Update: The “How to Get Away with Murder” premiere was every bit the monster the overnight ratings suggested.
The new 10PM drama drew a whopping 3.9 adults 18-49 rating with 14.34 million viewers. Even with its “Scandal” lead-in in the adults 18-49 demo, “Murder” drew a considerably larger audience. “Scandal” averaged 12.16 million viewers in the 9PM slot.
Earlier in the night, ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” drew a 3.1 rating with 10.14 million viewers.
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Everyone knew it would be big. Few likely anticipated it would be this big.
Thursday’s “How To Get Away With Murder” premiere drew a monstrous 9.7 overnight household rating.
Impressive in any circumstance, the number is rendered more astounding by virtue of the fact that it topped its “Scandal” lead-in. And with an 8.6 rating of its own, that juggernaut, which moved to the 9PM hour as part of ABC’s ShondaLand/”TGIT” lineup, did not pull any punches in the nightly ratings race.
Earlier in the night, “Grey’s Anatomy” delivered a strong 7.0 overnight rating in the 8PM hour.
Because “Murder” is expected to join “Scandal” and “Grey’s” in skewing toward young adult viewers, its strong 9.7 overnight household rating foretells a very impressive adults 18-49 number. That number–and the total viewership count–is due by noon.