LOS ANGELES, CA—Lifetime's new one-hour comedic drama series, "Drop Dead Diva," became the Network's highest-rated original drama series debut across key demographics since the June 3, 2007, launch of the hit drama "Army Wives." The July 12, 2009, premiere of "Drop Dead Diva" averaged a 1.6 rating, a 148% increase from the 9:00 PM time period's prior four-week average, among the highly coveted advertiser demographic of Women 18-49 and a 1.9 among Women 25-54, a 158% increase from the prior four week average. In Households, "Drop Dead Diva" scored a 2.2 rating, up 103% from the prior four week time period and averaged more than 2.8 million total viewers, a 129% jump from the prior same four weeks.

The 2007 debut episode of "Army Wives" secured a 2.1 rating in Women 18-49 rating, 2.3 in Women 25-54 and 2.8 Household rating, averaging over 3.4 million total viewers. The show is the highest rated series in Lifetime history, and one of the top rated dramas for women on basic cable. Last Sunday's July 5 episode of "Army Wives" was the number two rated telecast among all basic cable in Women 18-49 for that week.



Last night's episode of "Army Wives," which followed "Drop Dead Diva's" premiere at 10:00 PM delivered a 2.3 rating in Women 18-49, up 7% from its season-to-date average and generated a 2.7 rating in Women 25-54, the highest in that demo this season, up 12% from its season-to-date average. "Army Wives" earned a 3.0 Household rating, up 4% from the season-to-date average and drew more 3.8 million total viewers, up 11% from its season-to-date average.