• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, April 13, 2010

HBO's heavily promoted series about New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina failed to hold much of its lead-in Sunday, but has already been renewed for a second season. The premiere of "Treme" was down 59% in total viewers from mini-series "The Pacific" that ran in the hour before it.

In "live plus same day" figures, the 10 p.m. debut of "Treme" drew 1.13 million viewers, below "Pacific," which drew 2.7 million.

"Treme," named after a neighborhood in the center of New Orleans, focuses on a variety of characters who returned to the city in 2005, three months after the storm, and have begun to rebuild. David Simon, who spearheaded HBO series "The Wire," is one of the co-creators.

HBO calculates viewers of an episode by adding in those who watched subsequent airings (or via video on demand), so its figures are higher than the 1.13 million. "Treme" re-aired Sunday two hours after the premiere ended.

Ratings are also less important for HBO as it decides whether to renew a show, since it doesn't rely on ad dollars. Potential DVD sales are also a factor.

"Treme" is unlikely to have more than niche appeal, although in a statement HBO's programming head Michael Lombardo touted its "artistry and intelligence."

In 2006, HBO drama "Big Love" -- which has been far from a breakout success -- debuted with 4.6 million viewers. And that came after a lead-in from "The Sopranos," which posted 9.5 million viewers that night for the premiere episode of its last season.

On Sunday, "Treme" drew 586,000 adults 18 to 49, down 56% from "Pacific," which reached 1.33 million. "Treme" ran about 80 minutes for its first show, with "Pacific" at 45.

The "Treme" premiere was HBO's third-highest performer in the 18-to-49 demo for the week, behind "Pacific" and film "I Love You, Man."

The critically acclaimed show will continue for another nine episodes. Another Katrina-oriented show, "K-Ville," did not last very long on Fox in 2007.

A tagline used in the widespread promotions for "Treme" was "Won't Bow, Don't Know How" -- in reference to the determination of the citizens of New Orleans after Katrina.

And the show will bow again. Season two is likely coming next spring.