Degrassi's 'The Heat is On' Rises to the Top as TeenNick's Highest-Rated and Most-Watched Telecast Ever

TV Movie Brings in Record-Breaking 1.2 Million Total Viewers

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Jul 21, 2010, 12:16 ET

NEW YORK, July 21 /PRNewswire/ -- TeenNick's original two-hour Degrassi TV movie, "The Heat is On" (Monday, July 19, 9 p.m. ET), was a scorcher, setting a new record as the highest-rated and most-watched telecast in the net's history with 1.2 million total viewers (+21% over the previous record-holder "Degrassi Goes Hollywood," August 14, 2009 [977,000 P2+]).

"The Heat is On" also ranked as Monday night's number-one rated telecast on all TV with teens 12-17 (4.2/665,000,+1300%) and females 12-17 (8.0/610,000, +1500%), besting the closest competitor (ABC Family's The Secret Life of The American Teenager) by +23% and +33% respectively.

TeenNick also scored its most-watched week (7/12/10-7/18/10) ever with total viewers, fueled by the "Every Degrassi Ever" marathon, which posted high double-digit gains with teens 12-17 (+75%) and total viewers (+44%).

"The Heat is On" kicked off season 10 of Degrassi and the series' six-week prime-time summer event, which features daily telenovela-style premieres every weeknight (Mondays-Thursdays at 9 pm ET now through August 26). Additionally, TeenNick will air a weekly two-hour encore of the week's past episodes each Friday night (9-11 pm ET).

"The Heat is On" follows the Degrassi crew as school lets out for the summer. Holly J has big plans- an internship at TVM and a romantic summer with her boyfriend, Declan, in NYC. Spinner finds out that Jane cheated on him and breaks up with her at a graduation pool party. Jane hops on the plane to NYC with Holly J and Declan. The three of them take the city by storm and get into a little trouble on the way. Back in Toronto, Spinner, Jay, Manny and Emma go looking for excitement, and find a lot more than they expected.

The 10th season of Degrassi will further explore the lives of the students, as well as tackle many issues that are relevant to teens today including divorce, bullies, gender identity, community service, double standards, Internet safety, family dynamics, runaways and romance.

Degrassi, winner of both a Television Critics Association Award and two Teen Choice Summer Series Awards, is a fictional, dramatic series that tackles tough issues in a realistic way. The most authentic teen drama on television, Degrassi explores an interesting group of adolescents and young adults going through the trials and tribulations at Degrassi Community School and beyond.

TeenNick, the 24-hour TV network exclusively for and about teens, is available in 70 million households via cable, digital cable and satellite, as well on mobile, VOD and broadband. TeenNick's distinct perspective connects its audience to the electricity and possibilities of teendom, anytime and anywhere, with original series and ever-popular favorites. TeenNick and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.

SOURCE Nickelodeon