“Atlanta,” the new FX comedy series created by and starring Donald Glover, got the highest-rated premiere of any basic cable primetime scripted comedy in over three years.
The premiere telecast on Sept. 6 drew in 1.2 million viewers in the advertiser-coveted adults 18-49 demographic, making it the most-watched basic cable scripted primetime comedy debut in the key demo since the April 2013 series premiere of “Inside Amy Schumer.”
In total viewers, Atlanta was basic cable’s second most-watched scripted primetime comedy series premiere in the last two years with 1.8 million, behind only the TBS series “Wrecked,” which debuted earlier this year. The premiere telecast was followed immediately by the second episode, which held onto 90 percent of its audience in total viewers and 92 percent in the demo.
On a live-plus-three basis, the total audience delivery for the series premiere telecast and encore airings was 3 million total viewers with 1.9 million falling in the key demo.
“Atlanta” is FX Networks’ most-watched original comedy series premiere in both key measures since the premiere of “Wilfred” in June 2011.
The series follows two cousins as they work through the Atlanta music scene in order to better their lives and those of their families. Earnest “Earn” Marks (Glover) is a young manager trying to get his cousin’s career off the ground. Alfred “Paper Boi” Miles (Brian Tyree Henry) is a hot new rapper trying to understand the line between real and street life.
Darius (Lakeith Lee Stanfield) is Alfred’s righthand man and partner in crime. Vanessa (Zazie Beetz) is Earn’s best friend and the mother of his daughter. Glover serves as executive producer, along with Paul Simms and Dianne McGunigle of MGMT Entertainment. “Atlanta” is produced by FX Productions.
The series has earned strong critical praise and currently holds a staggering 100 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
New episodes of “Atlanta” air on Tuesdays at 10 p.m./9c on FX.