[Press Release] tvN's Ratings for Weekend Primetime Lineup Double In Key Demo

Published on 2018/02/21

CJ E&M's flagship channel tvN's weekend primetime lineup for the first quarter 2018 already increased by 100 percent in Nielsen Korea key demo ratings -adults 20-49, compared to the previous quarter. tvN's strong weekend lineup, a mix of new variety shows and long-run signature series, has created synergy to capture the attention of viewers that reflected onto the ratings.

In its weekend prime time slot -Friday to Sunday, 20:00-24:00 K.S.T. - Youn's Kitchen 2 leads the Friday night, passing the baton to Super TV, a reality show featuring legendary K-pop idol group Super Junior.

Every Saturday at 19:40, Seoul Mate, a variety show where Korean celebrities host foreign travelers in their homes, is followed up by Thrifters on Travel, a travel variety show that continues to break its own viewership records.

tvN's long-run hit series, Comedy Big League 5 and Brainiacs, filled the Sunday slot 19:40 and 22:30 accordingly. Meanwhile, fantasy genre drama Korean Odyssey completes tvN's weekend primetime lineup, airing every Saturday and Sunday 21:00 (K.S.T.)

Summary of the programs in tvN's weekend lineup are as following (timeslots in K.S.T.):

- Friday Lineup
▪ Youn's Kitchen 2 (21:50)- Following in the footsteps of the successful season 1, Youn's Kitchen 2 returns with its star producer Na Young-seok. Four celebrities attempt to run a Korean restaurant in the small town of Garachico on Tenerife, the largest of Spain's Canary Islands. As of February 2, 2018 Youn's Kitchen 2 recorded tvN's highest variety show ratings with 19.4% (Nielsen Korea).

▪ Super TV (23:30)- A new type of variety show that follows K-pop idol group Super Junior. Super TV features a never-seen-before combination of different formats, incorporating elements of a quiz show, talk show, reality show, etc., offering a wide variety of entertaining aspects for viewers.

- Saturday Lineup
▪ Seoul Mate (19:40)-A travel variety show where celebrities host foreign travelers in their own homes. The guests explore Seoul with the guide from their celebrity hosts, as they connect, learn about their differences, and build special friendships.

▪ Thrifters on Travel (22:30)-Celebrities are given a very tight budget to execute the most meaningful, but thrifty travel experience. From visiting the most economic to luxury travel spots, the tour guides tailor a memorable experience that appreciate the small luxuries in life.

- Sunday Lineup
▪ Comedy Big League 5 (19:40)-A comedy show where professional comedians team up to perform their original sketches to a live audience that votes for the best sketch. The winners are rewarded with a grand cash prize.

▪ Brainiacs (22:30)-Six intelligent celebrities together with a special guest solve a set of enigmatic questions. Only when the questions are all solved, their work is done and they can return home.

- Saturday & Sunday Lineup
▪ "A Korean Odyssey" (21:00) - Fantasy drama based on a Wily king of the Monkey Son Oh-gong and his friend like foe King Wooma as the two thrive to find harmony in times of total darkness