The Discovery Channel and TLC Finish 2006 With Double Digit Ratings Gains Over 2005

The Discovery Channel and TLC capped off their primetime ratings climb for 2006 with double digit gains year-over-year.

January 3, 2007

(Silver Spring, MD) The Discovery Channel finished 2006 with a 13 percent year-over-year increase in household ratings and average audience delivery (1,119,000 P2+). Contributing to the channel's ratings increases throughout the year were viewer-favorite series DIRTY JOBS, MYTHBUSTERS, EXTREME ENGINEERING and DEADLIEST CATCH each of which has earned steady year-over year growth in their respective timeslots. Three series sprinted over the finish line in December 2006: DIRTY JOBS (Tuesday at 9 PM) increased 83 percent, MYTHBUSTERS (Wednesday at 9 PM) gained 43 percent and MAN VS. WILD (Friday at 9 PM) grew 75 percent over the year-ago timeslot ratings averages. Ten series on the Discovery Channel performed above the network's primetime average in 2006.

TLC, with its fresh slate of series backed by the "Life Lessons" brand campaign, drove double-digit ratings increases in 2006. TLC garnered a 17 percent increase in household ratings versus 2005 and a 12 percent increase in average audience delivery (806,000 P2+). For fourth quarter 2006, TLC saw a 17 percent ratings increase in household ratings and delivered an average audience of 833,000 P2+, a gain of 19 percent year-over-year.

LITTLE PEOPLE, BIG WORLD proved to be TLC's most successful new series last year with a household rating increase of 38 percent over the 2005 timeslot average. FLIP THAT HOUSE and MIAMI INK also contributed to TLC's resurgence in 2006, outperforming their year-ago household timeslot averages by 38 percent and 29 percent respectively.

"Our intensified focus on brand definitional series and specials on the Discovery Channel and the brand campaign and deep slate of series on TLC paid incredible ratings dividends in 2006," said Billy Campbell, president, Discovery Networks U.S. "We will continue the momentum with these flagship Discovery networks in 2007 and reward new and returning viewers with even more quality original content."

About Discovery Communications, Inc.

Discovery Communications, Inc. is the leading global real-world media company with operations in 170 countries and territories reaching 1.4 billion cumulative subscribers. DCI’s over 100 networks of distinctive programming represent 28 trusted brands including Discovery Channel, TLC and Animal Planet. DCI's other properties consist of Discovery Education and COSMEO, a revolutionary online homework help service, as well as Discovery Commerce, which operates more than 100 Discovery Channel Stores in the U.S. Discovery brings the real world to the whole world through its global multiplatform initiatives including Discovery Travel Media, Discovery Mobile and multiple broadband services. DCI's ownership consists of four shareholders: Discovery Holding Company (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB), Cox Communications, Inc., Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, the Company's Founder and Chairman. More information about Discovery and its businesses can be found at http://www.discovery.com