Season Five Premiere is Most Watched MAD MEN Episode Ever

Last night, AMC debuted season five of MAD MEN with a two-hour premiere, which resulted in record ratings making it the most watched episode ever from the series. From 9pm-11pm EST, the network attracted a 2.5 HH rating delivering 3.5 million viewers. This marks a +21% growth from season four's premiere. Among the core demo of Adults 25-54, "Mad Men" delivered 1.7 million marking an increase of +17% versus the season four premiere. "Mad Men" airs on AMC Sunday nights at 10pm ET/PT.

"Almost five years ago, with a focus on distinction and quality, AMC launched 'Mad Men' as the first series in its commitment to original scripted dramatic television. 'Mad Men' is the only cable drama to ever win the Emmy award for outstanding drama series four years in a row and the Golden Globe for best television drama series for three years in a row. 'Mad Men' set the bar high and we are incredibly proud that it continues to engage audiences looking for unexpected, unconventional and uncompromising television," said Charlie Collier, AMC's president. "For each of the five 'Mad Men' seasons Matthew Weiner and his team have crafted a beautifully told story and each season a larger audience has responded; a rare accomplishment. We couldn't be more proud of this program, the brilliant writers, cast and crew, and the entire team on each side of the camera."

Key Nielsen Highlights for the season five premiere of "Mad Men":

· 9pm airing - 2.5 HH rating with 3.5 million viewers: +9%/+21% vs. Season 4 Premiere

· 9pm airing - 1.6 million Adults 18-49: +30% vs Season 4 Premiere

· 9pm airing - 1.7 million Adults 25-54: +17% vs Season 4 Premiere

· 9 pm, 11:00 pm airings cumed to 4.4 million viewers

Source: Nielsen, L+SD 3/25/2012 vs S4 premiere 7/25/2010.

Created by Emmy(R) and Golden Globe(R) winner Matthew Weiner and produced by Lionsgate, "Mad Men" made history last September as the first basic cable series ever to win the Emmy(R) for Outstanding Drama Series in four consecutive years. Set in 1960s New York, "Mad Men" is a sexy and provocative drama that follows the lives of the ruthlessly competitive men and women of Madison Avenue advertising. The season premiere episode is also available on amctv.com.

About AMC

AMC reigns as the only cable network in history to ever win the Emmy(R) Award for Outstanding Drama Series four years in a row, as well as the Golden Globe(R) Award for Best Television Series - Drama for three consecutive years. Whether commemorating favorite films from every genre and decade or creating acclaimed original programming, the AMC experience is an uncompromising celebration of great stories. AMC's original stories include "Mad Men," "Breaking Bad," "The Walking Dead," "The Killing" and "Hell on Wheels." AMC further demonstrates its commitment to the art of storytelling with its slate of unscripted original series, as well as curated movie franchises like AMC's Can't Get Enough and AMC's Crazy About. Available in more than 97 million homes (Source: Nielsen Media Research), AMC is owned and operated by AMC Networks Inc. and its sister networks include IFC, Sundance Channel and WE tv. AMC is available across all platforms, including on-air, online, on demand and mobile. AMC: Story Matters HereSM.

About Lionsgate Television

Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF) is a leading global entertainment company with a strong and diversified presence in motion picture production and distribution, television programming and syndication, home entertainment, family entertainment, digital distribution and new channel platforms. The Company has built a strong television presence in production of prime time cable and broadcast network series, distribution and syndication of programming through Debmar-Mercury and an array of channel assets. Lionsgate currently has 15 shows on more than 10 networks spanning its prime time production, distribution and syndication businesses, including such critically-acclaimed hits as the multiple Emmy Award-winning "Mad Men," "Weeds," "Nurse Jackie" and "Boss," as well as the syndication successes "Tyler Perry's House Of Payne," its spin off "Meet The Browns," "Tyler Perry's For Better or Worse," "The Wendy Williams Show," "Are We There Yet?" and the upcoming "Anger Management."

To post a comment, you must register and login.