MUMBAI: Viacom's premium music channel VH1, which launched in India this month, has had its best year ever in the US!

The year, 2004, was VH1's best, thanks to the channel's original series such as The Surreal Life, Best Week Ever, I Love The 90s, The Fabulous Life, My Coolest Years and Motormouth, have contributed in making VH1 the most watched year ever in primetime and total day among total viewers and the key 18-49 demographics, according to Nielsen Media Research data.

The year also delivered VH1's most watched quarter, summer, month, week and day.

In primetime, VH1 delivered an average 520,000 total viewers  a 5+ per cent increase over the average for 2003. And for the 18-49 group, VH1 averaged 345,000 total viewers  a 3+ per cent increase over last year's average.

In total day, VH1 averaged 305,000 viewers  a 12+ per cent increase over the average in 2003. Among 18-49 viewers, the network delivered an average 204,000 total viewers  a 9+ per cent increase compared to the average for 2003.

"In 2004, provocative, original productions fueled VH1's success. And expect us to build on that in January with the launch of The Surreal Life IV, Strange Love and Celebrity Fit Club," said MTV and VH1 president (Entertainment) Brian Graden.

In addition to strong showings from The Surreal Life and I Love the 90s, VH1 scored its most watched day ever among viewers P2+ on 11 December with a marathon of this season's America's Next Top Model. The marathon fueled a total day average of 837,000 viewers P2+ and helped build suspense for the series finale.

While 2004 surely seems to have been good for the channel in the US, it remains to be seen whether the same magic can be recreated in India.