Lost finds itself top U.S. import on British TV
An average of 6.1 million viewers, or about 26.8 percent of everybody watching TV at the time, tuned in to Channel 4 to see the first episode of the Emmy-nominated drama about plane-crash survivors marooned on a tropical island.
A second episode, which was shown later in the evening, lured an average of 5.9 million viewers while it was being shown, or a 29.6 percent share.
"Lost has been extremely well-received across the world where it has been a ratings hit without exception, and our fastest-ever selling show," said Tom Toumazis, managing director in Europe for Buena Vista International, which distributes programs globally for Disney.
Channel 4, which is publicly-owned but advertising-funded, and Buena Vista had another big hit with Desperate Housewives, which drew 4.6 million viewers, or 24 percent of the market, when the first episode was shown in Britain in January.
Lost was even more popular with British TV fans than the 10-part HBO military drama Band of Brothers on BBC2 in October 2001, which Housewives couldn't top.
It also was a bigger hit on its debut than such popular U.S. imports as Friends, ER, The Simpsons and Sex and the City.
In a very different television era, the first episode of Dallas, which portrayed the backstabbing ways of oil magnate J.R. Ewing and his family, lured 12.2 million viewers to the BBC in 1982. The market share was not available.
Lost is considered a frontrunner to win best drama at September's Emmy Awards. Shown on the Disney-owned ABC network in the United States, it was the most nominated drama series overall with recognition in 12 categories.
Reuters Insider by Jeffrey Goldfarb 8/11/05
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