Audience for ‘Weeds’ grows
Monday’s second-season premiere of “Weeds” scored big for Showtime. The program delivered a total of 5.8 million viewers, up 18% compared with the first-season debut a year ago, according to figures from Nielsen Media Research.
That’s not quite a “Sopranos”-worthy number, but the growing strength of “Weeds” could prove a game-changer for Showtime, which has labored for years in the shadow of pay-cable rival HBO. “Weeds” had the best second-season launch in the network’s history, and Showtime now has a series whose ratings could make HBO executives envious. Indeed, through the first six episodes this season, HBO’s highly promoted polygamy drama “Big Love” averaged just 3.9 million viewers.
For the record:
12:00 a.m. Aug. 17, 2006 For The Record
Los Angeles Times Thursday August 17, 2006 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 1 inches; 62 words Type of Material: Correction
“Weeds”: A Quick Takes item in Wednesday’s Calendar section misstated the ratings for Showtime’s season premiere of “Weeds.” The episode drew 578,000 viewers, not 5.8 million. Though its ratings did mark an 18% increase from its first-season debut and was the best second-season launch in Showtime’s history, it was not a showing that would “make HBO executives envious,” as the item stated.
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-- Scott Collins
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