OWN's New Drama Series GREENLEAF Debuts as #1 Series Premiere in Network History

OWN: OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK shatters ratings records delivering its biggest series premiere in network history on Tuesday night (6/21/16). The series premiere of the network's new original drama series GREENLEAF (10 p.m.) from Lionsgate, delivered 3.043 million viewers and a 2.18 rating in W25-54, making it the #1 series debut in network history. Additionally, it was the #2 scripted cable debut in 2016 to date (behind "American Crime Story: The People Vs. O.J. Simpson").

The season premiere of popular Tyler Perry drama "The Haves and the Have Nots" (9 p.m.) delivered 2.9 million viewers and a 2.12 rating in W25-54. The episode built in every quarter hour, climbing +18% from beginning to end.

"Greenleaf" continues tonight with two new back-to-back episodes at 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET/PT. The series will regularly air on Wednesday nights at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

Source: The Nielsen Company

About "Greenleaf" The new original drama series from award-winning writer/producer Craig Wright ("Lost," "Six Feet Under"), executive producers Oprah Winfrey ("Selma") and Clement Virgo ("The Book of Negroes"), "Greenleaf" takes viewers into the unscrupulous world of the Greenleaf family and their sprawling Memphis megachurch, where scandalous SECRETS AND LIES are as numerous as the faithful. Born of the church, the Greenleaf family love and care for each other, but beneath the surface lies a den of iniquity -- greed, adultery, sibling rivalry and conflicting values -- that threatens to tear apart the very core of their faith that holds them together. "Greenleaf" stars Merle Dandridge ("The Night Shift") as Grace Greenleaf; Keith David ("Community") as Bishop James Greenleaf; Lynn Whitfield ("The Josephine Baker Story") as Lady Mae Greenleaf; Kim Hawthorne ("Rake") as Kerissa Greenleaf; Lamman Rucker ("Meet the Browns") as Jacob Greenleaf; Tye White ("The People v. O.J. Simpson: AMERICAN CRIME Story") as Kevin Satterlee; Deborah Joy Winans ("Whitney") as Charity Greenleaf-Satterlee; Desiree Ross ("Falling Skies") as Sophia; and Oprah Winfrey ("Selma") in a recurring role as Mavis McCready. "Greenleaf" is produced for OWN by Lionsgate.

About "The Haves and the Have Nots" From prolific producer Tyler Perry, the popular drama series "The Haves and the Have Nots" (Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT) portrays the ongoing drama between the wealthy Cryer and Harrington families and the poor Young family. The series stars John Schneider (Jim Cryer) and Tika Sumpter (Candace Young). "The Haves and the Have Nots" is created, written, directed and executive produced by Tyler Perry and produced for OWN by Tyler Perry Studios.

About OWN: OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK OWN: OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK is the first and only network named for, and inspired by, a single iconic leader. Oprah Winfrey's heart and creative instincts inform the brand - and the magnetism of the channel. Winfrey provides leadership in programming and attracts superstar talent to join her in primetime, building a global community of like-minded viewers and leading that community to connect on social media and beyond. OWN is a singular destination on cable. Depth with edge. Heart. Star power. Connection. And endless possibilities. OWN is a joint venture between Harpo, Inc. and Discovery Communications. The network debuted on January 1, 2011 and is available in 85 million homes.

Need more TV Theatre News in your life? Sign up for all the news on the Winter season, discounts & more...