Masterpiece Classic’s 'Downton Abbey, Season 2' a Breakout Hit
Written by Bob Suggs Monday, 27 February 2012 10:28
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Dan Stevens and Michelle Dockery Credit: © Carnival Film & Television Limited 2011 for MASTERPIECEPensacola, Fla. — WSRE, PBS for the Gulf Coast, announced today that the conclusion of MASTERPIECE CLASSIC’s breakout hit “Downton Abbey, Season 2” captivated an average audience of 5.4 million viewers across the U.S., not including those viewing through station replays, DVRs or online streaming (Nielsen Fast National data, 3.5 household rating). Along the Gulf Coast, it is estimated that thousands of viewers tuned in during the seven weeks of the series based on viewer feedback (Nielsen ratings information will not be known locally for a couple of months as ratings are being tallied due to being in a diary market). Nationally, the finale’s overnight rating is the highest for a PBS program since the premiere of Ken Burns’s NATIONAL PARKS in September 2009. “Downton Abbey, Season 2,” a Carnival/Masterpiece co-production, consistently drew an audience more than double the PBS primetime average. It exceeded the average rating of the first season of “Downton Abbey” by 25 percent (based on U.S. metered market averages).
“We are thrilled with initial feedback from viewers. It is a great way for us to get back in front of viewers and to help them explore all of our other great programming available every night on WSRE,” said WSRE General Manager Sandy Cesaretti Ray. Locally, WSRE satisfied viewers’ craving for all things “Downton” with activities including extended community conversations via their social media channels.
“PBS and our member stations are so pleased that such a large audience is enjoying this great work from MASTERPIECE,” said PBS president and CEO Paula Kerger. “From viewing parties to Twitter mentions, ‘Downton Abbey’ is riding a wave of public enthusiasm, and it’s been wonderful to see so many people discovering public television as a destination for programming that’s smart, distinctive and entertaining.”
“‘Downton Abbey’ has become a cultural phenomenon,” said WGBH MASTERPIECE executive producer Rebecca Eaton. “It is so gratifying to see our beloved MASTERPIECE, after more than 40 years on PBS, attracting a whole new audience.”
PBS and MASTERPIECE hosted live Twitter discussions with a number of special guests, including actor/comedian Patton Oswalt, which contributed to 20,000-30,000 messages on Twitter each Sunday broadcast. The conversation continued to generate 6,000-7,000 tweets daily leading to the subsequent episodes.
Additionally, “Downton Abbey” is drawing a considerably younger audience than the 2010-2011 MASTERPIECE season average. By midway through the second season, female viewers 18-34 were up 251 percent and women 35-49 were up 145 percent. Male viewership in 18-34 and 35-49 has also increased 111 and 84 percent, respectively. The teen audience has grown 88 percent.
“Downton Abbey” is a Carnival/Masterpiece co-production.
About WSRE, PBS for the Gulf Coast
WSRE is a PBS member station that is locally owned and licensed to the Pensacola State College Board of Trustees operating as a service of Pensacola State College. The public broadcasting station has been serving the needs of the Gulf Coast community through programming, educational services and outreach since 1967. WSRE produces, acquires and distributes programs that address local interests and reflect the diverse cultural, political, geographic and demographic characteristics of its audience. The Educational Services unit for WSRE serves as the connection to teachers, parents, caregivers and children to extend the rich resources found in public television. For more information about WSRE, its services, programs or available resources, visit wsre.org.
About MASTERPIECE
MASTERPIECE on PBS is presented by WGBH Boston. Rebecca Eaton is executive producer. Funding for MASTERPIECE is provided by Viking River Cruises, with additional support from public television viewers and contributors to The MASTERPIECE Trust, created to help ensure the series’ future.
About WGBH
WGBH Boston is America’s preeminent public broadcaster and the largest producer of PBS content for TV and the Web, including Masterpiece, Antiques Roadshow, Frontline, Nova, American Experience, Arthur, Curious George, and more than a dozen other prime-time, lifestyle, and children’s series. WGBH also is a leader in educational multimedia, including PBS LearningMedia, and a pioneer in technologies and services that make media accessible to the 36 million Americans who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or visually impaired. WGBH has been recognized with hundreds of honors: Emmys, Peabodys, duPont-Columbia Awards…even two Oscars. Find more information at www.wgbh.org.
About PBS
PBS, with its nearly 360 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and online content. Each month, PBS reaches nearly 123 million people through television and more than 21 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS’ broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry’s most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. PBS’ premier children’s TV programming and its website, pbskids.org, are parents’ and teachers’ most trusted partners in inspiring and nurturing curiosity and love of learning in children. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the Internet, or by following PBS on Twitter, Facebook or through our apps for mobile devices. Specific program information and updates for press are available at pbs.org/pressroom or by following PBS Pressroom on Twitter.
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Pensacola, Fla. — WSRE, PBS for the Gulf Coast, announced today that the conclusion of MASTERPIECE CLASSIC’s breakout hit “Downton Abbey, Season 2” captivated an average audience of 5.4...
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