The seventh annual X Games from Philadelphia was the most-watched X Games ever. The event posted ratings increases across all networks and key demographic groups, and witnessed a boost in attendance, leading to the most successful X Games to date. The definitive action sports showcase featured the best athletes in the world competing for medals and prize money in the new host city of Philadelphia, Aug. 17-23. ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC Sports combined to televise 20.5 original hours of action from the Games, including afternoon, prime-time and late-night programming.

X Games Ratings, Viewership and Attendance Facts

· In an X Games record, the 2001 event attracted an average audience of 465,905 (all dayparts, ESPN, ESPN2, ABC Sports average), an increase of 48% (from 314,619) from last year, including a 60% increase (179,972 from 112,319) for people (male and female) age 12-24.

· ESPN's ratings were up 24% (0.87 from 0.70) from last year for afternoon and prime-time slots. Within the people 12-17 demographic, ratings were up 86% (0.93 from 0.50), while numbers for males 12-17 were up 72% (1.48 from 0.86). Also, within the 18-34 male demographic, ratings were up 40% (1.05 from 0.75).

· ESPN's daily late-night 60-minute telecasts were up 19% (0.62 from 0.52).

· ESPN2's ratings were up 48% (0.80 from 0.49) overall, 44% (1.05 from 0.73) within the male 18-34 year-old demographic, 38% for people 12-17 (0.76 from 0.55) and 30% for males 12-17 (1.26 from 0.97).

· ESPN2's August 21 telecast was the highest-rated and most-viewed X Games telecast ever on ESPN2 (0.97 rating, 754,704 households). That telecast was also ESPN2's highest-rated X Games ever for key demographic groups - males 18-34 (1.70 rating) and males 18-49 (1.06), and most viewed ever for males 12-17 (156,639 households). Furthermore, ESPN2 garnered its three most-viewed X Games telecasts ever.

· ABC Sports' X Games ratings were up 14% (1.34 from 1.18).

· X Games on-site attendance showed a 19% increase in daily spectator average at the main X Games venue (35,367 from 29,738) and a 17% increase for overall attendance (234,950 from 201,126). Once again, all events were free and open to the public.

ESPN2 TO CREATE WEEKDAY ACTION SPORTS PROGRAMMING BLOCK

Fresh off the most successful X Games to date, ESPN2 will launch weekday programming blocks, "EXPN Global TV," dedicated to action sports, beginning September 10. During the school year (September through mid-June), the network will feature hour-long blocks from 6-7 a.m. ET and 9-10 a.m. ET (6-7 a.m. PT), allowing for "before school" viewing opportunities for younger audiences in different time zones. For the summer, ESPN2 will replace the 6-7 a.m. ET block with a midnight-1 a.m. ET (9-10 p.m. PT) block.

Featured programming will include X Games and Winter X Games highlights, Tony Hawk Gigantic Skatepark Tour, Dave Mirra BMX Tour, EXPN 2Day, X Trax (music-based series), plus stops from a variety of pro tours in sports ranging from Wakeboarding to Moto X to Snocross to Supercross to Snowboarding.

"EXPN Global TV" Programming Blocks on ESPN2 (begins Sept. 10) School Year (Sept. through mid-June) Monday-Friday: 6-7 a.m. ET Monday-Friday: 9-10 a.m. ET (6-7 a.m. PT)

Summer (June through Sept.) Monday-Friday: 6-7 a.m. ET Monday-Friday: midnight-1 a.m. ET (9-10 p.m. PT)

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