TNT says that 7.3 million viewers tuned in to watch the two-hour series premiere of The Librarians last night (which includes the first airing and the encore). According to the cable channel this was the most-watched cable debut of this year.

Here’s the press release:

7.3 Million Viewers Check Out TNT’s The Librarians

Fantasy-Adventure Series Scores Cable’s #1 New Series Launch for the Year-to-Date, With 5.4 Million Viewers for Two-Hour Premiere

TNT’s new series The Librarians scored a huge launch Sunday night, drawing a combined audience of 7.3 million viewers in Live + Same Day delivery for its two-hour premiere and encore. The fantasy-adventure series opened with 5.4 million viewers for its 8-10 p.m. premiere telecast, edging out TNT’s The Last Ship to become cable’s #1 new series launch for the year-to-date in Live + Same Day delivery.

The Librarians did especially well among key demos, with a total of 2.9 million adults 25-54 for the premiere and encore (2.1 million for the 8-10 p.m. premiere) and 2.3 million adults 18-49 (1.6 million for the premiere). The premiere telecast now ranks as cable’s #1 new series launch for the year-to-date in Live + Same Day delivery of adults 25-54 and one of the Top 3 new series launches with adults 18-49.

With its exceptional premiere performance, The Librarians is on track to join TNT’s Rizzoli & Isles, The Last Ship, Major Crimes, Murder in the First and Falling Skies in giving TNT six of basic cable’s Top 10 scripted series for the year-to-date, more than any other network. It is also well positioned to rank among the top scripted series of 2014 with key demos.

Based on TNT’s hit movie franchise, The Librarians centers on an ancient organization hidden beneath the Metropolitan Public Library dedicated to protecting an unknowing world from the secret, magical reality hidden all around. Rebecca Romijn (X-Men), Christian Kane (TNT’s Leverage, Angel), Lindy Booth (Dawn of the Dead, The Philanthropist) and John Kim (Neighbors, The Pacific) star in the series as the newest protectors of the world’s mystical treasures, with Emmy® winner John Larroquette (Night Court, Deception) as their reluctant caretaker. Noah Wyle (Falling Skies, ER) recurs as Flynn Carsen, the role he played in TNT’s movie trilogy. Also reprising their roles from the movies are guest stars Bob Newhart (The Big Bang Theory, The Bob Newhart Show) and Jane Curtin (Kate & Allie, 3rd Rock from the Sun).

New episodes of The Librarians premiere on TNT Sundays at 8 p.m. (ET/PT). The series is produced by Electric Entertainment, with executive producers Dean Devlin, John Rogers, Marc Roskin and Noah Wyle.

About Electric Entertainment
Electric Entertainment is a full service film, television, and new media production company and studio headed by veteran producer Dean Devlin along with Marc Roskin and Rachel Olschan. Along with Bryan Singer’s Bad Hat Harry production company, Electric produced SyFy Channel’s The Triangle, which won an Emmy® for its Visual Effects, and was the highest-rated mini-series on the cable channel since Steven Spielberg Presents TAKEN (2002). Electric’s recent film projects include MGM’s Flyboys and Sony Picture Classics’ politically-charged documentary Who Killed the Electric Car?, which was nominated by the Broadcast Film Critics Association for Best Documentary Feature.

Electric launched Electric Visual Effects (EFX), its in-house effects arm, allowing the filmmakers they work with to stretch their dollars way beyond traditional effects budget boundaries. The EFX crew has been assembled from industry veterans Devlin had previously collaborated with on his global box-office hits, including Independence Day, Godzilla, The Patriot and Eight Legged Freaks. EFX is headed by veteran visual effects producer Mark Franco, whose career spans over 25 years and includes productions such as Titanic, Batman & Robin, Armageddon and How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Electric recently launched its international theatrical film and television sales and acquisitions division, which is headed by Sonia Mehandjiyska. Current titles include John Slattery’s God’s Pocket, the Terrence Malick-produced The Better Angels, and SXSW Award-winners Before I Disappear and Kelly & Cal.

Devlin is currently in production on his feature directorial debut, Warner Bros.’ Geostorm, which he is producing with Skydance Pictures’ David Ellison and Dana Goldberg and his Electric Entertainment team of Marc Roskin and Rachel Olschan.Ellison and Dana Goldberg and his Electric Entertainment team of Marc Roskin and Rachel Olschan.

About TNT
TNT is television’s destination for drama. Seen in 101 million households and ranking among cable’s top networks, TNT is home to such original drama series as Rizzoli & Isles, Major Crimes, Falling Skies, The Last Ship, Murder in the First, Legends, The Librarians and the international hit Transporter The Series. TNT’s upcoming slate of original scripted dramas includes Public Morals, Proof and Agent X. TNT also features such dramatic unscripted series as Cold Justice, On the Menu and the upcoming Wake Up Call. In addition, TNT is the cable home to popular dramas like Castle, Bones, Supernatural and Grimm, which joins the lineup in early 2015; primetime specials, such as the Screen Actors Guild Awards®; blockbuster movies; and championship sports coverage, including the NBA and the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship.

TNT is part of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company. Turner Broadcasting creates and programs branded news; entertainment; kids and young adult; and sports media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.

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