'Sons of Anarchy' ratings hit series high for Season 5 premiere

Kurt Sutter's biker drama may have drawn FX's biggest audience ever

By Daniel Fienberg Wednesday, Sep 12, 2012 5:18 PM

Kim Coates of "Sons of Anarchy"

Credit: Prashant Gupta/FX

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Tuesday (September 11) night's dramatic fifth season premiere of "Sons of Anarchy" set series highs for FX in most measures and may set overall records for the cable network.

Per FX, the "Sons of Anarchy" premiere averaged 5.37 million viewers, up by 10 percent over the record-setting fourth season launch of the motorcycle drama. "Sons of Anarchy" was up 9 percent among adults 18-49 with 3.5 million viewers and 14 percent among adults 25 to 54 with 3.45 million viewers.

That made the "Sons of Anarchy" premiere Tuesday's top primetime program among Men 18-49 (with 2.15 million viewers) and Men 18-34 (1.18 million) for both broadcast and cable, while it was the night's top cable program in most non-female-exclusive measures.

"It’s so rare, especially in the current fragmented environment, to see a show grow into its fifth season," blurbs John Landgraf, President and General Manager, FX Networks. "The fact that the season 5 premiere episode is also likely to become FX’s highest rated telecast of all time is a testament to the quality of work Kurt Sutter, the writers, directors, cast and crew have done on this extraordinarily ambitious and riveting drama."

FX expects the "Sons of Anarchy" premiere to rank as the network's most-watched single telecast ever once Live+7 data is available. It's already the most-watched telecast in FX's 18-year history among Men 18-49 and Men 18-34.

Check out HitFix's recap of the premiere.

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Daniel Fienberg
Executive Editor

A long-time member of the TCA Board and a longer-time blogger of "American Idol," Dan Fienberg writes about TV, except for when he writes about movies or sometimes writes about the Red Sox. But never music. He would sound stupid talking about music.

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Hatfield

I love that blurb is a verb in these write-ups. Any chance of incorporating "blah-blah" in the future?
September 12, 2012 at 5:30PM EST Reply to Comment
- dan Hatfield - As a noun or a verb? I can see using "blah-blahs Solberg" is an alternative to "blurbs" at some point. I mean, once I'm killing the English language, might as well truly slaughter it...
  
  -Daniel
  September 12, 2012 at 5:32PM EST
- Hatfield Verb was what I had in mind, but as a noun is very intriguing.
  
  "The relevant blah-blahs: 'I think our show is greater than even grilled cheese!' blurbs Chris Albrecht"
  September 13, 2012 at 11:37AM EST
Kj

I've watched from the beginning and this seasons so far the best....
October 2, 2012 at 11:32PM EST Reply to Comment

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'Sons of Anarchy' ratings hit series high for Season 5 premiere