• April 11, 2001

(Reuters) - Pax TV averaged a 1.0 rating in prime time for the first quarter of 2001 on the strength of its 8 p.m. checkerboard of original hourlong series such as "Doc," "Mysterious Ways" and "Encounters With the Unexplained."

That viewership figure represents not only the best-rated quarter in the 2 1/2-year history of Pax TV but a 32% increase over its average prime-time rating during the first quarter of 2000.

Pax TV's first-quarter prime-time Nielsens grew faster than those of any of the other seven networks. While Pax TV was jumping by 25%, the next biggest gainer, CBS, rose by only 5%.

In four of the most watched demographic categories -- adults 25-54, adults 18-49, women 25-54 and women 18-49 -- Pax TV shot up by solid double-digit ratings in the quarter.