And again outdid NBC’s The Listener!
The second episode of USA’s Royal Pains actually improved on its debut, growing in both the P18-49 and P25-54 demographics. That is a first for a scripted show on USA.
Royal Pains drew 2.35 million viewers 18-49 Thursday, up 2% from last week, and 2.6 million P25-54, up 3%. The episode drew 5.6 million total viewers, on par with last week’s premiere.
Updated w/info for Burn Notice from Media Week (thanks to Joseph in the comments below):
Burn Notice drew 2.43 million adults 25-54 and 2.17 million 18-49s, both of which accounted for a 14 percent decline versus last week’s demo deliveries. While viewers 18-34 are not a target demo, Burn Notice took its most significant hit among that younger segment, averaging 878,000, down 27 percent versus its season opener (1.2 million).
Huh. Didn’t see that one coming. I could’ve sworn it was going to dip in the ratings this week. Word of mouth must be kicking in, though I have to say I didn’t like last night’s episode at all. The pilot was breezy fun and had plot but good one-liners, but last night’s episode felt more like a combination of House and an after-school special. The ballerina’s mystery illness plot wasn’t that interesting, not enough Divvya, and I liked Evan a lot better when he is the snarky sidekick. And I find it odd that Hank would be interested in Jill so soon after his break up with the shrewish fiance. Only thing I really liked yesterday was the Tucker character and his girlfriend – hope they can stick around somehow.
Did they actually trump Burn Notice? (Which I heard drew 5.4 but haven’t seen official numbers yet)
Colour me impressed. I wasn’t blown away by the pilot and would have predicted a drop this week and it will be interesting to see whether this did in fact beat Burn Notice this week.
I’m glad its doing well. The pilot was good and I’ve definitely been spreading the word about it. as for yesterday’s episode I thought it was nice to see more into the background of the hospital administrator and her problems. I have no problem with humanizing the little brother either.
there must have been good word of mouth
my friend kept telling me all week to watch it and i was gonna but i didn’t realise yesterday was thursday and i forgot
but i’ll probably watch it next week
I doubt we’ll know if Royal Pains trumped Burn Notice in viewers for sure until Tuesday. But, if it did, it wouldn’t surprise me too much. Even on the west coast, the NBA finals game went well in to the 9pm hour.
USA Network’s Royal Pains showed an uncanny consistency in its second week, drawing 5.59 million viewers Thursday night, nearly the exact same delivery it notched in its June 4 premiere (5.57 million).
The show also made slight gains among the core demos, averaging 2.6 million adults 25-54 (up 3 percent versus the opener), and 2.35 million viewers 18-49 (up 2 percent). Royal Pains did lose a portion of its younger audience, averaging 958,000 viewers 18-34, down 12 percent from its week-ago delivery of 1.08 million.
USA beat out two broadcasters in the 10 p.m. hour, topping corporate sibling NBC and its new series The Listener in total viewers and across all three demos, per Nielsen fast nationals data. Royal Pains also outpaced CBS’ The Mentalist on among the 18-34 and 18-49 demos.
Leading in at 9 p.m., USA’s Burn Notice declined 13 percent versus its season-three premiere, averaging 5.24 million viewers, and while the fall-off was noticeable, it also was less pronounced than the 15-20 percent drop most series experience in week two.
Burn Notice drew 2.43 million adults 25-54 and 2.17 million 18-49s, both of which accounted for a 14 percent decline versus last week’s demo deliveries. While viewers 18-34 are not a target demo, Burn Notice took its most significant hit among that younger segment, averaging 878,000, down 27 percent versus its season opener (1.2 million).
Media Week
Great to hear about the good numbers. I’m really liking this show, Evan’s is definitely a character.
I can’t believe Royal Pains did better than Burn Notice! 5.59 vs. 5.24
Good for Royal Pains (and USA). I’m still not completely sold on the show (still watching, but not really excited about it either). Still I think USA has done a good job building their brand and it’s good to see them succeed.
I agree, Holly. It’s sort of mildly entertaining, with the potential to improve. I’m sticking around for now due to that potential.
Glad to hear it! I’m not going all fangirl on this show yet, but it’s definitely got potential.
I’m pretty sold on the show, the pilot was really great and most importantly, fun, something new shows tend to forget these days.
Great! I love this show! I now have two shows on USA; In Plain Sight and Royal Pains.
USA has a couple of hits with Burn and Royal, both are really entertaining and I enjoy them greatly, good replacement for Monk
Really? I kind of thought this show was totally lame and dull. Maybe I missed something.
Royal Pains does fit with the characters welcome and the fact it held onto its intial audience is a good thing and a renewal is very likely. I expect Law & Order:CI and In Plain Sight will get renewed although their ratings are lower than Monk, Psych and Burn Notice.
I think White Collar will get the 10pm slot after Burn Notice.
I was surprised that Royal Pains did so well in the second week, since I thought it was pretty good, not great. But good for USA.
I too wouldn’t be surprised if Criminal Intent and In Plain Sight get a renewal. Their ratings are down a bit this season over last, but they are still doing pretty well.
Or I guess I say I would be surprised if they _didn’t_ get a renewal. USA has actually been coughing up money for Emmy ads for IPS (the only other show I’ve seen them do that for so far is their #1 Burn Notice) and apparently USA is planing on using the 16th IPS episode already filmed this season as the season opener for next season. Seems if they had doubts about the show they’d go ahead and burn that episode off since it’s already in the can. And you’d think at this point with their biggest competition, TNT, launching all sorts of new shows, USA should be in be in “expand” mode.
I agree that White Collar sounds like it might be a good match for Burn Notice. Royal Pains might make a good companion to Psych once Monk is over.
Word of mouth is really working for Royal Pains, that’s how I learned about it and I am glad. It seems to make for a very good summer tv show. I really enjoy a lot of the characters too! Divya is a personal favorite (who doesn’t love a snarky Indian girl?) and Evan is an entertaining sidekick. I am a very big fan of Tucker and Libby! I hope they get to stay on the show more!
Royal Pains, you’re doing a good job, keep up the good work!