OREANDA-NEWS. December 04, 2014. CTC Media Inc. (“CTC Media,” “CTC” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ:CTCM), a leading Russian independent media company, today announced that it has taken the lead among the target demographic of viewers aged 10-45 in the 9:00 – 10:00 pm primetime slot due to the popularity of the second season of its hit series Molodezhka. CTC had an average viewership share of 17.7% during the premiere week of the second season, which was significantly higher than the channel’s average audience share.

On-air leadership was reinforced by the show’s success in digital media, where the series met and surpassed the results of its first season, which was also very successful. The second season premiere of Molodezhka received 400% more online video views than the show’s pilot episode. Audience metrics for the season two premiere also surpassed those for the show’s first season finale by 50%.

Yuliana Slashcheva, CEO of CTC Media: “The second season of Molodezhka is making a strong case for being our main audience-grabbing hit of the fall season. We should not forget that the first season of Molodezhka generated close to \\$1 million in revenues through non-primetime showings alone, and the current metrics are even more impressive. We are particularly proud of the success of our revolutionary Second Screen app, whose launch was a key topic of discussion on social media. Digital and multimedia development is CTC Media’s strategic priority, and we expect that by the end of 2014, our efforts will result in substantial income as well as a stronger leadership position in the market.”

Launched in mid-November, the Second Screen app allows viewers to follow episodes on two screens by automatically synchronizing TV and mobile activities. While watching the show, the viewer opens the mobile app, which synchronizes to the audio of the episode. Then the viewer can then access additional information on characters and plotlines, interactive polls and quizzes, opportunities to predict future plotline developments and the latest social media activities of their favorite actors and actresses. The app also allows for the creation of sponsorship pages and features an online store with branded clothing and other goods for fans to purchase.

Vyacheslav Murugov, Chief Content Officer, Head of CTC Channel: “The success of season two of Molodezhka has helped promote the Second Screen app. We started the first season of Molodezhka with 12.2% of target audience share, reaching an average share of 16.2% as the series unfolded. The second season premiered with 17.2%, and we hope that this will increase even more as the second season progresses. In any case, Molodezhka is a long-term hit for CTC TV. I am confident that, thanks to the coordinated work of the CTC Media production team and our contractors from Art Pictures, the series will continue to be popular both on the air and online.”

During the week of the second season premiere, online viewership reached 5,000,000, with 49% of viewers watching the show through their mobile devices. Molodezhka mobile Second Screen app installations also reached half a million. The total number of Second Screen users was around 120,000.

Alexei Pivovarov, Director of Transmedia Projects Department: “I’m pleased that our Second Screen technology has received such a positive response from viewers and users. In addition to Second Screen, we have developed a range of interactive activities for our viewers, including various competitions and quizzes that will be posted on the website throughout the second season. In December, we will launch a computer game based on the series, which will make Molodezhka the first true multimedia project developed in Russia.”

In addition to its TV and digital leadership, CTC’s Molodezhka series performs the important public mission of spreading the value of sports. Molodezhka received a special award “For Promoting Sports” at the 6th International Sports Movie and TV Festival.