Gold Rush fans tuned in on Friday, October 13. In fact, so many fans tuned in that the season eight premiere set a ratings record.

Discovery Channel revealed more about the achievement in a press release. Check that out below.

“Discovery’s #1-rated show, GOLD RUSH hit the ratings motherload with its 2-hour Season 8 premiere on Friday, October 13. The Season 8 premiere was the #1 non-sports telecast on all of TV on Friday night – topping all broadcast programming – across M25-54, M18-49, and M18-34.

GOLD RUSH pushed Discovery to rank as the #1 non-sports network on all of TV in Friday Prime among M18-49 and M18-34, topping all the broadcasters. The network was also cable’s #1 non-sports network on the night across the board – all 25-54s, all 18-49s, all 18-34s, and Total Viewers. This is GOLD RUSH’s 3rd straight year ranking as cable’s #1 unscripted series across P25-54, M18-49 and P2+, and 4th straight year ranking #1 in M25-54. GOLD RUSH also ranks #3 on all of cable this year – including scripted – among M25-54, behind only The Walking Dead and Game of Thrones.

The one hour GOLD RUSH LIVE broadcast that aired prior to the Season 8 premiere topped the year-ago special leading into the Season 7 premiere across all 25-54s, all 18-49s, and Total Viewers (P25-54: +21%, 0.94 vs. 0.78). Also, GOLD RUSH LIVE ranked #2 on cable (excl. sports) for the night among M25-54.”

Did you watch the Gold Rush season eight premiere? Tell us what you think.