The WB Picks Up The Season’s Biggest Break-Out Hit “Smallville” For Entire Season

(October 25, 2001 – Burbank, CA) – Teenage Clark Kent will be fighting evil on The WB throughout the television season as the network picked up the back nine episodes of break-out hit “SMALLVILLE,” bringing the order to 22, it was announced today by Jordan Levin, President, Entertainment of The WB. In two airings, “SMALLVILLE” has established itself as a bona-fide hit, setting numerous ratings records, including The WB’s highest largest premiere audience ever. “SMALLVILLE” followed up its record-breaking premiere performance on October 16 with better than 90% retention of its audience in key demographics this week. "'SMALLVILLE’ has been critical in reinvigorating our Tuesday night line-up, leading us to a #1 finish with persons 12-34," Mr. Levin said. "In addition to being a breakout hit, ‘SMALLVILLE’ has quickly established itself as our #1 series with men, breaking all previous records. Our priorities for the season included continuing to make Tuesday night a showcase for quality television and to bring more men to our network. ‘SMALLVILLE’ has convincingly succeeded on both fronts in large part due to our three breakout stars, Tom Welling (Clark Kent), Kristin Kreuk (Lana Lang) and Michael Rosenbaum (Lex Luthor) and the support of Warner Bros. Television." In its premiere, “SMALLVILLE” achieved an all-time record for The WB in adults 18-34 (4.5/12) and was particularly super among men, scoring all-time record ratings for The WB in men 18-34 (5.0/14), men 18-49 (3.9/10) and the network's third best adults 18-49 (3.8/9) rating ever. “SMALLVILLE” also set all-time records for a series premiere on The WB in total viewers (8.4 million), household rating (5.4/8) and adults 18-49 (3.8/9). In its second broadcast, the super series scored across the board as it finished #1 in its time period in men 18-34 (4.3/12), #2 in adults 18-34 (4.1/11), #2 in women 18-34 (3.9/10), #1 in persons 12-34 (4.2/12), #2 in women 12-34 (4.2/12, up from its premiere), #1 for the night in men 12-34 (4.1/13), #3 in its time period in men 18-49 (3.2/9), #1 in teens (4.5/15, up from its premiere), #1 in female teens (5.2/17, up from its premiere) and #1 in male teens (3.8/14). “SMALLVILLE” was written and developed by Alfred Gough & Miles Millar (“Shanghai Noon”), based on the DC Comics characters. Gough and Millar serve as executive producers, along with Mike Tollin, Brian Robbins and Joe Davola. The series is produced by Warner Bros. Television and Tollin/Robbins Productions. SUPERMAN was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Schuster. # # #