Sunday’s season two “The Leftovers” finale was the highest-rated and most-watched episode of the season.
Per Nielsen cable data, the episode drew an improved 0.48 adults 18-49 rating and 993,000 total live+same-day viewers. The numbers top the 0.40 rating and 861,000 viewership mark posted by last week’s episode, which at the time ranked as season highs.
Bolstered by season finale buzz, Sunday’s episode also benefited from the absence of competition from “The Walking Dead.”
While the late-season uptick reflects favorably upon the show, its viewership numbers still markedly trail those of the first season.
This week’s 993,000 viewership sum was the best of the second season. No first season episode drew fewer than 1.38 million.
The first season, of course, benefited from airing in the summer (away from fall competition) and with lead-in support from one-time HBO flagship “True Blood.”