'Empire' Finale Smashes Ratings Records

[big_dog]

Source: Ad Age: 2 hours ago

In one fell swoop, the sudsy musical drama "Empire" on Wednesday turned the broadcast TV universe on its ear. According to Nielsen live-plus-same-day ratings, the season finale of "Empire" didn't raise the roof so much as tear it off completely. The last hour of the two-part block averaged 17.6 million viewers and a 6.9 in the 18-to-49 demographic, making it the highest-rated episode of a broadcast drama to air in the last seven seasons.

To contextualize the demo, as each ratings point is equal to 1% of the total population of 18-to-49-year-olds who own TVs, the "Empire" finale drew 8.76 million members of the advertiser-coveted sub-phylum. The first of the two distinct episodes averaged 15.8 million viewers and a 6.1 in the demo. "Empire" kept its unprecedented streak of week-to-week growth alive, building on its total viewership base in each of the 11 episodes following its Jan. 7 series premiere. This feat hasn't been accomplished in the modern TV era, going back to when Nielsen introduced its "people meters" technology in 1991.

While most network shows now drop between 12% and 15% between the premiere and the second episode, and rarely come anywhere near their opening deliveries, "Empire" boasted steroidal growth throughout its freshman run. When compared to its premiere ratings (9.9 million viewers and a 3.8 in the demo), the finale soared by a factor of 78% and 82%, respectively. All told, Season 1 of "Empire" averaged 13 million viewers and a 5.1 in the demo. By way of comparison, the No. 2 broadcast drama, ABC's "Scandal," is averaging a 3.2 rating. The highest-rated freshman series, ABC's "How to Get Away with Murder," averaged a 3.0 in its inaugural run.

The last time a broadcast drama put up a bigger demo was during the 2008-09 season, when ABC's "Desperate Housewives" averaged a 5.2 rating. Many different factors contributed to the success of "Empire" -- the music, the gonzo storylines, the breakout character that is Taraji Henson's Cookie -- but its continual growth can be credited to a loyal, ever-expanding fan base and huge VOD deliveries. Per Nielsen, last week's episode drew in nearly three-quarters of all African-American women in the demo who were watching TV at the time, an astonishing achievement in an age of fragmentation.And newcomers to the "Empire" phenomenon clearly caught up at their leisure, as the show is the biggest draw on cable VOD packages.

Read more: http://adage.com/article/media/empire-finale-smashes-ratings-records/297681/

[yeoman6987]

1. Love love love this show!!!!

The only sad thing is that a 6.6 is celebrated today. friends, American Idol and Seinfeld used to get 30+ rating. that is how much viewership has fallen. Great job for Empire!!!!!!

[alphafemale]

11. It is very fun and has some astounding musical guest stars.

Terrance Howard and Tajira Henson are amazing olaying off of each other.

[Pharaoh]

2. Can I watch this online somewhere?

[msanthrope]

5. Hulu. nt

[Raine1967]

12. Here:

http://www.fox.com/empire/empire/full-episodes

[bluestateguy]

3. never seen it

what's the fuss over?

[christx30]

6. My wife watches it, and I've listened to it

out of one ear while on DU with you awesome people. I honestly can't see the draw. It's no different than any other night time soap.

[Wabbajack_]

35. Primetime soaps are a dying breed

This is the best one in I don't know how long

[jtuck004]

4. My life will go by without ever having seen this. And I will be better off. n/t

[workinclasszero]

7. I'll check it out when it hits netflix

If ever.

[Kelvin Mace]

8. Not really impressive at all

The last hour of the two-part block averaged 17.6 million viewers

Last episode of M*A*S*H - 105 million viewers
The Fugitive - 78 million
Seinfeld - 76 million
Star Trek: The Next Generation - 31 million

If memory serves, the original Star Trek pulled in around 30 million on average, falling to 24 million in its third season.

This shows ratings would put it in 38th place behind Major Dad

[alphafemale]

10. Completely different era. nt

[lib87]

14. Exactly. These Numbers Are Impressive for This Era

Overall TV viewer numbers have been dropping gradually due to other mediums to watch shows like laptops, cell phones and so on. Plus DVR too!

[alphafemale]

15. The word of mouth (or social media presence...rather)

Of this one was pretty damn amazing.

[lib87]

21. Very True

I am not a TV person so I had no plans on watching but I heard it was a good cast on social media so I tuned in. So glad I did.

[Vots]

13. ....

It's impressive considering that there's a lot less households that purchase cable tv. People are instead watching tv on Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, and other streaming apps. The majority of the 18-24 demographic don't watch scheduled programming cable now, which has not happened in decades. So when a show can average 17.6 million in 2015, that's really good.

[Blue_Tires]

29. A lot less channels to watch in those days, too

[Matterate]

9. Does it have any actors from The Wire?

That was an astounding cast.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

23. You know what show has a lot of cross over from The Wire?

The Walking Dead.

So far Seth Gilliam, Chad Coleman, and Lawrence Gillard, Jr. have all been featured characters on the show.

It's no coincidence, either.

http://www.businessinsider.com/the-walking-dead-the-wire-cast-2014-10

[muriel_volestrangler]

33. Maybe not, but I can give you Clarke Peters (Lester Freamon) as a backing singer

That's Clarke doing the deep bass 'oh give me love'.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarke_Peters#Career

[Little Tich]

16. I’ll have to give it a try.

People in my vicinity have been bugging me about this TV-series already, so I guess it’s time to give in to the peer pressure.

[Bigredhunk]

17. Never watched it. Probably never will.

Love Taraji Henson (she was great in "Smokin' Aces," for ex). Loathe Terrence "baby wipes" Howard. He makes the show a no go for me. It does get a lot of love & hype though.

[bravenak]

27. Glad I'm not the only one who don't like him.

I think I just remember him beating up his wife or girlfriend. She looked scared.

[romanic]

36. Baby Wipes!

LMAO, Terrance will never let that down huh? :lol

[KeepItReal]

18. That episode was a wild 2 hour roller coaster ride!

Incredible music. Having Timbaland as the musical producer on this series was a stroke of genius.

[elfin]

26. So where did they get rid of Vermom's body?

Killed him -- the number one witness against Luscious -- then no mention that I saw of his disposal.

Never thought I would get hooked on this show like I did. FUN.

"Cookie" must win the Emmy. Just must.

[KeepItReal]

30. Good question!

Becky is the only one that hasn't done someone dirty!! Haha!

I like Cookie + Derek Luke's character (nice twist).

[riobravo]

19. AWSOME!

[BumRushDaShow]

20. I expect this is historic

I have never watched it but have coworkers who have and hear much buzz about. What we are talking about is a "drama" on network with a predominantly black cast. There have been many many black comedies on television over the past 50 years, but few or no dramas on network (which doesn't count what is more recently airing on cable's TV One), and the one that I recall barely lasted a season and was considered too low-rated to continue (i.e., dramedy "Sonny Spoon&quot .

[VScott]

22. The writers/producers should create a charecter role for Azealia Banks

I wonder how that would affect the ratings?

[Bluenorthwest]

24. It's a great show, TV with music is a personal favorite of mine and Empire does it right.

It's not easy. I'm glad it's a hit.

[father founding]

25. maybe it's important to you, but

Who gives a flying fuck !

[kwassa]

32. evidently, millions give a flying fuck. Therefore, ratings.

You individually don't give a flying fuck. But, why should we give a fuck that you don't give a fuck?

Just asking.

[giftedgirl77]

28. Empire is the shit....

I watched the finale last night on hulu as I don't have cable but it is by far one of my top favorite shows. The older crowds may piss all over it bc of the hip/hop flavor of it but for me it's awesome.

[m-lekktor]

31. I am getting ready to binge watch the whole season in a few. nt

[muriel_volestrangler]

34. The USA watches a lot less TV than the UK, it seems

If the highest rated drama in the past 7 years gets 17.6 million viewers, in a country of 318.9 million people, compare that with the latest week's figures for UK dramas, population 64.1 million - almost exactly one fifth - all getting a larger proportion of the country:

Call the Midwife: 10.22 million
Poldark: 8.75 million
Eastenders (soap opera): 8.28 million (highest episode)
Coronation Street (soap opera): 7.58 million (highest episode)
Emmerdale (soap opera): 6.42 million (highest episode)
Casualty: 5.92 million
Arthur & George: 5.52 million
Holby City: 4.94 million
DCI Banks: 4.71 million
Banished: 4.43 million
The Musketeers: 4.05 million
Mr. Selfridge: 3.98 million

http://www.barb.co.uk/whats-new/weekly-top-30

High figures for drama are 12.7 million for Sherlock, last year.

[JonLP24]

38. What is the choice or competition like

variety?

I imagine probably about the same. I'd watch this show but with the internet, HBO GO & NBA League Pass streaming through the Playstation I don't ever watch anything else. The other night the connection wouldn't last for more than 5 seconds straight so I watched regular programming first time since the Super Bowl but when I saw Howard & Henson I knew it would be good or the acting anyways. I was making a mental reminder for next Wednesday at 8pm but at the end let me know it was the finale.

I think either way you slice it you're probably correct. I remember the 49ers were facing Seattle on Sunday Night, if not Seattle I remember it was a big game with high stakes. The rain delay & the game were two highest rated telecasts that Sunday Night. After that was Duck Dynasty who smoking all the non-sports programming and this was the same night as the Breaking Bad Series Finale. I have no idea why so many people watch Duck Dynasty but 49ers & the rain delay had about 23-25 million. Duck Dynasty had 17, Breaking Bad was in the a little over 10 range.

Though I don't know what this means in relation to what you said or who watches more TV in proportion but thought I'd should mention the option because outside of the NBA League Pass & HBO GO my viewing needs are more than satisfied. Especially watching Golden State or Atlanta in locally broadcast (nationally broadcast or the Suns I have to wait to after the game, I have to wait longer for the Suns games though)

[JonLP24]

37. Tiraji P Henson is terrific in everything she does

First time I ever saw was in Baby Boy. John Singleton originally created the film with Tupac in-mind for the lead male but scrapped it after he was murdered but eventually moved with Tyrese I'm not really sure he played the part as it was written as well but she was cast perfectly, I recognized her talent and have been on the lookout since. A made for TV Lifetime movie was excellent with her cast in it.

I accidentally caught the finale but Terrence Howard & her is guaranteed to be good. I want to so badly watch Person in Interest from beginning to end, I don't bother to catch episodes if it is even still on the air because I missed so much. She was like one of the only cops not corrupt and I see her wearing a uniform, "If the system worked do you think I'd be wearing this right now?" when I saw that scene I knew I missed way too much.