The Closer and Rizzoli and Isles - Impressive Premiere Ratings

TNT’s The Closer Draws 7.2 Million Viewers, While Rizzoli & Isles Nabs 6.4 Million in Sizzling Summer Premieres

The top two series on cable returned Monday night to exceptional numbers, led at 9 p.m. by The Closer, which entered its seventh season with 7.2 million viewers in Live + Same Day delivery, making it basic cable’s biggest drama audience of the year-to-date. The Closer was followed at 10 p.m. by the second-season premiere of Rizzoli & Isles, which scored 6.4 million viewers. The outstanding deliveries for the two series brought a strong audience to a sneak peek of TNT’s new series Dallas. The first-ever look at the new Dallas premiered during The Closer before going live online at http://DallasTNT.com.

“The blockbuster premieres of The Closer and Rizzoli & Isles last night are the latest in a string of successes for TNT,” said Michael Wright, executive vice president and head of programming for TNT, TBS and Turner Classic Movies (TCM). “With The Closer and Rizzoli & Isles joining the epic drama Falling Skies, TNT is once again home to the summer’s biggest hits.”

The Closer, starring Emmy® winner Kyra Sedgwick, will conclude its seven-season run in 2012. Among key adult demos, Monday night’s seventh-season premiere drew with 1.8 million adults 18-49 and 2.4 million adults 25-54 in Live + Same Day.

Rizzoli & Isles, which stars Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander, launched last year as cable’s top series. Among key adult demos, Monday’s second-season premiere drew 1.5 million adults 18-49 and 2.1 adults 25-54. Both series are expected to rise significantly through time-shifted viewing.

Source: TNT