Highest Ever Original Episode Airing for AMC
Multiplatform Success on Digital Growth and iTunes
New York, NY – August 17, 2009 – Kicking-off Season 3 with a live screening in Times Square, the premiere of AMC’s "Mad Men" attracted nearly four million viewers across its 10 pm, 11 pm and 1 am telecasts, according to Nielsen live+same day Fast Nationals. This marks a 25% growth from season two’s premiere night cumulative audience.
Following are the key points:
- Last night’s season three premiere of "Mad Men" scored a 3.1 HH rating with almost 4 million viewers live same day (Nielsen live+same day Fast Nationals gross audience)
- The 10 pm airing drew a 2.1 HH rating with 2.8 million total viewers, increasing its audience over 34% from over season two’s premiere episode (1.7 HH rating, 2.1 million total viewers; 10 pm premiere telecast 7/27/2008)
- Versus season two average for 10 pm premieres, the season three 10 pm premiere shot up 84% in total viewers (2.8 million vs. 1.5 million)
- Last night’s premiere also delivered significant double digit increases across all demos compared to season two, highlights include Adult 25-54 for an increase of 37% (1.4 million vs. 1 million) and Men 25-54 for an increase of 45% (658K verses 352K)
- Mad Men posted historic gains online, generating more than 1.5 million page views on premiere day, a 273% increase over season two premiere, and 700,000 Mad Men Yourself avatar downloads
- As of August 17, Mad Men seasons one, two, and three dominate the top positions on the iTunes chart, with Season 3 premiere episode the top episode for sale, and the entire Season 3 the top season for sale
- In its first two seasons, "Mad Men" was the most upscale show on cable television, with half of Adult 25-54 viewers earning HH incomes over $100.0K
Heading into this year’s Emmys, "Mad Men" reigns as the most nominated drama on television. Created, written and executive produced by Matthew Weiner (The Sopranos), "Mad Men" has recently received 16 Emmy nominations – the most for any drama series – including Outstanding Drama, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama (Jon Hamm), Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama (John Slattery), and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama (Elisabeth Moss). Lionsgate, the leading independent filmed entertainment studio, produces the series in association with AMC.
Set in early 1960s New York, "Mad Men" follows the lives of the ruthlessly competitive men and women of Madison Avenue advertising. The winner of two Golden Globes and a Peabody Award, "Mad Men" debuted in July 2007 and has gone on to win multiple Emmy® Awards, including the Emmy® for Outstanding Drama Series, a first for a basic cable series. It is also the only basic cable series to win the Golden Globe Award two years in a row (2007 and 2008) for Best Television Series-Drama and was the recipient of a Peabody Award in 2008.
About AMC
AMC – the most Emmy®-winning basic cable network of 2008 – reigns as the only basic cable network to win back-to-back Golden Globes® for Best Television Series – Drama and boasts a comprehensive library of the most entertaining movies of all time. Whether commemorating favorite films from every genre and decade or creating acclaimed original productions, the AMC experience is an uncompromising celebration of great stories. AMC’s original stories include the Emmy® Award-winning dramas Mad Men and Breaking Bad, the upcoming miniseries The Prisoner and insightful non-scripted programming such as AMC Storymakers and AMC News. AMC further demonstrates its commitment to the art of storytelling with curated movie franchises like AMC Hollywood Icon and AMC Complete Collection. Available in more than 94 million homes (Source: Nielsen Media Research), AMC is a subsidiary of Rainbow Media Holdings LLC, which includes sister networks IFC, Sundance Channel and WE tv. AMC is available across all platforms including on-air, online, on demand and mobile. AMC: Story Matters HereSM.