BET's `Reed Between The Lines' Draws 3.3 Million Viewers

BET's newest sitcom Reed Between The Lines was a hit with viewers, drawing 3.3 million viewers in its 10 p.m. premiere last night.

The series, starring Malcolm Jamal Warner and Tracee Ellis Ross, also drew another 2.9 million viewers for a 10:30 p.m. new episode airing, according to network officials.

The series benefited from its lead-in, the BET Hip Hop Awards, which drew a franchise high 4.1 million viewers, according to BET.

The BET Hip Hop Awards telecast featured performances from Big Sean, Lupe Fiasco, Heavy D and Rick Ross.

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.