Update:<\/b> CBS notes that the premiere of “Star Trek: Discovery” drew a 1.9 adults 18-49 rating and averaged 9.6 million overall viewers Sunday night.<\/p>\n
The broadcast certainly benefited from strong lead-in support (“60 Minutes,” which was boosted by the afternoon NFL game), but both numbers are solid. They reflect a sizable sampling for the latest entry in the “Star Trek” franchise.<\/p>\n
“Discovery,” it should be noted, will not be a broadcast TV series moving forward. New episodes will instead premiere on the premium CBS All Access Streaming Service.<\/p>\n
Its real value will therefore come from how many subscriptions it helps generate.<\/p>\n
The early results are encouraging in that regard, as CBS says that it received a record number of sign-ups Sunday. The real barometer will be how many viewers subscribe — and remain subscribed — over time.
\n=====<\/p>\n
Based on preliminary ratings, the premiere of CBS’ “Star Trek: Discovery” drew a solid audience.<\/p>\n
According to metered market data posted by Programming Insider, Sunday’s broadcast drew a 6.7 overnight household rating.<\/p>\n
It trailed NBC’s Sunday Night Football coverage in the timeslot, but it markedly outperformed competition from ABC and FOX.<\/p>\n
The aforementioned rating confirms interest from a substantial number of households, but it does not reveal how well “Star Trek” fared in the adults 18-49 demographic coveted by advertisers (and thus broadcast networks). Demographic and overall viewership data should emerge later in the day.<\/p>\n
“Discovery,” however, is an interesting case. TV ratings (particularly adults 18-49 numbers) typically matter insofar as they impact a show’s ability to earn revenue from advertisements.<\/p>\n
“Discovery” will not be an advertiser-driven TV show moving forward. It will be the flagship of CBS’ All Access streaming service, where new episodes will air exclusively.<\/p>\n
The goal of this premiere — and of “Discovery” as a whole — is to attract paying subscribers to the network.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The first “Star Trek: Discovery” episode drew solid marks on CBS.","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[1048],"tags":[275,9247],"adace-sponsor":[],"yoast_head":"\n