"AMERICAN SEX LIVES > 2004": A "PRIMETIME LIVE" SURVEY REVEALS SURPRISING NEW FINDINGS ABOUT OUR SEXUAL ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOR

Working in conjunction with the ABC News Polling Unit, "Primetime Live" has surveyed a random sample of Americans across the country to establish a new, detailed picture of sex attitudes and behavior in America today. The results of this sex survey, one of the most extensive of its kind in the last 50 years, will be revealed in a live, hour-long "Primetime" event, "American Sex Lives > 2004." How monogamous are Americans? How sexually adventurous? How many of us cheat? When does the "seven-year itch" really begin? Are Democrats or Republicans more satisfied with their sex lives? The surprising answers may change how many of us think about ourselves and others. "Primetime Live" airs THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

According to the "Primetime Live" poll, many Americans yearn for commitment. Yet, while most Americans describe themselves as sexually "traditional," many really wish they or their partners were more adventurous in bed. In fact, this groundbreaking survey finds a range of eye-popping sexual activities, fantasies and attitudes in this country, confirming some conventional wisdom, exploding some myths and treading where few scientific surveys have gone before.

We know there are vast differences in sexual attitudes between men and women. The "Primetime Live" survey reveals where those differences are most glaring-from how much men and women enjoy sex to how often they think about it. But surprisingly, the poll shows there are also many areas where men and women don't seem to be from Mars and Venus after all.

One of the key survey findings is that satisfaction with sex definitely does matter. A statistical analysis identifies some of the factors independently related to satisfaction with sex, marriage and life more broadly. Among other findings, it shows that activities such as discussing fantasies with a partner contribute to an exciting sex life, that an exciting sex life contributes to a happy marriage, and that a happy marriage contributes to life satisfaction.

The wide-ranging survey yields fascinating insights into many other areas, including: the sexual behavior and attitude of "cheaters;" how often people of various age groups are having sex; how many sexual partners the average American has had; the sexual attitudes of religious Americans; and various findings about the ultimate sexual topic-the orgasm.

DIANE SAWYER, CHRIS CUOMO, CYNTHIA McFADDEN and JOHN QUINONES are the anchors of "Primetime Live." SHELLEY ROSS is the executive producer.