'O.J. Simpson' Series Sets FX Ratings Record

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

FX's The People V. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story set a network ratings record for a series premiere in Live+3 Nielsen ratings, according to network officials.

The Feb. 2 premiere episode of the series, based on the book The Run of His Life: The People v. O.J. Simpson by Jeffrey Toobin, drew 8.3 million viewers, besting the previous recored of 4.8 million viewers set by The Shield and Justified, according to network officials. The episode drew 5.1 million viewers in Nielsen Live+same day ratings.

The 10-episode limited series, which stars Cuba Gooding Jr. as O.J. Simpson, also set a network record among adults 18-49, averaging 4.2 million viewers within the demo. With added replays, the episode drew a total of 12 million viewers.

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.