The Lyons roared from the start to the finish line.
After premiering with 9.9 million viewers and a sizable 3.8 in the adults 18 – 49 demographic back in January, Empire ended its historic freshman run last night with 16.7 million viewers and a massive 6.5 in the all-important adults 18 – 49 demographic.
Most successful shows debut with a high number of viewers, lose viewers in the second and third subsequent weeks and then steady out… but not Empire. Empire defied television logic by adding viewers for ten straight weeks.
In its usual 9 p.m. slot, Empire drew 17.6 million viewers, while its first hour garnered 15.57 million viewers. Obviously those two numbers were averaged, and that’s where 16.7 million viewers comes from.
As promised, here’s the week-to-week breakdown of Empire‘s unprecedented growth streak.
January 7: 9.9 million viewers
January 14: 10.32 million viewers
January 21: 11.07 million viewers
January 28: 11.36 million viewers
February 4: 11.47 million viewers
February 11: 11.96 million viewers
February 18: 13.02 million viewers
February 26: 13.9 million viewers
March 4: 14.3 million viewers
March 11: 14.9 million viewers
March 18: 16.7 million viewers
For comparative purposes, check out the viewing trend of ABC’s hit show How to Get Away with Murder below. Let’s see if you spot the difference.
September 25: 14.12 million viewers
October 2: 11.94 million viewers
October 9: 10.81million viewers
October 16: 9.79 million viewers
October 23: 9.97 million viewers
October 30: 8.68 million viewers
November 6: 9.18 million viewers
November 13: 9.25 million viewers
November 20: 9.82 million viewers
January 29: 9.18 million viewers
February 5: 8.34 million viewers
February 12: 8.44 million viewers
February 19: 8.86 million viewers
February 26: 8.99 million viewers
We cannot wait for season two of Empire!
