‘Homeland’ secures premiere ratings record with Season 3 opener

Critics may have complained about last season, but fans haven’t given up on “Homeland” yet.

Season 3 of the counter-terrorism thriller opened Sunday with 1.9 million total viewers, according to Nielsen.

That was 9% higher than last year’s Season 2 premiere and “Homeland’s” most-watched season start yet.

FALL TV 2013: Watch the trailers

This despite the fact that “Homeland” was airing opposite the hugely anticipated series finale of AMC’s drama “Breaking Bad.” “Breaking Bad” set its own record, with more than 10 million viewers tuning in for the 9 p.m. event.

What’s more, “Homeland” had to contend with generally poor reaction to its sophomore season, which was trashed by many critics and fans as not living up to the promise of the series.

Meanwhile, the 10 p.m. premiere of “Masters of Sex” -- a dramatization of the careers of pioneering sex researchers William Masters and Virginia Johnson -- got off to a soft start, with 1 million tuning in.

What did you think of the “Homeland” and “Masters” premieres?

ALSO:

Critic’s Notebook: Last thoughts on ‘Breaking Bad’

‘Homeland’ adjusts in Season 3 after last year’s explosions

‘Breaking Bad’ finale sends out Walter White with a ratings record