‘FRIENDS’ SEASON PREMIERE ATTRACTS 31.7 MILLION VIEWERS – THE SERIES' LARGEST AUDIENCE FOR ANY EPISODE SINCE 1995-96 SEASON
“Must See TV” returned in a big way last night when Rachel revealed that she’s pregnant and millions paused to watch the season premiere of the nation’s most popular comedy FRIENDS.
Based on measurable in-home viewing data provided this afternoon by Nielsen Media Research, FRIENDS attracted an average of 31.7 million viewers – the show’s largest audience since Thursday, February 8, 1996 and the seventh-largest audience for any episode in the show’s history. (Note: The series’ six most-watched episodes, including a one-hour special following Super Bowl XXX, all appeared during the 1995-96 season).
MOST-WATCHED EPISODES OF FRIENDS
Average Audience Date
52,925,000 Sunday, January 28, 1996 (following Super Bowl XXX) 33,597,000 Thursday, February 1, 1996 32,903,000 Thursday, November 16, 1995 32,868,000 Thursday, February 8, 1996 32,402,000 Thursday, January 4, 1996 32,095,000 Thursday, September 21, 1995 31,696,000 Thursday, September 27, 2001 31,667,000 Thursday, January 18, 1996 31,609,000 Thursday, May 7, 1998 31,305,000 Thursday, May 18, 1995
In the key demographics that are used to determine advertising rates, last night’s episode of FRIENDS delivered a 15.8 rating and 43 share in adults 18-49, an 18.9/49 in women 18-49, a 12.6/37 in men 18-49, a 17.2/51 in adults 18-34, a 21.3/58 in women 18-34 and a 13.1/42 in men 18-34.
In adults 18-49, FRIENDS attracted its largest audience since September 24, 1998 (the show’s fifth season premiere, “The One After Ross Says Rachel”) and ninth-largest audience in this key demo for any episode, including the 1996 Super Bowl special.
Compared to its 2000-01 season premiere, FRIENDS was up 15 percent in adults 18-49 and 24 percent in total viewers.
nbcmv.com
Lets hope they keep up the ratings.
-Priya