“The People v OJ Simpson: American Crime Story” saw a major jump in its delayed viewing numbers released Monday by Nielsen.
On a live-plus-three basis, the premiere episode which aired Feb. 2 with two encores, drew 12 million total viewers and 6.1 million in the advertiser coveted 18-49 demographic.
The first airing of the premiere episode of the show posted 5.1 million total viewers and 2.5 million in the key demo. With these new numbers, “People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story” is officially the most-watched original scripted series premiere in FX’s 22-year history.
The show’s second episode airs this Tuesday and follows Simpson (Cuba Gooding Jr.) on the run in the white Bronco. Lawyers Robert Shapiro (John Travolta) and Robert Kardashian (David Schwimmer) deal with the fallout.
The series is based on the book “The Run of His Life: The People v. O.J. Simpson” by Jeffrey Toobin, exploring the chaotic behind-the-scenes dealings and maneuvering on both sides of the court.
Ryan Murphy, Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, Scott Alexander, Larry Karaszewski and Brad Falchuk serve as executive producers. Travolta, Gooding Jr., Schwimmer, Sarah Paulson, Courtney B. Vance, Sterling Brown, Nathan Lane, Kenneth Choi, Christian Clemenson and Bruce Greenwood star. The limited series is produced by Fox 21 Television Studios and FX Productions.