Guinness World Records™ Presents CCTV New Record for Most Watched National Network TV Broadcast

CANNES, France, April 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Guinness World Records, the global authority on record-breaking achievements, today presented China Central TV (CCTV) the world record for Most Watched National Network TV Broadcast for its annual Spring Festival Gala show. The program, which is produced especially to celebrate the Chinese New Year, had a unique reach of 498,659,000 viewers on CCTV-1, 3 and 4 in 2012 - making it the most watched national variety entertainment show in the world.

The official record certificate was presented by Guinness World Records, Global Managing Director, Mr. Alistair Richards to CCTV Vice President Mr. Luo Ming during a special "China in Cannes" reception co-hosted with Reed MIDEM as part of the celebrations to honor the Chinese delegation at this year's MIPTV market.

CSM Media Research, which supplied the viewing figures for Guinness World Records verification, considered viewers aged 4 years or above who watched at least one minute of the 2012 show on either CCTV-1, 3 or 4, the three channels which aired the show simultaneously. The figure refers to viewers on any one of the three channels, thus excluding duplications. This represents almost 40% of the China TV population aged 4 years or above.

Commenting on CCTV's incredible record achievement which is based on reach of audience, Alistair Richards Global Managing Director for Guinness World Records said: "It is fitting that we celebrate this amazing achievement at MIPTV. National networks have the power to move nations and CCTV's Spring Festival Gala is the ultimate example. It reaches nearly half a billion people on the biggest holiday of their year."

CCTV Vice President Luo Ming, who accepted the Guinness World Records certificate on behalf of CCTV, said: "Chinese New Year is a special time for families in China and our Spring Festival Gala has been the traditional TV entertainment highlight for three decades. Although this is a world record achieved by our viewers, it is also a record won by the staff of CCTV, who makes it possible for our television shows to reach homes right across China."

The new record will be included in the next edition of the world famous Guinness World Records book.

About Guinness World Records

Guinness World Records is the universally recognized authority on record-breaking achievement. First published in 1955, the annual Guinness World Records book is published in more than 100 countries and 25 languages and is the highest-selling books under copyright of all time with more than 3 million copies sold annually across the globe. Guinness World Records celebrated its 50th anniversary edition in 2004, a year after the sale of its 100 millionth copy. Guinness World Records also annually publishes the Gamer's Edition; a records book devoted solely to the world of computer gaming and high score record achievements. The Guinness World Records website (http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com) receives more than 11 million visitors a year. Guinness World Records is part of the Jim Pattison Group, one of Canada's largest privately owned companies.

About CCTV

China Central Television (CCTV) is the national TV station of the People's Republic of China and one of China's most important news broadcasters. Today, CCTV has become one of China's most influential media outlets. In addition to its TV programs, CCTV has also built up a multi-media broadcasting platform and business operation, which includes movies, newspapers and the internet. CCTV is an important window for Chinese to learn about the outside world, and for the world to find out more about China. CCTV is making efforts to become a global media network with increased international influence. Currently CCTV is offering 6 International Channels in 6 different languages, which are Chinese, English, French, Spanish, Russian and Arabic. CCTV has also started business across new media platforms such as Internet TV, Mobile TV, Bus Mobile TV and IP TV.