'Spartacus' Draws 1.2 Million Viewers

Jan. 23 premiere of new Starz series drew more than 3.3 million total viewers across several showings

By R. Thomas Umstead, Multichannel News -- Broadcasting & Cable, 1/27/2010 11:05:21 AM

Starz's Jan. 23 premiere of Spartacus: Blood and Sand drew more than 3.3 million total viewers across several showings, according to the premium pay TV network.

Based on live-plus-same-day DVR viewing, the 10 p.m. premiere of the series drew 1.2 million combined total viewers on both Starz (2.1 HH rating, 661,000 viewers) and Encore (1.2 rating, 580,000 viewers), according to network executives.

An additional 430,000 viewers (1.6 HH rating) watched at 11PM ET/PT on Starz.

The 3.3 million viewership figure includes three additional weekend airings on Starz and Encore with same-day DVR usage. Figures from other Starz channels, additional DVR usage, starz.com viewership and on-demand/online previews with affiliates are expected to grow that figure well past 4 million total viewers, said network officials.

"This is the most successful premiere in the company's history," said Stephan Shelanski, executive vice president, programming for Starz Entertainment in a statement. "We are very gratified to see that our excitement and faith in the series - already renewed for a second season - has been matched by initial demand. This show is unlike anything ever seen on television, and we are confident that passion for the series will grow as the character development and incredible story arcs unfold."

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