The Ewings are back — in a big way. The two-hour premiere of TNT’s new Dallas TV series drew big numbers — an average of 6.86 million total viewers with a 1.5 rating in the 18-49 demographic. It was the most-watched program of the night — beating everything else on cable and the broadcast networks.
Dallas had the best demo ratings on cable and was tied for second place with some of the broadcast network fare. FOX’s So You Think You can Dance drew a 2.5 rating and a repeat of CSI on CBS also drew a 1.5 rating.
Here’s the press release from TNT:
TNT’s “Dallas” Rides Tall with 6.9 Million Viewers
Last night’s eagerly anticipated premiere of TNT’s Dallas struck it rich with 6,863,000 viewers, to rank as the #1 scripted series premiere on all of cable for the year-to-date. This marks the third consecutive summer TNT has scored a chart-topping series launch, following Rizzoli & Isles in 2010 and Falling Skies in 2011.
Competitively, TNT was #1 for the night among basic cable networks, with a 3.7 metered-market household rating. Dallas also outperformed all broadcast network programs head-to-head from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. On the demo front, Dallas drew 1,926,000 adults 18-49 and 2,482,000 adults 25-54.
About TNT’s Dallas
The one and only Dallas is back with more great drama. J.R., Bobby and Sue Ellen Ewing return to Southfork with their arsenal of secrets, schemes and betrayals. This time, they’re joined by the next generation of Ewings, who take ambition and deception to a new level. The battle for power, love and Southfork erupts in the new Dallas on TNT, airing Wednesdays at 9 p.m. (ET/PT). The exciting drama stars Josh Henderson as John Ross, the son of J.R. and Sue Ellen Ewing; Jesse Metcalfe as Christopher, Bobby’s adopted son; Jordana Brewster as Elena Ramos, John Ross’ girlfriend; Julie Gonzalo as Rebecca Sutter, Christopher’s fiancee; and Brenda Strong as Bobby’s wife, Ann. They are joined by the original series’ iconic stars: Patrick Duffy as Bobby Ewing, Linda Gray as Sue Ellen Ewing and Larry Hagman as J.R. Ewing. Shot on location in the title city, Dallas comes to TNT from Warner Horizon Television, with pilot writer Cynthia Cidre and Michael M. Robin serving as executive producers. TNT’s Dallas is based upon the series created by David Jacobs.
About TNT
TNT, one of cable’s top-rated networks, is television’s destination for drama. Seen in 99 million households, TNT is home to such original drama series as The Closer, Rizzoli & Isles, Dallas, Falling Skies, Franklin & Bash, Leverage, Southland and the upcoming Major Crimes, Perception and Monday Mornings. The network also features dramatic unscripted originals like this summer’s The Great Escape and the upcoming Boston Blue (w.t.) and 72 Hours (w.t.). In addition, TNT is the cable home to popular dramas like The Mentalist, Bones, Supernatural, Las Vegas, Law & Order and Castle, which starts this year; 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.
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.
What do you think? Are you surprised that the new Dallas premiere did as well as it did? How well do you think the rest of this season’s episodes will perform?
I have been counting down to the premier
Alright, I watched it. I admit. I was not expecting to like it and I didn’t like it. I LOVED IT! I am 35 and remember watching it with my mom and dad. It was a food show up until the last two season. I did not expect this to be good and I was very wrong. It is soooo fast paced and it blends the classic characters like Bobby, SueEllen and J.R. with the newer ones like John Ross, Ann and Elena. It was nice to see it be a cast of ALL ages. And the worked perfectly together.… Read more »
I’m kind of like you in that I really didn’t expect it to be that awesome. I too was completely overwhelmed by how good it was and by how much it seemed like the original Dallas. I also am hoping Victoria Principle comes back. I don’t care if she is a little ‘snooty’, every soap needs some of that so please come back Pam. And I too loved looking at Jessie Metcalfe and thought as you did that some of his dialougue could have been given another take. But overall, I think he’s a good actor and hope he stays… Read more »
This show was great! I loved watching it and I never really saw the original Dallas from the 80’s. I gave it a chance and I was pleasantly surprised. I believe I found my new “Desperate Housewives” with Dallas. Has some hot eye candy in Josh Henderson too.
FINALLY, something great to watch on TV! Thank you TNT for bring back the Ewings! I loved the first show and loved the 2 hour premier of the new one. Lots of great schemes and plots with the original characters and the young characters are good too. I’m so glad Dallas is back! It was getting to the point where I wasn’t even watching TV anymore with all the “reality” tv garbage. Thank you TNT!
DALLAS is back….and i love it..!!!!! the fun just started..
I loved the original series and am loving the new one. . . . .I remember watching it with my mom who love Bobby lol
bobby was the best….
Love the show. Thank you TNT for putting something good on television. I will continue to watch the show.
me too….first episode was really good..don’t ypu think???
It was outstanding!!!!!
At first I was a little bored, until JR decided to come alive. The JR smile, laugh and of course the surprising ending brought me back to the 80’s. The young Ewings are very good, especially John Ross, he is definitely JR’s son.
Can’t wait until next Wednesday!!!!!
Mark
Here is a teaser…Knots Landing anyone…
Is the Cynthia and the EP’s for another project. hehehe
Welcome Back DALLAS…it has been long overdue.
John Ross is as a mean as his Daddy!!!! Sue Ellen looked great, and JR is as nasty as ever.
Welcome home and congrats to the production team for bring this show back.
YEEEEE HAWWW !!! Dallas is back with all the family feuds, deceiptfulness and competive spirit that the original show enticed us with. I was so excited to see Larry, Patrick and Linda back, as well as the new crop of Ewings at Southfork. It was nice to see some of the other orig. cast members doing walk-ons. Hope to see more of them on future episodes. It’s a winner right out of the gate! Hats off to TNT and all the best to the entire cast and crew for a LONG run! I’m not in your 18-49 demographic but I… Read more »
Dallas,” BIG “not even suprise! just imagine if it were on regular T.V the numbers would be huge !!!!!!!!
I remember hearing the themesong as a child until young adult years as well as hearing my mom yelling and laughing at the TV when Dallas was on. I never understood her hype but always remembered people saying ‘who shot JR’ around the time I first heard the word ‘cliffhanger’. I never watched the show then but recognized the characters and even recognized them when Fran Drescher portrayed the characters on The Nanny. I happen to see a preview this week so I set my DVR to record and simply forgot. Home early yesterday (friday, 15 June 2012 and as… Read more »
I am far too young to be part of the first Dallas, but this series has me hooked. I genuinely hope the series continues earning strong ratings.
No I’m not surprised. The story line has always been the best and now with John Ross and Christopher grown up and hunks it will be even better. I just hope it can go another 10 years or more and Larry Hagman and Patrick Duffy can stay on the show for many years due to their age. I can watch Dallas new story lines for many years to come. Thank god they brought it back. Screw CBS. I still refuse to watch CBS on Friday between 9 and 11 PM: