Congrats to - Tyler
Perry and Oprah Winfrey may be the perfect match -- at least in terms of
Winfrey's cable network. OWN launched its first scripted effort Tuesday night,
pulling in its highest rated series premiere yet.
OWN
Sets Premieres for Tyler Perry's Scripted Series, Greenlights Two Shows
The
Haves and the Have Nots, from the prolific writer, director and producer,
brought in 1.77 million viewers with its 9 p.m. premiere. Part of a back-to-back
premiere, the show managed to grow to 1.8 million viewers in its second episode
at 10 p.m. The strongest premiere until now has been the recent debut of Life
With La Toya (1.18 million).
Among
women 25-54, OWN's ad-friendly demo, the 9 p.m. episode brought in a 1.57
rating and the 10 p.m. episode pulled a 1.67 rating.
OWN
and Perry inked an exclusive multiyear deal in October, which will see the
multi-hyphenate develop new series and projects for the network. The pact
included the addition of The Haves and the Have Nots to the network, as well as
comedy Love Thy Neighbor which opens Wednesday.
For
the second quarter to-date, the young cable network is up 12 percent in total viewers compared
to last year.
