U.S. drama debuts to strong ratings
By STEVE CLARKE
U.K. terrestrial channel ITV1's gamble to give U.S. acquisition
'Pu****ng Daisies' a Saturday night primetime showcase appears to have
paid off.
U.K. terrestrial channel ITV1's gamble to give U.S. acquisition
"Pu****ng Daisies" a Saturday night primetime showcase appears to have
paid off.
The first episode of the supernatural skein, which stars Brit thesp
Anna Friel, achieved an average 25% viewing share against tough
competition.
"To get an audience of more than 5.7 million and 31% of 16- to 34-year-
olds is a tremendous achievement for its debut episode," said ITV head
of acquisitions Jay Kandola. "Of all the U.S. shows to come over to
the U.K. this year, 'Pu****ng Daisies' has been the most talked about
and now the most viewed."
"Pu****ng Daisies" is the first U.S. show to get a primetime slot on
ITV1, the U.K.'s most watched commercial web, in more than a decade
and follows less-than-impressive viewing figures for "Millennium" and
"The Practice."
The web, which is overhauling its schedule following a spate of
homemade drama flops, has envied the success of U.S. fare such as
"Desperate Housewives" and "Lost" on rival Channel 4.
Some of ITV1's original dramas, including the high-profile "Rock
Rivals," attracted an audience of just 2 million -- the kind of
ratings that would have been unthinkable even a year ago.
ITV is putting a lot of marketing clout behind "Pu****ng Daisies,"
originally due to air in January but delayed because of the writers
strike.
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117983998.html?categoryid=14&cs=1
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