History's 'The Bible' Premieres to 13.1 Million Viewers

Debuts first scripted series 'Vikings' to 6.2 million viewers

By Tim Baysinger -- Broadcasting & Cable, 3/4/2013 4:48:53 PM

The two-hour premiere of History's scripted miniseries The Bible drew 13.1 million total viewers from 8-10 p.m. on Sunday.

The 13.1 million falls below parts one and three of last year's three-part miniseries Hatfields & McCoys, which drew 13.9 million and 14.3 million respectively. Bible tied part two of Hatfields, which also drew 13.1 million viewers. The two-hour debut also averaged 4.6 million adults 25-54 and ranks as the top cable entertainment telecast of the year, surpassing AMC's The Walking Dead. Across two plays, The Bible averaged 14.8 million total viewers and 5.6 million adults 25-54.

The Bible will air over the next four Sundays.

Following The Bible, History launched its first-ever scripted series Vikings to 6.2 million total viewers to become the year's top cable series launch among total viewers and adults 25-54. The premiere episode also drew 2.5 million adults 18-49 and 2.7 million adults 25-54. Across two plays, Vikings drew 8.3 million total viewers; 3.4 million adults 18-49 and 3.8 million adults 25-54.

The network also said that History.com had its best-ever day of activity on Sunday.