'Downton' Finishes Strong, Will New Season Air Earlier Than Usual?
“Downton Abbey” did Sunday what networks hope every show will: deliver more viewers in its finale than premiere. The soap opera about life in a stately British home drew an average of 8.2 million viewers for its season ender, up from the 7.9 million for the January Season Three premiere.
In household ratings, using Nielsen fast national data, the finale posted a 5.2 -- up from a 5.1 for the premiere, according to PBS and member station WGBH.
The two entities also said the Season Three finale soared above the previous season’s average viewership of 5.4 million and 3.5 household rating. The show -- which is making a bid to be considered among PBS’s most well-known ever -- posted viewership that more quadrupled PBS’s average prime-time results.
“Downton” reached another milestone this season, drawing the second-highest household rating on TV the night of the Super Bowl by one metric.
Viking River Cruises and Ralph Lauren have been airing spots prior to “Downton” episodes.
What will be interesting between now and the fall is whether PBS and WGBH opt (or receive the rights to) air the “Downton” fourth season at the same time it airs in the U.K. The show has aired in Britain in the fall with a Christmas special before it begins airing in the U.S. in January.
With its popularity, however, spoilers are making their way stateside before the episodes air, while PBS runs the risk of fans scouring the Internet to watch episodes before they make it to the U.S. Show star Hugh Bonneville has been one of the many involved to express an interest in more simultaneous distribution.
Recent MediaDailyNews Articles
-
Original 'Voice' Judges Return May 17, 5:41 p.m.
The original quartet of coaches for “The Voice” will return for the fifth season this fall. ... -
Van Wagner Partners With CineSport For Online Video May 17, 5:34 p.m.
Van Wagner Communications’ Sports and Entertainment division is joining forces with CineSport, partly owned by Van ... -
'Idol' Falls, 'Bang' Leads Thursdays May 17, 3:38 p.m.
TV broadcast networks environment is definitely shifting -- as evidence of last major night of the ... -
Sapient Revs Up 12%, Optimistic About 2013 May 17, 2:47 p.m.
Marketing services company Sapient reported first-quarter revenues of $292.6 million, up 12% from the same period ... -
KSE Finalizes Outdoor Channel Buy May 17, 11:08 a.m.
An entity controlled by sports entrepreneur Stan Kroenke has finalized its acquisition of the Outdoor Channel ... -
'Tonight' Still King Of Late-Night TV May 17, 10:49 a.m.
While NBC proceeds to sets up its late-night changes for next year, "The Tonight Show with ... -
U.S. Open Going Cable-Only, Moves To ESPN May 17, 9:18 a.m.
After decades on the network that saw stars from Ashe to Navratilova to Federer win, the ... -
USA Looks To Make Comedy King In The New Season May 16, 10:22 p.m.
What do you do when you’re the last network putting on the last event of the ... -
Comedy Central Goes Dark To Simulcast New Radio Channel May 16, 6:12 p.m.
For the first time since its tribute to Johnny Carson 20 years ago, Comedy Central will ... -
MGM Doubles Revs, 'Hobbit' Helps May 16, 5:56 p.m.
A big positive swing for MGM Holdings was seen in its first-quarter earning results, thanks to ...
Be the first to comment on "'Downton' Finishes Strong, Will New Season Air Earlier Than Usual?"
Leave a Comment