Oprah Remains America's Favorite TV Personality, According to Harris Poll David Letterman (#2), Bill O'Reilly (#3), Ray Romano (#4) and Jay Leno (#5) take the next four places ROCHESTER, N.Y., Dec. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- At the end of every year since 1993, the Harris Poll has asked Americans to name their favorite TV personalities. In this year's survey, Oprah Winfrey retains the number-one position she held last year. In the eleven years that Harris Interactive has conducted this survey, Oprah has always been one of the top-three favorites. This is the fourth time she has been number one; she also topped the list in 1998, 2000 and 2002. David Letterman who achieved his best-ever ranking last year at #3, moves up to #2. But his rise is relatively gradual compared to that of Bill O'Reilly of Fox News, who came onto the list for the first time in 2001 at #7, rose to #5 last year and jumps up to #3 now. Fourth place is taken by Ray Romano, who drops down from the #2 position last year. Jay Leno is #5, up from #9 last year; this is his best showing ever, although he held the #6 position in 1998 and 2001. These are the results of a nationwide survey conducted online by Harris Interactive among a nationwide sample of 1,109 adults between November 17 and 21, 2003. Other TV personalities who make it into the top-ten list this year are: * Dr. Phil McGraw, talk show host and Jon Stewart, host of The Daily Show on Comedy Central, who are tied at #6. * William Petersen, of the TV series drama, CSI (Crime Scene Investigation), who comes onto the list for the first time at #8. * Whoopi Goldberg at #9. * Jennifer Aniston (who was #6 last year), Ellen DeGeneres and Martin Sheen who are all equal at #10. The three people who dropped off the list this year are all involved in news programs: Katie Couric (#4 in 2002), Tom Brokaw (was #8) and Dan Rather (was #10). While Oprah Winfrey is tops with women, with whites and blacks, David Letterman is #1 among men. Among viewers ages 18-29, the choice is different; Jon Stewart, Jennifer Aniston, Conan O'Brien and Homer Simpson all share first place. There are also big differences among those of different political views. While Oprah Winfrey is tops with Democrats, Bill O'Reilly is the favorite among Republicans, and Independents pick Jay Leno. TABLE 1 FAVORITE TV PERSONALITY "Who is your favorite TV personality?" Base: All adults 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002* 2003 Oprah Winfrey 2 2 3 3 3 1 2 1 3 1 1 David Letterman 6 6 4 5 7 * * 6 4 3 2 Bill O'Reilly * * * * * * * * 7 5 3 Ray Romano * * * * * * * =7 5 2 4 Jay Leno * 8 10 =10 8 =6 * =7 6 9 5 Dr. Phil McGraw * * * * * * * * * 7 =6 Jon Stewart * * * * * * * * * * =6 William Peterson * * * * * * * * * * 8 Whoopi Goldberg * * * * * * * * * * 9 Jennifer Aniston * * * * * * 6 * * 6 =10 Ellen DeGeneres * * * * * * * * * * =10 Martin Sheen * * * * * * * * * * =10 * The 2002 survey was conducted in January 2003. FAVORITE TV PERSONALITY AMONG DIFFERENT GROUPS AMONG: 2003 Men David Letterman Women Oprah Winfrey Age 18-29 Jon Stewart, Jennifer Aniston, Conan O'Brien, Homer Simpson Age 65+ Bill O'Reilly White Oprah Winfrey African-American Oprah Winfrey Hispanic Ellen DeGeneres Republicans Bill O'Reilly Democrats Oprah Winfrey Independents Jay Leno DROPPED OUT OF TOP TEN THIS YEAR Rank in 2002 Katie Couric #4 Tom Brokaw #8 Dan Rather #10 Methodology The Harris Poll(R) was conducted online within the United States between November 17 and 23, 2003 among a nationwide cross section of 2,376 adults. Figures for age, sex, race, education and number of adults in the household were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. "Propensity score" weighting was also used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online. In theory, with probability samples of this size, one could say with 95 percent certainty that the results have a statistical precision of plus or minus three percentage points of what they would be if the entire adult population had been polled with complete accuracy. Unfortunately, there are several other possible sources of error in all polls or surveys that are probably more serious than theoretical calculations of sampling error. They include refusals to be interviewed (non-response), question wording and question order, and weighting. It is impossible to quantify the errors that may result from these factors. This online survey is not a probability sample. These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls. About Harris Interactive(R) Harris Interactive (http://www.harrisinteractive.com/) is a worldwide market research and consulting firm best known for The Harris Poll(R), and for pioneering the Internet method to conduct scientifically accurate market research. Headquartered in Rochester, New York, U.S.A., Harris Interactive combines proprietary methodologies and technology with expertise in predictive, custom and strategic research. The Company conducts international research through wholly owned subsidiaries-London-based HI Europe (http://www.hieurope.com/) and Tokyo-based Harris Interactive Japan-as well as through the Harris Interactive Global Network of local market- and opinion-research firms, and various U.S. offices. EOE M/F/D/V To become a member of the Harris Poll Online(SM) and be invited to participate in future online surveys, visit http://www.harrispollonline.com/. DATASOURCE: Harris Interactive CONTACT: Nancy Wong of Harris Interactive, +1-585-214-7316, or Web site: http://www.harrisinteractive.com/ http://www.harrispollonline.com/ http://www.hieurope.com/

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