`Mary, Mary’ Season Debut Belts Out Demo Ratings Highs

We tv’s gospel-themed reality series Mary Mary struck a chord with key demo groups in its March 5 season four premiere, the network said Tuesday.

The series, which follows the lives of the gospel music duo, averaged 1.3 million viewers in its season four premiere, which was on par with the show’s season three debut last year.

The show did post double digit increases among key groups compared to its season three debut including among adults 18-49 (up 27%), adults 25-54 (up 31%), women 18-49 (up 28%) and women 25-54 (up 34%), said network officials.

The episode was also the most watched cable telecast among all key African-American demos for the night, said WE.

 “We’re thrilled with the performance of Mary Mary and excited that our viewers continue to enjoy these genuine stories,” said Marc Juris, WE tv’s president in a statement.  “This season’s growth is a testament to the personally emotional and dramatically charged stories that Erica and Tina share, and which are the hallmarks of our unscripted series centered on authentic relationships and real life drama.”

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.