'Leverage' and 'Dark Blue' Get Off to Good Start
TNT's successful three-night strategy of original programming continues with 3.9 million viewers tuning in to the season premiere of "Leverage" and 3.5 million for the series premiere of "Dark Blue."
July 16, 2009
Last night, TNT launched its third successful night of original programming as 3.9 million viewers tuned in for the second-season premiere of "Leverage," from executive producer Dean Devlin and starring Oscar winner Timothy Hutton, and 3.5 million viewers watched "Dark Blue," the new series from executive producer Jerry Bruckheimer and featuring Golden Globe winner Dylan McDermott. "Leverage" also outdelivered its first-season average among viewers and households.
The success of TNT's Wednesday night lineup is the latest step in the network's plan to create three nights of outstanding original programming, which this week was watched by a combined 23.5 million viewers. TNT's Monday night original series lineup features "The Closer" and "Raising the Bar," while Tuesday night pairs "Hawthorne" with "Saving Grace."
"Last year, we laid out a strategy to create three nights of high-quality, original programming on TNT," said Michael Wright, executive vice president, head of programming for TNT, TBS and Turner Classic Movies (TCM). "The success of "Leverage" and "Dark Blue" proves once again what can happen when you work with the very best talent in the industry."
Last night's second-season premiere of "Leverage" was watched by 3,890,000 viewers and 2,724,000 households. It also scored a 2.8 coverage household rating/2.4 national household rating. The episode outdelivered its first-season Live + Same Day average, with viewers up 24% and households up 20%. It also elevated TNT's Wednesday 9-10 p.m. time period over the same night last year, with viewers up 113% and households up 70%.
"Dark Blue" continued the success of its "Leverage" lead-in by delivering 3,542,000 viewers and 2,717,000 households. It also garnered a 2.8 coverage household rating/2.4 national household rating. When compared to the same night last year, "Dark Blue" raised TNT's Wednesday 10-11 p.m. time period deliveries by 129% among viewers and 104% among households.
On Mondays, TNT's "The Closer" continues to rank as ad-supported cable's #1 series, averaging 6.5 million viewers and 4.8 million households for its fifth season. The second season of "Raising the Bar" has been the #1 entertainment program in its time slot among viewers (3.3 million, +7% vs. last season) and households (2.6 million, +5% vs. last season).
TNT's successful Tuesday night lineup of originals kicks off with "Hawthorne," which in its first season is averaging 3.3 million viewers and 2.6 million households. "Hawthorne" is followed by "Saving Grace," which is averaging 3 million viewers and 2.3 million households in its third season.
The success of TNT's Wednesday night lineup is the latest step in the network's plan to create three nights of outstanding original programming, which this week was watched by a combined 23.5 million viewers. TNT's Monday night original series lineup features "The Closer" and "Raising the Bar," while Tuesday night pairs "Hawthorne" with "Saving Grace."
"Last year, we laid out a strategy to create three nights of high-quality, original programming on TNT," said Michael Wright, executive vice president, head of programming for TNT, TBS and Turner Classic Movies (TCM). "The success of "Leverage" and "Dark Blue" proves once again what can happen when you work with the very best talent in the industry."
Last night's second-season premiere of "Leverage" was watched by 3,890,000 viewers and 2,724,000 households. It also scored a 2.8 coverage household rating/2.4 national household rating. The episode outdelivered its first-season Live + Same Day average, with viewers up 24% and households up 20%. It also elevated TNT's Wednesday 9-10 p.m. time period over the same night last year, with viewers up 113% and households up 70%.
"Dark Blue" continued the success of its "Leverage" lead-in by delivering 3,542,000 viewers and 2,717,000 households. It also garnered a 2.8 coverage household rating/2.4 national household rating. When compared to the same night last year, "Dark Blue" raised TNT's Wednesday 10-11 p.m. time period deliveries by 129% among viewers and 104% among households.
On Mondays, TNT's "The Closer" continues to rank as ad-supported cable's #1 series, averaging 6.5 million viewers and 4.8 million households for its fifth season. The second season of "Raising the Bar" has been the #1 entertainment program in its time slot among viewers (3.3 million, +7% vs. last season) and households (2.6 million, +5% vs. last season).
TNT's successful Tuesday night lineup of originals kicks off with "Hawthorne," which in its first season is averaging 3.3 million viewers and 2.6 million households. "Hawthorne" is followed by "Saving Grace," which is averaging 3 million viewers and 2.3 million households in its third season.
Recurring & Guests