'Duck Dynasty' Returns to Record 8.6 Million Viewers

Season three premiere becomes A&E's most-watched telecast ever

By Andrea Morabito -- Broadcasting & Cable, 2/28/2013 3:15:30 PM

The third season premiere of A&E's Duck Dynasty averaged 8.6 million total viewers on Wednesday at 10 p.m. according to Nielsen, making it the network's most-watched telecast ever.

Two back-to-back episodes at 10 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. also broke A&E records in key demos, averaging 5 million adults 18-49 and 4.9 million adults 25-54. The 10 p.m. episode was the top telecast on TV among adults 18-49 on Wednesday, beating broadcast entries like American Idol and Modern Family.

Compared to Duck's second season premiere last October, the episodes grew 132% in total viewers, 117% in adults 25-54 and 127% in adults 18-49.

The series is produced by Gurney Productions.