The television channel that grabbed New Zealand's attention by floating a 40 foot yellow duck in Auckland Harbour last February has celebrated its first year on air with record share results, almost 100,000 facebook followers, and a hit new season of shows.

FOUR was launched by MediaWorks on Waitangi Day 2011, as a pure entertainment channel aimed at 18-49 year-olds - part of a new two-channel strategy that also saw TV3 evolve its target demographic to 25-54 year-olds.

FOUR was designed to attract a broad audience, and the programming strategy reflected the new channel's intention to surprise, delight and entertain. Popular shows like The Simpsons and America's Next Top Model migrating to FOUR, and new programmes such as The Glee Project premiering on the channel. The payoff has been exceptional.

FOUR finished its first year on air with a stellar January performance, growing its share of the 18-49 peak audience by 67% when compared with C4's performance in January 2010. The January result caps a very strong quarter - the channel enjoyed 41% year-on-year growth in the 18-49 peak share in the Nov-Jan quarter.

FOUR's impact on the television landscape as a whole has been significant. In its first month on air, FOUR overtook Prime in the 18-49 demographic, and is also ahead in 25-54, making it the major player among the smaller free-to-air channels. Ratings also show FOUR is reaching a broad audience with particular growth in females and families.

FOUR is also leading the way in the social media realm, and is 'NZ's most liked TV channel' with more than 97,000 facebook fans - well over twice the number of followers of any other free-to-air channel.

During the 2011 Rugby World Cup FOUR bucked the trend to rebrand itself as 'The home of NOT rugby'. The move paid off in both profile and audience - FOUR continued to enjoy year-on-year growth in viewership through the RWC 2011 period

2012 has seen further investment in FOUR. Hit sitcom New Girl launched strongly on February 7, after an innovative marketing campaign that included an advance online premi�re of the first episode. New Girl won a 9.6% share of the 18-49 demographic and a 19.1% share of the Urban Auckland 18-49 demographic.

It is part of a new season line-up which features the latest series of the channel's most popular programmes; The Simpsons, Family Guy, America's Next Top Model , How I Met Your Mother, Misfits, The Biggest Loser, and Survivor. Also new in 2012 is afternoon entertainment show FOUR Live. Hosted by Shannon Ryan, FOUR Live is free to air television's only magazine-style entertainment programme, covering music, fashion, gaming, film, television and more.

Top Programmes

- The Simpsons, America's Next Top Model and Family Guy were the top-rated series of FOUR's first year on air. In 2012, New Girl looks set to become one of the channel's top programmes.

- FOUR's movies are part of the channel's DNA with classic and family movie nights often as popular as blockbuster features.

- FOUR Kids. The channel's daytime programming, which features Sesame Street, and Sticky TV is a strong off-peak performer.