'Hatfields & McCoys' makes ratings history for History
Kevin Costner mini sets an ad-supported cable viewing record
Matt Barr and Kevin Costner in 'Hatfields & McCoys'
Kevin Costner might want to consider a permanent move to the small screen. His star turn in History channel's "Hatfields & McCoys" premiered last night to record numbers for ad-supported cable: 13.9 million total viewers.
That's bigger than any non-sports telecast in ad-supported cable history, according to History. In demos, "Hatfields" drew 5.8 million viewers 25-54 and 4.8 million viewers 18-49.
It's even more impressive for handily trouncing all broadcast network competition (Monday night's most watched show was NBC's "America's Got Talent" with 10 million viewers).
There's precendent for Western success on basic cable. AMC's "Broken Trail" scored 9.8 million viewers in 2006 and TNT's "Crossfire Trail" had 12.5 million viewers in 2001. While "Hatfields" surpassed those successes, it did trail the 17.2 million viewers for Disney Channel's "High School Musical 2" in 2007. Since Disney is not ad-supported, History can still claim the record.
History's extensive promotional campaign and a smart Memorial Day holiday tie-in surely gave a boost to "Hatfields," which also stars Bill Paxton, Powers Boothe and Mare Winningham.
"Hatfields & McCoys" continues tonight and concludes tomorrow night 9 p.m. ET on History.
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Login or create a HitFix account Login Signupbuckbeat
May 29, 2012 at 4:16PM EST Reply to CommentHaven't watched it yet. Does it have a western feel? Because the subject is certainly not "western."
BlitzMark
May 29, 2012 at 4:30PM EST Reply to CommentBut have you seen it? Is it good?
sepinwall Fienberg reviewed it prior to premiere:
May 29, 2012 at 4:38PM ESThttp://www.hitfix.com/the-fien-print/tv-review-historys-hatfields-mccoys
RP12
May 29, 2012 at 6:55PM EST Reply to CommentWow, that's impressive. So why can't AMC get more than 2 million people to watch Mad Men?
Jim
May 29, 2012 at 11:58PM EST Reply to CommentI am liking this show. Of course I also still like The Killing and American Horror Story, so, wtf do I know? ;I
Sareeta Yeah. I haven't finished the 1st episode yet, but I like what I've seen so far. With zero prior knowledge of the legendary feud, I am looking at this as a lesson in history. It's like those history programs about the Ice Age with reenactments....except much better.
May 30, 2012 at 8:29AM EST