Ratings Real With Fifth Season Of Bravo's 'Orange County'

Nov. 5 Telecast Delivers Top 18-49 Debut In 'Real Housewives' Franchise History

MCN Staff -- Multichannel News, 11/8/2009 1:41:00 AM

Bravo's Orange County blondes are back with a Nielsen bounce.
The fifth season debut of The Real Housewives of Orange County marked the highest premiere across the franchise among adults 18 to 49 and topped all of this series previous launches in viewers and key demos.
The Nov. 5 telecast delivered 1.98 million adults 25 to 54 amidst its 2.58 million total viewers, according to Nielsen live + same day data. Those totals represented gains of 44% (versus 1.37 million) and 38% (1.88 million) over the show's fourth-season debut on Nov. 25, 2008, according to network officials. The show was cable's tops among adults and women 18 to 49 for the day.
"The First Ladies of Orange County do everything with style and their record-breaking premiere is no different," said Frances Berwick, executive vice president and general manager, Bravo Media, in a statement. "To achieve a series high with a fifth season premiere is remarkable and a testament to our viewers' continued passion for the entire housewives franchise."
Bravo also scored with the part two of the reunion special for the sophomore season of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, averaging 2.44 million total viewers and 1.77 million adults 18 to 49, Bravo's highest Thursday 9 p.m. telecast ever among the demo and first in cable for the hour. The Real Housewives of Atlanta's second season was the highest-rated "Real Housewives" franchise season ever, averaging 2 million adults 18 to 49 and 2.84 million total viewers, up 101% and 116%, respectively, against its inaugural campaign.