• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, September 11, 2007

Proving once again that a network's strongest marketing vehicle is its own airtime, a new study finds that most teens say they're exposed to new series via on-air promos. Second? Another old-timer: Word of mouth.

Newfangled avenues such as social networking and video-sharing sites or blogs were further down on the list.

The survey of 750 13- to-17-year-olds found that 51% report becoming aware via the promos, while 33% said conversations with friends clue them in.

Another finding shows that old habits die hard--70% said they planned to watch their favorite show "live," with 21% saying they would use a DVR.

The "Teen Topix" study was conducted the week of Aug. 6--as network marketing of fall shows ramped up--by OTX, Online Testing eXchange, in conjunction with social networking site eCrush.

Regarding the newer media vehicles, the study found that 11% of the teens cited social network sites as a way to find out about a new show, 10% said video-sharing sites, and 7% cited blogs. Even Internet ads, at 26%, were just above another word-of-mouth vehicle--family conversations, at 23%.

The survey found the top new shows teens say they plan to view are CW's "Gossip Girl," with a four-way tie for second between NBC's "Bionic Woman," CBS's "Kid Nation" and ABC's "Caveman" and "Pushing Daisies."