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Following on from an exceptionally strong Christmas for ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Vision, the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ has announced that both ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Three and ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ iPlayer have delivered record end of year figures.

The two-week Christmas and New Year period (22 December-4 January) saw ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Three recording its best ever week (29 December-4 January) with a share of 5.1% amongst its target audience of 16-34 year olds.

This concludes a highly successful year for the channel with year on year growth of 16% amongst the target audience. December 2008 saw 41 million requests to view ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ TV programmes via ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ iPlayer, the biggest month since launch in December 2007.

This compared to just over 35 million requests in November 2008. The total number of requests for the year now stands at 271 million (25 December 2007 to 25 December 2008).

During the seven-day period from Christmas Day to 31 December the total number of requests to view ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ TV programmes via ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ iPlayer was eight million.

The Top 20 programmes on ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ iPlayer during this time were:

1 Wallace And Gromit: A Matter Of Loaf And Death

2 Doctor Who Series 4: The Next Doctor

3 Top Gear Series 12: Episode 8 (Vietnam)

4 Gavin and Stacey: Christmas Special

5 The Royle Family: The New Sofa

6 EastEnders 26.12.08

7 Outnumbered Series 2: Episode 7

8 EastEnders 25.12.08 21:00

9 EastEnders 29.12.08

10 EastEnders 25.12.08 20:00

11 Mock the Week Series 6: Episode 13

12 Have I Got News for You Christmas Special 2008

13 EastEnders 30.12.08

14 Blackadder Rides Again

15 The 39 Steps

16 Top Gear Series 9: Episode 3

17 Never Mind the Buzzcocks Series 18: Episode 4

18 EastEnders 24.12.08

19 Survivors Episode 6

20 Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special 2008

Jana Bennett, Director ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Vision, said: "This was an excellent Christmas for ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Vision as audiences fully embraced on demand alongside their traditional viewing. The fact that ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ One delivered 17 out of the top 20 programmes on ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ iPlayer and 9 out of 10 on traditional TV continues to prove that our channel brands remain strong across all of our platforms. More than ever it's important that we offer something great for all the family and our Christmas schedules felt both rich and varied this year."

Danny Cohen, Controller ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Three, said: "Having our best ever week has rounded off a fantastic year for ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Three. The channel's young audience share grew by 16% in 2008, and we're delighted that young viewers are finding so much to enjoy on the channel."

Erik Huggers, Director, ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ FM&T, said: "This confirms that 2008 was the year of the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ iPlayer. The service evolved dramatically throughout its first 12 months – we've just introduced downloading for Mac and Linux users, and a special version of ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ iPlayer for C³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ – and the innovation will continue in 2009."

NC