TNT Wins Fourth Week in a Row, with "Major Crimes," "Rizzoli & Isles" and "The Last Ship" Leading the Pack
The Last Ship, Rizzoli & Isles and Falling Skies Rank among Basic Cable's
Top 5 Scripted Series This Summer with Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54
Time-Shifted Viewing Lifts Rizzoli & Isles to 8.1 Million Viewers in Live + 7,
Major Crimes to 7.1 Million and The Last Ship to 6.5 Million
TNT's Summer Originals are Delivering Double-Digit Growth over Last Summer
TNT's summer ratings dominance continued last week with its fourth consecutive win as basic cable's most-watched network in primetime. TNT's ongoing success has been fueled by its slate of hit summer dramas, including Major Crimes, Rizzoli & Isles and The Last Ship, which ranked as basic cable's Top 3 scripted programs for the week among total viewers and which continue to hold position as basic cable's Top 3 scripted series for the summer-to-date. Sunday night's episode of The Last Ship ranked as basic cable's #1 scripted original for the week among adults 18-49 and adults 25-54, solidifying its position as the summer's #1 scripted original on basic cable with key demos. The Last Ship, Major Crimes and Rizzoli & Isles also ranked basic cable's Top 3 scripted programs for the week among adults 25-54. For the summer-to-date, The Last Ship and Rizzoli & Isles are joined by the epic sci-fi Falling Skies in giving TNT three of basic cable's Top 5 scripted originals with adults 18-49. TNT also has all four of the Top 4 scripted originals with adults 25-54 and six of the Top 10 with total viewers for the summer-to-date.
In addition to their competitive success, TNT's powerhouse dramas are attracting huge audiences in time-shifted viewing. According to the latest data, Rizzoli & Isles drew 8.1 million viewers in Live + 7 delivery for its July 1 episode, while Major Crimes booked 7.1 million viewers in Live + 7 delivery for its June 30 episode, and The Last Ship grabbed 6.5 million viewers in Live + 7 for its July 6 episode. TNT's Perception garnered its biggest audience so far this season, with 5.1 million viewers in Live + 7 delivery for the July 1 episdode (+17% vs. the prior week). In addition, Falling Skies grabbed 4.8 million viewers for its July 6 episode, and Murder in the First brought in 4.2 million viewers with its June 30 episode.
TNT's dramas are also performing exceptionally well in Live + 3. Last Monday's episode of Major Crimes scored the show's best Live + 3 deliveries so far this season, with 7 million viewers in Live + 3 delivery (+4% vs. the prior week) and +3% growth among key demos. Also in Live + 3, the July 15 episode of Rizzoli & Isles has climbed to more than 7.1 million viewers, while the July 13 episode of The Last Ship has drawn 6.4 million viewers, a +5% boost over the prior week. In addition, the July 13 episode of Falling Skies has drawn 4.4 million viewers in Live + 3, while the July 14 episode of Murder in the First is up to 4.1 million viewers, and the July 15 episode of Perception has brought in 4 million viewers.
Collectively, this year's crop of summer originals are bringing in many more viewers to TNT than last summer. For the summer-to-date, the network's original series are averaging 5.8 million viewers in Live + 7 delivery, a +38% increase over the same time last year. Demo deliveries have grown by double-digit percentages, with this summer's TNT originals bringing in +20% more adults 25-54 and +13% more adults 18-49 than last summer.
With the latest data included, TNT now claims six of basic cable's Top 10 scripted series this summer, including the Top 3:
#1 Rizzoli & Isles: 7.0 million viewers for the summer-to-date (Live + 7 blended)
#2 Major Crimes: 6.3 million viewers
#3 The Last Ship: 5.9 million viewers
Falling Skies: 4.3 million viewers
Murder in the First: 4.0 million viewers
Perception: 3.9 million viewers
TNT is home to all four of basic cable's Top 4 scripted series this summer with adults 25-54:
#1 The Last Ship: 2.3 million adults 25-54 (Live + 7 blended)
#2 Rizzoli & Isles: 2.2 million adults 25-54
#3 Falling Skies: 2.0 million adults 25-54
#4 Major Crimes: 1.9 million adults 25-54
Among adults 18-49, TNT holds three of the Top 5 scripted series this summer, including the Top 2:
#1 The Last Ship: 1.9 million adults 18-49 (Live + 7 blended)
#2 Rizzoli & Isles: 1.8 million adults 18-49
Falling Skies: 1.7 million adults 18-49
On the unscripted front, TNT's Cold Justice continues to deliver strong growth over its winter episodes. Through the first three episodes this summer, the show is averaging 2.2 million viewers in Live + 3 delivery (+24% vs. winter average). In key demos, Cold Justice is showing growth of +15% among adults 25-54 and +3% among adults 18-49.
TNT's summer slate includes a total of nine scripted dramas, more than any other cable network ever. In addition to the six dramas that have already begun their summer runs, TNT will launch the eagerly anticipated undercover drama Legends, starring Sean Bean, on Aug. 13. That same night will mark the season four premiere of Franklin & Bash. And on Aug. 18, the Ewings will be back in all-new episodes of Dallas, which is currently in its third season.
About TNT
TNT is television's destination for drama. Seen in 101 million households and ranking among cable's top networks, TNT is home to such original drama series as Rizzoli & Isles, Major Crimes, Falling Skies, The Last Ship, Murder in the First, Perception, Dallas and Franklin & Bash. TNT's upcoming slate of original scripted dramas includes Legends, The Librarians, Public Morals, Proof and Transporter The Series, which will make its U.S. television debut on the network this fall. TNT also features such dramatic unscripted series as Cold Justice and the upcoming On the Menu and Wake Up Call. In addition, TNT is the cable home to popular dramas like Hawaii Five-0, Castle, The Mentalist, Bones and Supernatural; primetime specials, such as the Screen Actors Guild Awards(R); blockbuster movies; and championship sports coverage, including NASCAR, the NBA and the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship.
TNT is part of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company. Turner Broadcasting creates and programs branded news; entertainment; animation and young adult; and sports media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.
|