We haven’t really talked about Raising the Bar here at Pop Critics other than to dismiss it out of hand. I think it had something to do with the fact that it stars Mark-Paul Gosselaar and seemed to be just another legal drama. However, scores of viewers were paying more attention than us and proved it by making the premiere on TNT a record setting ratings winner.
7.7 Million Viewers Watch Premiere of TNT’s RAISING THE BAR, Setting Record as Ad-Supported Cable’s Biggest Series Launch of All Time
New Steven Bochco Series Also Stakes Claim as Ad-Supported Cable’s Top New Series Launch For the Year-To-Date among Key Adult Demos
TNT got the fall television season off to a roaring start with Monday the launch of its newest original series, RAISING THE BAR. A record-setting 7.7 million viewers and 5.7 million households tuned in last night to the premiere episode, making it ad-supported cable’s #1 new series launch of all time, according to Nielsen Cable Fast Nationals. The series also garnered 2.8 million adults 18-49 and 3.5 million adults 25-54, making it ad-supported cable’s top new series launch for the year-to-date.
“We are proud RAISING THE BAR is off to such a strong start, with a record-breaking series premiere, said Steve Koonin, president of Turner Entertainment Networks. “RAISING THE BAR is an important part of TNT’s ongoing plans to take on broadcast networks by increasing our lineup of high-profile, original series. With the strength of the TNT brand and three solid, broadcast-level hits in RAISING THE BAR, THE CLOSER and SAVING GRACE, we are well on the way to achieving our goals.
“The outstanding launch of RAISING THE BAR shows that great things can happen when you work with the best in the business, said Michael Wright, senior vice president in charge of the Content Creation Group for TNT, TBS and TCM. “There’s no question that Steven Bochco is among the top talents in television. Working with David Feige and a spectacular cast and crew, Steven has created a series that resonates with TNT’s audience of drama lovers.
The commercial-free premiere of RAISING THE BAR received strong support from its lead-in, THE CLOSER, which is averaging 7.2 million viewers for the season-to-date and continues to rank as ad-supported cable’s #1 series of all time.
Ratings highlights for last night’s series launch of RAISING THE BAR include:
RAISING THE BAR scored a 5.9 coverage household rating/5.0 national household rating.
The series premiere was watched by 7,735,000 viewers and 5,709,000 households, ranking as ad-supported cable’s #1 new series launch of all time in those categories.
The telecast also scored 2,837,000 adults 18-49 and 3,471,000 adults 25-54, ranking as ad-supported cable’s top new series launch for the year-to-date.
In setting a new series launch record, RAISING THE BAR outpaced the 2005 series launch of TNT’s THE CLOSER among households (5,259,000) and the 2004 series launch of USA’s The 4400 among viewers (7,407,000).
In ranking as ad-supported cable’s top new series launch for the year-to-date, RAISING THE BAR supplanted USA’s In Plain Sight among viewers (5,253,000); households (3,809,000); adults 18-49 (2,298,000); and adults 25-54 (2,567,000).
RAISING THE BAR is executive-produced by Steven Bochco (NYPD Blue, Hill Street Blues, LA Law) and stars Mark-Paul Gosselaar (NYPD Blue), Gloria Reuben (ER) and Jane Kaczmarek (Malcolm in the Middle).
The drama series follows the lives and cases of young lawyers who work on opposite sides the public defender’s office and the district attorney’s office as well as those who sit in judgment on their cases.
RAISING THE BAR co-stars Teddy Sears (Ugly Betty), Melissa Sagemiller (Sleeper Cell), Currie Graham (Boston Legal), J. August Richards (Conviction) and Jonathan Scarfe (Into the West). Created by Bochco and lawyer/writer David Feige (author of Indefensible), it comes to TNT from ABC Studios and Bochco Media, with Bochco serving as executive producer. Bochco and Feige wrote the story for the pilot episode, and Feige wrote the script. The pilot was directed by Jesse Bochco (The Closer), who also serves as co-executive producer.
I think it got good ratings mainly because of The Closer…but who knows.
I also dismissed it not because of Zach Morris, but mainly because he has creepy long hair
I hate Mark Paul Gosselaar's long nappy hair too. Once I saw that, I knew I couldn't watch it, no matter how pretty everyone else was.
Yeah, that hair was an odd choice. I think about that every time they show the commercial. Weird.
Well 2.5men gets good ratings and it sucks, as do CSI, NCSI, FUSCI. This has no appeal to me at all, looked too damn cheesy from the preview, and the dude with the hair =dork. I think there will be maybe a yr of good programming left on non-network TV and then we will get Family Matters quality programming.
Took me awhile but thats the guy from that other stupid show with Screech and Mr. Belding. Horrible horrible show that I am sure many of you liked, I'll let it slide on your demographics. Welcome Back Kotter was a better portrayal of High School.
You are ripping on non-Network TV?
Not yet but I think, it is growing sucessful, but i see a saturation point
and execs going for the “cutting edge” stuff and just putting crap on the
networks and the public buying into it because they can swear and show some
ass.
We tried it mostly because there wasn't much else on. I liked MPG when he was on NYPD Blue. Sadly his hair in the isn' the worst part of the show.
My biggest complaints are that the storyline and cast are just too unbelievable and it seemed like all the characters were sleeping together or trying too. Sort of like LA Law meets the Hills.
That's what happens when your out of work for so long. He couldn't afford a haircut.