FX's 'American Horror Story' Has Strong Premiere

American Horror Story, FX's new original drama series, got off to a strong start on Wednesday with the premiere night delivering just over 5 million Total Viewers and 3.2 million Adults 18-49.

The premiere telecast of American Horror Story (10-11:10PM) posted 3.2 million Total Viewers and 2.0 million Adults 18-49, which was equal to the demo rating of the series debut of Nip/Tuck, and +33% higher than Sons of Anarchy (1.5 million) the two most-watched series ever for FX. The first encore telecast of AHS (11:11PM-12:21AM) added 1.4 million Total Viewers and 906,000 Adults 18-49, and the second encore (1:22-2:22A) added 438,000 Total Viewers and 280,000 Adults 18-49.

"We're really thrilled by the premiere ratings performance of American Horror Story," said John Landgraf, President and General Manager, FX Networks. "We know that when the Live+7 ratings come in, that of the 13 drama series FX has premiered, AHS will rank at least number two all-time in Adults 18-49 behind The Shield, and there is a possibility that it could be our highest ever."

"We're equally thrilled by the response to last night's episode on social media, which was unanimously positive and demonstrated that the audience loved the show as much as we do."

Compared to FX's primetime (CY 2011), the premiere telecast of AHS was +167% stronger in Adults 18-49 and +126% stronger in Total Viewers. Among Adults 18-49, the gender split was 54% female (1.1 million) and 46% male (946,000).

American Horror Story revolves around the Harmons, a family of three who moved from Boston to Los Angeles as a means to reconcile past anguish. The all-star cast features Dylan McDermott as "Ben Harmon," a psychiatrist; Connie Britton as "Vivien Harmon," Ben's wife; Taissa Farmiga as "Violet," the Harmon's teenage daughter; Jessica Lange in her first-ever regular series TV role as "Constance," the Harmon's neighbor; Evan Peters plays "Tate Langdon," one of Ben's patients; and Denis O'Hare as "Larry Harvey." Guest stars for the series include Frances Conroy as the Harmon's housekeeper; Alexandra Breckenridge as the Harmon's housekeeper; and Jamie Brewer as Constance's daughter.

In next week's second episode, "Home Invasion" (Airs October 12, 10pm E/P) Vivien (Connie Britton) and Violet (Taissa Farmiga) find themselves in a dangerous situation eerily similar to a past event. Ben (Dylan McDermott) goes back to Boston to fix a mistake. Written by Ryan Murphy & Brad Falchuk. Directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon.

The pilot episode (which receives an additional encore run at midnight e/p on Oct. 12th) of American Horror Story, shot in Los Angeles, was written by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk, and it was directed by Murphy. In addition to Murphy and Falchuk, Dante Di Loreto will also serve as Executive Producer of the series. American Horror Story is produced by Twentieth Century Fox Television.

FX is the flagship general entertainment basic cable network from the Fox Networks Group. Launched in June of 1994, FX is carried in more than 98 million homes. The diverse schedule includes a growing roster of critically acclaimed and award-winning original series, an established film library with box-office hits from 20th Century Fox and other studios and an impressive roster of acquired hit series. For more information about FX, visit our web site at www.FXnetworks.com.

SOURCE: The Nielsen Company, Fast Nationals, Live+Same Day, 10/5/11, (Subject to Change)

 

 

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