Bravo's "Count" Speaks Language of Love; $20 Million Original Mini-Series Wins All-Time High Ratings and Unanimous Praise.

NEW YORK--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--June 28, 1999--

Cinema Star Gerard Depardieu Dominates U.S. Television

Last week, television audiences were mesmerized by love, injustice and revenge during the premiere of Bravo's first original mini-series, THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO, starring French cinema icon, Gerard Depardieu. Kicking off with a 1.4 G.A.A.(1) for the premiere, THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO sustained an average rating of 1.3 G.A.A.(1) for the entire 8-hour series, crowning Bravo's first mini-series as the highest rated original co-production in the network's history.

THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO, a spectacular 8-hour mini-series starring Depardieu, Ornella Muti and Jean Rochefort, among other celebrated actors, debuted on Monday, June 21 at 8:00 PM/ET and continued in 2-hour blocks on June 22, 23, & 24. Penned more than a century ago by France's great author Alexandre Dumas, THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO features a classic story of an unjustly imprisoned man out for dramatic revenge. In Bravo's lavish mini-series, the passionate tale is told in passion's language, French, with English subtitles, marking the first time an English-language television network has presented 8 hours of programming with sub-titles.

Unprecedented critical praise played a role in driving the network's historic rating. The New York Post awarded THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO five stars, and declared it "marvelous." The New York Times praised the series as a "treat," TV Guide praised it as "lush," The Chicago Tribune blessed the series as "mesmerizing," and The Christian Science Monitor called it "one of the best television movies airing this summer."

New York Magazine's John Leonard and Newsday's Marvin Kitman also encouraged viewers to embrace the sub-titled series and seized the opportunity to support foreign-film programming. "We're thrilled about the success and popularity of THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO," comments Frances Berwick, Senior Vice President, Programming for Bravo. "The strong performance of the series proves that today's television audience enjoys great storytelling - in any language."

Bravo, The Film and Arts Network, offers critically acclaimed American and international films as well as performing arts, including dance, theater, classical music and jazz. Bravo is available to over 40 million homes nationwide.

(1) Source: Nielsen Media Research, Inc., Startrak Overnight Ratings

for 6/21-6/24, 1999, 8PM & 11PM airings.