partnered with the Belo Corporation and LIN Television and launched Broadcast Sales Academy, in order to train future sales professionals and they later launched the Producer Academy in 2002, a training program for the companies’ news producers. Hearst-Argyle had a joint venture with Gannett Broadcasting, the NBC station group and NBC Enterprises to develop and carry syndicated programs on their stations, reaching 60% of U.S. households. Hearst-Argyle was also the first large TV station group to commit at least 5 minutes of on-air time every night to focus on election coverage, starting 30 days leading up to the elections. This charge became the foundation of the company’s “Commitment 2000” effort, which worked to provide comprehensive political-news coverage through the election cycles and this effort later earned them a consecutive number of Walter Cronkite Awards, awarded by the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication. In 2004, the former president and CEO, David J. Barrett is named by Broadcasting & Cable magazine as “Broadcaster of the Year.” This year, every single Hearst-Argyle television station completed their transition into digital television broadcasting and some of them were the first to offer video on demand for local programming. [2]

One of Hearst's college partnerships Source: NCAT.edu

One of Hearst’s college partnerships
Source: NCAT.edu [12]

In 2006, Hearst-Argyle partnered with North Carolina A&T University or NCAT for short, to train journalism students and it was one of many internship/ training programs partnerships the company has.[2]

Financials

Hearst Corporation is #33 of Forbes List of America’s Largest Private Companies and the company has produced over $10.3 billion in revenue. [5]

Key Executives

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Jordan Wertlieb President of Hearst Television Source: Hearst.com [13]

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Frank Biancuzzo Senior Vice President of Hearst Television Inc. Source: Hearst.com [14]

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John J. Drain Senior Vice President of Finance at Hearst Television Inc. Source: Hearst.com [15]

 

 

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Micheal J. Hayes Senior Vice President of Hearst Television Inc. Source: Hearst.com [16]

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Rodger Keating Senior Vice President of Hearst Television Inc. Source: Hearst.com [17]

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Neeraj Khemlani Co-President of Hearst Entertainment & Syndication & President of Hearst Digital Studios [18]

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George Kliavkoff Co-President of Hearst Entertainment & Syndication & President of Hearst Ventures [19]

 

 

 

 

 

Entertainment & Syndication

One of Hearst's Entertainment & Syndication brands

One of Hearst’s Entertainment & Syndication brands Source: Facebook [20]

Hearst Entertainment and Syndication is a combination of cable network partnerships, television programming activities, and newspaper syndication as well as merchandise licensing operations. Their brands include A&E Networks, Awesomeness TV, Complex, Cosmopolitan Television, ESPN, Hearst Digital Studios, Hearst Entertainment, King Features, NorthSouth Productions, Reed Brennan, and United Artists Media Group.[6]

 

One of A&E's popular television shows Source: Gstatic.com

One of A&E’s popular television shows
Source: Gstatic.com [21]

One of their television brands, A&E Networks, is an award-winning, global media content company. It consists of three brands: A&E Network, HISTORY, and Lifetime. [6] Some of their most popular shows on A&E Networks are Duck Dynasty, Married At First Sight, Storage Wars, The First 48, and Intervention. [7]

 

 

 

 

United Arts Media Group

The United Arts Media Group creates programming for all media platforms offered by Hearst, including on screen, online and on-the-go. [8]

Current Programming

The Voice Promo Flyer Source: NBC

The Voice Promo Flyer
Source: NBC [22]

United Arts Media Group (UAMG) has created many popular programming including The VoiceShark Tank, and Survivor. The Voice is currently in its 6th season and has crushed its show rival, American Idol, by having higher viewers and its ability to hold the attention of their key demographic of Americans aged 18-49.

 

Their other show, Shark Tank, is steadily growing in viewership and in the young adult segment. One of their oldest shows, Survivor, has an average of 9.5 million viewers and has just entered its 29th season. They also produced a feature film called Son of God, which generated $60 million in revenue through U.S. box office sales alone. The film also sold over 700,000 DVDs. [8]

Just this year, they released a follow-up program to the mini TV series, The Bible, called A.D., a 12-hour series that premiered on Easter. They also released a new game show on ABC called 500 Questions. FOX has purchased episodes of UAMG’s hit show, Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader? Due to the popularity of the original show, Shark Tank, they released a spin-off called Beyond The Tank, which follows up with the startup companies after they launch. They also teamed up with MGM and Paramount to create a remake of the movie, Ben-Hur. They also worked with Open Road to create the film, Little Boy. [8]

Works Cited

  1. History. Hearst. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2015.
  2. Hearst Television History. Hearst. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Nov. 2015.
  3. Romper Room. TV Party. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2015.
  4. Gilpin, Kenneth N. Hearst to Buy Argyle TV In a Rare Public Venture. The New York Times. The New York Times, 26 Mar. 1997. Web. 01 Dec. 2015.
  5. America’s Largest Private Companies. Forbes. Forbes Magazine, n.d. Web. 29 Nov. 2015.
  6. A+E Networks. Hearst. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2015.
  7. All Television Shows – A&E. AETV. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2015.
  8. Entertainment. Hearst. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Nov. 2015.
  9. Unlock Your Highest Conversion Revenue. Bounce Exchange. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2015.
  10. William Randolph Hearst. Old Picture. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2015.
  11. Weekly News Update. Downtown Boston. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2015.
  12. STUDENT SCHEDULE. NCAT. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2015.
  13. Jordan Wertlieb. Hearst. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Dec. 2015.
  14. Frank Biancuzzo. Hearst. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2015.
  15. Bios. Hearst. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2015.
  16. Bios. Hearst. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2015.
  17. Rodger Keating. Hearst. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2015.
  18. Neeraj Khemlani. Hearst. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2015.
  19. George Kliavkoff. Hearst. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2015.
  20. CosmoTV. Facebook. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2015.
  21. Gstatic. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Nov. 2015.
  22. The Voice. NBC. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2015.

 

 

A+E Television Networks

by Aaron Goldsmith
A+E Television Networks Logo

A+E Networks (1)

A+E Television Networks
235 East 45th Street
New York, NY 10017
(212) 210-1400

Mission Statement:

“At A+E Networks, we are passionate about bringing human stories to life, knowing that it is in life itself that those stories originate. We are committed to empowering our employees, strengthening our partnerships and engaging audiences across the globe.

Life is what you make it. We make it entertaining,” (1).

The Executives:

Abbe Raven, President and Chief Executive Officer, A + E Networks

Abbe Raven, President and Chief Executive Officer, A+E Networks (1)

Nancy Dubac, President, Entertainment and Media, A+E Networks

Nancy Dubac, President, Entertainment and Media, A+E Networks (1)

Robert DeBitetto, President and General Manager, A&E Network and BIO

Robert DeBitetto, President and General Manager, A&E Network and BIO (1)

Melvin Berning, President, Ad Sales

Melvin Berning, President, Ad Sales (1)

About A+E Television Networks:

Beginning in 1984, A+E Television Networks is an “award-winning global media content company,” that serves the consumer base through primarily television networks as well as websites, DVD and Blu-Ray distribution, and education programming and software. With their headquarters based out of New York and offices in London and Singapore, A+E Television Networks prides itself on being a “Global Brand” with channels and branded programming in over 150 countries and 37 different languages, with over 300 million viewers. A+E Networks in divided into 10 different television networks as well as A+E Networks International, A+E Networks Digital, A&E IndieFilms, and A+E Networks Consumer Products (1).

Their Networks and Now:

A&E

A&E (1)

A&E is Real Life. Drama.” This A+E Networks channel provides top-rated content from reality shows to scripted dramas (1). Current Top Shows: Duck Dynasty, Bates Motel, Storage Wars, The First 48, American Hoggers, and Intervention (4).

What’s Happening Now:

  • April 2, 2013: A&E reports its best quarter in network history due to its high ratings for Bates Motel, Duck Dynasty, and Storage Wars. This past March was the networks highest rated month since in network history (3).
  • March 19, 2013: Bates Motel, A&E’s newest scripted drama, premiered March 18 with a viewership of 3.0 million people making it A&E’s “most-watched original drama series debut among the key 18-49 and 25-54 demos.” The show serves as a prequel to Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho (3).
  • February 28, 2013: The season three premiere of A&E’s nonfiction series Duck Dynasty on February 27 had a total viewership of 8.6 million. Duck Dynasty is now the network’s #1 telecast in the history of the network and “the #1 nonfiction series on cable in 2013,” (3).
  • January 4, 2013: Pre-production has begun on A&E’s newest reality series, Rodeo Girls. The show reveals the “chic and cutthroat” lives of professional woman rodeo competitors. A&E is working with The Weinstein Company for the eight one-hour episode order (3).
  • January 4, 2013: A&E is to premiere a new real life series, The Governor’s Wife, on February 27 after ordering 12 episodes from Leftfield Pictures. The series shows the life of former Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards who is 85 years old, his wife Trina who is 34 years old, and the family they have joined together (3).
Lifetime

Lifetime (1)

Lifetime is A+E Television Networks’ premiere network made especially for women. The network features award-winning shows of different genres, targeting different demographics of women, including reality shows, dramas, and comedies (1). Current Top Shows: Army Wives, Dance Moms, Project Runway, Preachers’ Daughters, and The Client List (5).

What’s Happening Now:

  • March 21, 2013: After a judge issued an injunction four days before its premiere, Lifetime won the rights to Romeo Killer: The Chris Porco Story, and premiered it as originally scheduled on March 23  (3).
  • February 21, 2013: Lifetime announced the lineup of March season premieres, including hit shows Army Wives and The Client List, as well as the series premiere of  Preachers’ Daughters (1).
  • January 23, 2013: Lifetime’s world premiere of its original movie, Prosecuting Casey Anthony, had a viewership of 3.3 million people, making it that night’s “number one telecast across ad-supported cable,” (1).
  • January 2, 2013: The series three premiere of Dance Moms reached a series best in ratings with 2.8 million viewers, an increase of 33% from its summer premiere in June 2012 (1).

Movies to be premiered on Lifetime:

HISTORY

HISTORY (1)

A+E Television Networks’ HISTORY channel provides original content, combining entertainment and history to  deliver programming across multiple platforms (1). Current Top Shows: Vikings, Pawn Stars, Swamp People, The Bible, and American Pickers (6).

What’s Happening Now:

    • April 2, 2013: HISTORY had the most total viewers out of all cable networks this past months, and this past quarter was the highest in the network’s history. These are due to the network’s shows’ high ratings including The Bible having 11.4 million viewers for its whole running, and both Vikings and Pawn Stars having 5.0 million viewers (1).
    • March 4, 2013: Vikings, HISTORY’s first scripted series, premiered March 3 with 6.2 million viewers. Its premiere made the show cable’s #1 series launch so far this year (1).
    • March 4, 2013: Averaging out with 14.8 million viewers over two telecasts, HISTORY’s premiere of The Bible was “the #1 cable entertainment telecast of the year,” (1).
H2

H2 (1)

H2 offers a different view of the HISTORY channel, delivering history with more entertainment and “more to explore, more to understand, More 2 History™,” (1). Top Current Shows: Ancient Aliens, America Unearthed, Mankind Decoded, and Modern Marvels (7).

What’s Happening Now:

  • January 25, 2013: A+E Networks’ H2 is premiering Miracle Rising: South Africa on February 17. The film is about South Africa’s politics throughout the years since April 1994, and the story of how the country went from apartheid to a democracy (1).
bio.

bio. (1)

Bio. is all about the truth. With shows like I Killed My BFF, I Survived…, and Celebrity Ghost Stories (9), bio. “delivers an honest portrayal of stories that will leave you amazed,” (1).

What’s Happening Now:

  • April 4, 2013: Bio.’s newest documentary, Citizen Hearst, is planned to premiere on April 23. It is about William Randolph Hearst and the story of the Hearst Corporation, directed by Leslie Iwerks (1).
Crime & Investigation Network

Crime & Investigation Network (1)

Crime & Investigation Network offers viewers with entertainment from behind-the-scenes looks at investigations, crimes, and mysteries (1). Its site features original webisodes, such as “Female Forces” and “Watching the Detectives,” while the television channel plays re-runs of popular dramas including Cold Case Files, SWAT, and The First 48 (8).

 A+E Networks Recent Ratings:

  • Cable’s Top 25 Viewership – Ending March 31, 2013 (3)
    Rank Shows Net Viewers Live + SD (000)
    2 The Bible HIST 11745
    3 Duck Dynasty A&E 8497
    6 Duck Dynasty A&E 5282
    9 Vikings HIST 4741
    14 Swamp People HIST 4557
    16 Duck Dynasty A&E 3909
    21 Duck Dynasty A&E 3470
    24 Duck Dynasty A&E 3404
  • Cable’s Top 25 Viewership – Ending March 24, 2013 (3)
    Rank Shows Net Viewers Live + SD (000)
    2 The Bible HIST 10267
    3 Duck Dynasty A&E 7839
    4 Duck Dynasty A&E 7671
    6 Swamp People HIST 4815
    7 Vikings HIST 4538
  • Cable’s Top 25 Viewership – Ending March 17, 2013 (3)
    Rank Shows Net Viewers Live + SD (000)
    1 The Bible HIST 10872
    3 Duck Dynasty A&E 8285
    4 Duck Dynasty A&E 7943
    6 Pawn Stars HIST 5059
    7 Pawn Stars HIST 5041
    10 Vikings HIST 4834
    15 American Pickers HIST 4352
    16 Swamp People HIST 4196
    17 Duck Dynasty HIST 4156
    25 Duck Dynasty A&E 3648

Sources

  1. “A+E Networks.” A+E Networks. A&E Television Networks, LLC., 2013. Web. 06 Apr. 2013. <http://www.aenetworks.com/>.
  2. “A+E Networks – Brand Identity.” YouTube. YouTube, 22 May 2012. Web. 06 Apr. 2013. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egQzFdDYfXE>.
  3. “TV News.” TVbytheNumbers. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Apr. 2013. <http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/>.
  4. “A&E TV.” A&E TV. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Apr. 2013. <http://www.aetv.com/>.
  5. “MyLifetime.com.” Lifetime. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Apr. 2013. <http://www.mylifetime.com/>.
  6. “History.com.” HISTORY. A+E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 08 Apr. 2013. <http://www.history.com/>.
  7. “About H2 – Historical Television Network from the History Channel.” History.com. A+E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 08 Apr. 2013. <http://www.history.com/h2>.
  8. “Crime & Investigation.” Crime & Investigation. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Apr. 2013. <http://www.crimeandinvestigationnetwork.com/crime-and-investigation/>.
  9. “Bio.” Bio.com. A+E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 08 Apr. 2013. <http://www.biography.com/>.

A+E Television Networks

by Jacqueline Grossman

Courtesy of www.aenetworks.com

A&E Overview

A&E Television Networks is a privately held media company located in New York City that owns and operates 10 channels that are available by both cable and satellite. The network’s channels reach more than 300 million households in 150 countries, producing content in 35 different languages [1]. Its mission involves bringing human stories to life, knowing full well that quality entertainment can come straight from real-world experiences. Lifetime Television, its flagship network, is the most powerful media brand targeted to women, with shows such as Dance Moms and Project Runway. Since its launch in February, 1984, Lifetime has grown significantly, reaching nearly 98 million households today [2].  In addition to this station, the A&E television channel itself offers a mix of reality-based programming and documentaries while its History, Military History, and History 2 channels air original programs on historical topics. The company also operates sister networks such as Crime & Investigation Network and The Biography Channel. It has international networks in the UK and Asia. [3].

History

AETN was formed in 1983 as a joint venture between Hearst, Walt Disney, and NBCUniversal (NBCU).  The company launched Lifetime in 1984, followed by the History Channel, History Channel International, and The Biography Channel in 1995 and 1998, respectively.  Throughout its history, the network has achieved incredible success, for instance in 2004 when it won 24 Emmy nominations and in 2008, when HISTORY (renamed from The History Channel) became the #1 cable network in primetime among the target demographic: adults 18-49. A&E continues to demonstrate success through its new reality television shows Duck Dynasty, Storage Wars, and Hoarders. In July of last year, NBC sold its 15.8 percent stake of A&E to Hearst and Walt Disney for $3.03 billion. [1]

Key Executives

Courtesy of www.aenetworks.com

Abbe Raven, courtesy of www.aenetworks.com

Abbe Raven has been the President and CEO of A&E Television Networks since March 2005. Before overseeing all A&E holdings, she was part of the original team that launched the History Channel and reinvented A&E (channel) in 2003. Ms. Raven is a firm believer in the motto “slow and steady wins the race,” having started as a secretary for A&E and learned the business from the bottom up.  Today, she is an award-winning President and CEO who has been named one of the Top 5 Most Powerful Women in Entertainment by The Hollywood Reporter. [1]

Gerard Gruosso, courtesy of www.aenetworks.com

As, Executive VP, Finance and CFO, Gerard Gruosso is responsible for the management of A&E’s accounts, budgets, and strategic planning. He also oversees the network’s facilities and information management. Mr. Gruosso has been with A&E since 1985, beginning as Assistant Controller, working his way up to Controller and Vice President, and eventually reaching his current position. [1]

Courtesy of www.aenetworks.com

Nancy Dubuc, courtesy of www.aenetworks.com

President, Entertainment and Media Nancy Dubuc oversees the creation and development of A&E’s brand and marketing in addition to managing A&E International and A&E Digital. Before transitioning to this position, Ms. Dubuc previously served as the President and General Manager of HISTORY and Lifetime Networks. [1]

Courtesy of www.aenetworks.com

Dan Suratt, courtesy of www.aenetworks.com

Six-time Emmy Award-winner Dan Suratt is the Executive VP, Digital Media and Business Development. He handles the network’s business negotiations and digital distribution. As a result of his efforts, Mr. Suratt has doubled A&E’s site traffic to 22 million visitors per month. [1]

Competitors

A&E’s top three competitors are Discovery Communications, Inc., MTV Networks Company, and AMC Networks Inc. [4]

Company News

January

Lifetime Television was off to a great start in the first month of 2013. It’s original movie, Prosecuting Casey Anthony, generated great success for the channel; it ranked as the number one telecast across ad-supported cable in total viewers, adults 18+, women 18+, women 25-54, and women 18-49 on the night it premiered. The movie—which starred Golden Globe and Emmy Award nominee Rob Lowe—was the first opportunity to recount the infamous Casey Anthony trial. It is from the perspective of Jeff Ashton, the Florida prosecutor who was involved in the case and provides details on his aggressive investigation of Caylee Anthony’s death. [10]

February

Duck Dynasty, courtesy of www.aetv.com

Duck Dynasty, courtesy of www.aetv.com

A&E’s unexpected hit, Duck Dynasty, became the channel’s number 1 telecast ever and number one nonfiction series on cable in 2013. The show follows the lives of the Roberson family members, owners of Duck Commander, a business that makes products for duck hunters. Its season three premiere earned a total of 8.6 million viewers, ranking ahead of FOX’s American IdolWhat is it that distinguishes this series from other “redneck” reality shows like Here Comes Honey Boo BooSwamp Pawn, and Buckwild? Television critics argue that it comes down to the characters themselves.  The Robersons are savvy, educated businessmen with diverse yet endearing personalities. In addition, the show flows at a relaxed pace and is suitable for family audiences. [11][12]

March

Nielsen ratings for cable network TV shows, courtesy of www.nielsen.com

Nielsen ratings for cable network TV shows, courtesy of www.nielsen.com

A&E received more great news in March. Its A&E television channel had its best quarter in history among total viewers and adults 25-54, soaring past the previously record-setting first quarter 2012. One of the key reasons for this success is the increase in well-received original series that aired in the first quarter of 2013, specifically Bates Motel, Duck Dynasty, and Storage Wars. Due to these shows, the network was up 2% in adults 25-54 (835,000 vs. 819,000) and up 6% in total viewers (1.7 million vs.1.6 million). March was the most watched month in the quarter, and it was the first time A&E averaged more than one million viewers age 25-54 in a single month. These records have propelled A&E up to become the fourth ranked most-watched cable network in all three demographics this March (18-49, 25-54, and total viewers). [8]

Vikings-TV-Show-Title

Vikings, the History Channel’s new show, courtesy of www.history.com

The History Channel enjoyed success from its first scripted series, Vikings. The hit drama explores the adventure, bloodshed, and passion that existed during the Dark Ages, all through the eyes of the Vikings. Vikings is special in that it not only celebrates the excitement of warfare but also demonstrates the strength of familial ties. According to the network, Vikings attracted 4.8 million total viewers, with 2.2 million adults 25-54 and 1.9 million adults 18-49. These ratings made Vikings the most-watched cable series in its timeslot. [9]

April

courtesy of www.aetv.com

Storage Wars, courtesy of www.aetv.com

One of A&E’s most popular television shows, Storage Wars, is returning on April 16th with a full series of 24 episodes, despite the network’s participation in lawsuits with former show star Dave Hester. The hit series premiered in 2010 and features teams of auctioneers looking to “hit it big” by purchasing the contents of storage facilities after inspecting it for a short amount of time. Hester took the network to court claiming the show is staged; he argued that the show’s producers knew what items were in which storage locker and used this knowledge to rig the bidders’ fates. [6] Even with this controversy, Storage Wars ranked as A&E’s number one series among adults aged 18-49 and 25-54. It also achieved the number three rating for non-fiction show on cable among adults aged 25-54. Last year, the show averaged 4.2 million total viewers. [7] Click here for a link to this season’s trailer.

Contact A+E

Website: http://www.aenetworks.com/

Address: 235 E. 45th St. New York, NY, 10017 United States

Telephone: (212) 210-1400

Works Cited

1. About A&E Networks – bringing human stories to life 

2. Lifetime 

3. A&E International Information

4. Hoovers – A&E Competitors

5. A&E Executive Bios

6. Storage Wars Lawsuit

7. Storage Wars

8. A&E Scores Best Quarter in Network History

9. Vikings

10. Casey Anthony Movie

11. Salt Lake Tribune – Duck Dynasty

12. TV By the Numbers – Duck Dynasty Article