USA Gets Happy Returns For 4400
IMore than 4400 people returned from alien abductions for USA's The 4400 and fortunately for the cable network, they seem to have brought some friends. The show debuted on Sunday (July 11) and became the highest-rated and most-watched new series premiere ever on basic cable.
The two-hour premiere of what is currently seen as a six-hour series event drew a 5.7 household rating and a 3.5 rating among adults 18-49. Overall, 7.4 million people watched The 4400.
"We're thrilled with the extraordinary response to The 4400 from critics as well as viewers," says Bonnie Hammer, president, USA Network. "Its success is a result of a great product enhanced by creative marketing and strong on-air promotion, in other words, the total collaboration of a great team."
The two most-watched new series basic cable premieres were also for USA entries and should lead to some minor caution for the network. While The Dead Zone drew 6.4 million viewers for its launch and has continued as a minor success, Peacemakers attracted 5.2 million viewers for its first episode, but never reached that level again and was gone after one season.
The premiere for The 4400 was also the top rated USA event in six years. In March of 1998, "Moby Dick" averaged 10.4 million viewers over two nights.
Designed to potentially expand beyond the basic six episodes, Sunday's debut numbers make the future optimistic for more of The 4400.
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