“Jersey Shore Family Vacation” is back — and in a big way compared with its prior premiere.
The reality series returned to MTV last night for the back half of its third season, posting a 0.94 rating among adults 18-49. That rating in the key demographic was up 15% from the Season 3 summer premiere (a 0.82 rating back on Aug. 22, 2019), according to Nielsen.
The increase among younger adults, those ages 18-34, was even bigger: Thursday’s 0.95 marked a big 42% increase from that August kickoff’s 0.67 rating.
In the 18-34 demo, which is particularly important to a channel like the former Music Television, MTV ranked No. 1 on cable last night. “Floribama Shore” also chipped in there.
There were a few things at play buoying Thursday’s episode of “Jersey Shore Family Vacation.” First, February tends to have higher viewing levels than August. Second, last night almost saw the return of Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino to the program. While he was not seen, Sorrentino was heard via a phone call with his wife. She was en route to pick him up from prison, where Sitch was serving eight months for tax evasion.
Sorrentino was released in September 2019.
“Jersey Shore Family Vacation” airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on MTV.
On Friday, MTV released a new trailer covering the rest of the reality show’s third season — watch that via the video above.
Here’s the Season 3 logline: “After a tumultuous year, Mike ‘The Situation’ rejoins the group after his long-awaited release from prison, and the roommates finally feel whole again and ready for a fresh start. While Nicole and Deena continue to live their best ‘mommy’ lives, Jenni embraces her newly single life and Vinny is happily eating carbs again. Meanwhile, Ronnie’s quest for inner peace is always foiled because of his on-again/off-again relationship, DJ Pauly D is touring the country conquering the DJ world, and Angelina is gearing up to say ‘I do!’”