The debut of USA’s light and fun crime series, White Collar averaged 5.4 million Friday night at 10pm. Comparisons to other USA shows that debuted in the summer or not on Friday nights don’t make much sense to me, but the shows numbers were double that of The Starter Wife in the same slot a year ago.
I haven’t seen the numbers out to three decimal places yet, but will no later than tomorrow. Those planning on entering the White Collar guess the ratings contest for this coming Friday’s episode might want to wait for all three digits before posting your guesses (though dozens of people have already guessed even before they saw the 5.4 million). Update: it appears for the 71 minute premiere it averaged exactly 5.400 million. Earlier in the night Monk averaged 5.419 million…
6.213
I thought Bryce was dead? haha
It was heavily promoted, so I’m not too surprised. The show was pretty good.
Bryce is just doing deep cover as a thief. Once Chuck gets cancelled hopefully all the crimes they solve on White Collar have to do with visiting the Buy More that Chuck works at. And Candyman didn’t get blown up in that fake intercept.
great news thought season premier was pretty good hopefully wil stay above the 4 mill mark which should be enough to get a second season.
Very good for White Collar although I’m interested how Monk did with the return of Sharona. I wonder when Psych returns, will it move to 9pm or will it switch places with White Collar and remain at 10pm.
USA has a pretty robust lineup although I think they may open up Tuesdays or Wednesdays for scripted shows but I think there may be cancellations aside from Monk ending, Law & Order: CI and Psych come to mind as they are currently the lowest rated and in the case f CI, expensive.
Ya know what this is? It’s a ’smart’ show. Not ’smart’ like “quote shakespear for me”, but ’smart’ like, “How do I keep myself safe from identity fraud” smart.
It’s a current theme: Burn Notice is a great example, Castle nearly as much, Big Bang, too. Even all the “CSI” stuff keeps people thinking.
There’s room…hell, HUNGER for education on TV, but they don’t want to be ‘taught’ like a fifth grader. Look at National Treasure, the entire History Channel.
TV Gods: don’t be afraid of smart. Just don’t make your viewers think you think they’re idiots.
“White Collar” was a pretty good show; good writing, sufficient suspense; I’m thinking it’ll stay, if it’s this good at the opening. Good job, guys!
I loved the premiere~ another smart, funny and original program from USA, with characters that are fun to watch. I’m in!
“Castle” is about as smart as a bag of hamburgers.
sounds like decent numbers for a premiere
Kinda wish this show debuted on Wednesday instead of Friday. Then watch the viewers numbers… Isn’t it amazing that at this rate any basic cable show can beat Leno.
Sweet!!!
i’m glad i could the show on friday, it was pretty good. USA can do almost no wrong as far as I’m concerned, except for In Plain Sight.
Of the last 2 seasons, the only new shows with better critical reception are Modern Family & Sons of Anarchy. Weird that all 3 have great ratings. I mean, Mad Men certainly isn’t burning up in the ratings.
Jon my guess and am just guessing so could be wrong but it seems like USA seem to like new series to have something lead them in. So id guess psych will take monks places and theyll leave white collar where is but as say could be totally wrong.
I’ll join in with most others and say I really enjoyed this show. I’d like to see it keep some momentum and have decent numbers again this week. I’m really liking the job USA is doing.
Tiffani just posted some additional facts on her FB page… thought I’d share.
Tiffani Thiessen
Ratings: IT WAS A BIG NIGHT FOR WHITE COLLAR Also of note in the ratings world was a strong Friday night premiere for 10 p.m. USA drama “White Collar,” whose 5.4 million viewers were the most for the network in its time period since the premiere of “Psych” in July 2006. And 2nd best Premiere of a USA show over all!
Not sure what kind of numbers they were hoping for, but I’d say this is a really solid start for a very good show.
To compare, parent network NBC drew a 6.1 for Leno, while 20/20 on ABC managed a 5.6.
I predict this show is going to roll with the momentum and beat its broadcast competition in a matter of weeks. I haven’t met anyone that watched White Collar and didn’t like it (and I know some pretty picky folks, myself included)
Would also like to see Live+7 numbers in a couple of weeks. I bet they’ll come close to 6 million or better.
This was the best first episode I think I’ve ever seen.
Visits to my site are up because of searches for fan fic based on the two main characters. They aren’t going to find fic on my site, or links to fic, but if viewers are already looking for more, can’t wait until next week, this is a strong sign for the show.
Even though I’m not a fic person, the chemistry between Burke and Caffrey is really quite delightful to watch.
This is a great show. I really like the chemistry between the 2 leads.
White Collar was a great show! The program was a lot of fun and smart. Smart in the sense that it doesn’t condescend to the viewer, unlike one other show that turned me off by getting didactic!
USA has done it again in my book they do no wrong
If a cable channel can debut a show with 5+ million viewers, what is the CW’s problem? Oh, of course. We already know their problem.
missed it on friday?
I think they replayed it 20 times over the weekend.
they promoted the hell out of the show leading up to the premiere … other networks could learn a thing or two from usa. might cost a bit more to promote a new show .. but maybe you will make it back if you get enough people watching the show you are promoting.
According to Travis Yanan, it was 5.400 mil. Didn’t expect it to be that exact, but there you have it.
Damn. I had 5.04. SO CLOSE.
Wow, impressive numbers. The trailer looks interesting kind of like the TV version of CATCH ME IF YOU CAN
jon
theres no way they will cancel psych, the show is critically loved, decent ratings, all together AWESOME, and cheap to produce (due to being filmed in canada) and it makes a ton in dvd sales, USA will probably cancel in plain site before they cancel anything else, and what happened to Dr. Stevo?
It was a good show in my opinion.
I thought White Collar was great. If they can continue to put out shows of the same quality, it should stay a hit.
What’s interesting to me is of all the scripted shows on TV, that I watch, 6 of them are on USA Network. Burn Notice, Monk, Psych, In Plain Sight, Royal Pain, and now White Collar.
There are only two scripted shows that I watch that aren’t on USA. Chuck on NBC and Numb3rs. And Numb3rs I only watch via On Demand on Comcast, due to the limited commercial interuptions.
Psych, In Plain Sight and Burn Notice didn’t do as well in their first show as White Collar in my humble opinion. I love all the shows I just mentioned, but White Collar just seemed more primed.
Burn Notice only averaged 3 million in its first season and now it get’s 5-7 million, so for this to premiere at 5 million is really good news, it’s a great show and I just hope the numbers stay good!
I am just concerned that it will never reach higher numbers because it is constricted by a Friday at 10 timeslot. Burn Notice had a chance to really grow with the summer Thursday time slot. USA has Covert Affairs coming up with Piper Perabo, Peter Gallagher and Kari Matchett. It is about the FBI. It seems like a good fit with Burn Notice or unfortunately In Plain Sight. I wonder what USA’s scheduling plan looks like for the future.
Good numbers. I’m thrilled that the premiere was successful, but what else do we expect from USA?
I don’t fully understand the friday timeslot though. How do they pull in any numbers when they debut episodes on fridays? And is their schedule really that full that they have to have it on Fridays and not.. say… any other day of the week>
As unhappy as I am with NBC Universal about the SciFi – Syfy changes, I am equally as happy with what USA has done with their new shows. When they announce a new program, it is automatically added to my must watch list. White Collar is a great addition and likely will become a new favorite. It is just unrealistic enough to be especially fun. I like the boldness of the story and find the characters to be a great fit, even if she will not get him coffee. His reading the code book about warrants was just great and he made himself invaluable by applying what he learned. Bonnie Hammer has done it again. Also if all the replays were totaled I bet the 7 million someone suggested was actually closer to the total of new viewers that saw the show. USA may have pulled a fast one on my DVR because the listing was different enough for the Saturday episode to be recorded as being different from the pilot.
WoW-
I am glad everyone likes this show as much as me- I was giddy watching this show- I am 24 and the lead character is just so slick and cool – I have the ” wish i could do that” moments- It is a very cool, funny, entertaining show-
I hope the audience keeps building- It has everything to be one of USA’s biggest shows-
Bring on the Smart-Cool-Funny shows-
I watched it on DVR the same night, i hate commercials- So i am sure it will get to 7million when the +7 is factored in- Over 6million with the same day viewing-
keep us posted on the adjusted numbers-
I wonder what the total viewership was of all the airings fo the 1st episode-
Could be an interesting number-
Anyone know or care?
I agree that Psych wouldn’t be canceled. Most weeks Psych is in the top 25 with cable ratings and it’s made in canada (for production costs). I think In Plain Sight gets the lowest ratings out of all the USA shows (although not by much) but that show is on the top 25 a lot too. Plus shows like Psych beat out most of TNT’s lineup (I think).