TRAFFIC JAM AT "THE BRIDGE"
Critically Acclaimed Drama Becomes
FX's Most Time-Shifted Show Ever on Live+3 Data
Premiere Telecast Gains +67% in Adults 18-49 and +53% in Total Viewers
Will Likely Become the Most-Watched Series Premiere in FX History
LOS ANGELES, July 15, 2013 - Inclusive of Live+3 data, FX's critically acclaimed new drama series The Bridge has posted a record time-shifted viewership increase for any FX series premiere ever and, based on the network's projections, it will likely become FX's most-watched series premiere ever when Live+7 time-shifted viewing is available.
In Total Viewers, the series premiere of The Bridge vaulted +53% on Live+3 from Live+Same Day, delivering 4.64 million Total Viewers, up from 3.04 million. In rank among the premieres of FX's 15 original drama series and miniseries, The Bridge currently ranks as the network's third most-watched debut ever, inclusive of Live+3, up from #11 in Live+Same Day. The Bridge will need an additional +11% increase from Live+3 to Live+7 to surpass the premiere episode of The Americans, which delivered 5.11 million Total Viewers and currently ranks as FX's most-watched series premiere (Live+7).
In delivery of Total Viewers, The Bridge ranks as basic cable's #1 drama series premiere ever in percentage increase on Live+3 data, and will likely be the most time-shifted series premiere ever on basic cable with Live+7.
Among Adults 18-49, the series premiere episode of The Bridge vaulted +67% on Live+3 from Live+Same Day, increasing to 1.93 million Adults 18-49 from 1.16 Million Adults 18-49.
By comparison, The Americans showed gains of +48% in Adults 18-49 and +44% in Total Viewers in Live+3 from Live+Same Day, which were previous time-shifted highs for an FX series premiere.
In episode two of The Bridge, "Calaca" (July 17), Marco (Demian Bichir) and Sonya (Diane Kruger) investigate the body from the bridge. Frye (Matthew Lillard) learns that the killer isn't done with him. Charlotte (Annabeth Gish) makes an unwelcome discovery on her property. Written by Elwood Reid; Directed by Sergio Mimica-Gezzan. The Bridge airs Wednesdays at 10 PM ET/PT, 9:00 PM CT. The network has ordered 13 episodes for season one.
The Bridge is a present-day crime thriller exploring the tensions on the US-Mexico border. When an American judge known for her anti-immigration views is found dead on the bridge connecting El Paso and Juarez, Sonya Cross (Diane Kruger) from El Paso PD must work with her Mexican counterpart from Chihuahua State Police, Marco Ruiz (Demian Bichir), to catch a serial killer operating on both sides of the border. Marco understands the slippery politics of Mexican law enforcement, and while his police force slowly succumbs to the pressures and demands of the cartel, he's one of the last good men in the department. He's charming, but also cunning as he will do whatever it takes to get what he needs. This does not sit well with Sonya, who has Asperger's and strictly follows rules as well as protocol. Her candid and off-putting personality fuels an unforgiving drive for truth. The case quickly pulls them into a string of murders on the border, a scene already consumed by illegal immigration, drug trafficking, violence and prostitution.
The Bridge co-stars are Ted Levine, Annabeth Gish, and Thomas M. Wright, and Matthew Lillard is a guest star.
Based on an international hit series Bron, the pilot for The Bridge was adapted for American television by Meredith Stiehm (Homeland) and Elwood Reid (Hawaii Five-0). The Bridge is executive produced by Stiehm and Reid, alongside Carolyn Bernstein, Lars Blomgren and Jane Featherstone. Gerardo Naranjo directed the pilot episode. The Bridge is a co-production of Shine America and FX Productions.
SOURCE: The Nielsen Company
About FX Networks
FX Networks, a business unit of 21 Century Fox, is comprised of FX, FXM, and its newest channel, FXX, which launches on September 2, 2013. Launched in June of 1994, FX is the flagship general entertainment basic cable channel, which is carried in more than 97 million homes. Its diverse schedule features a growing roster of critically-acclaimed and award-winning hit dramas, including Sons of Anarchy, Justified, The Americans, and critically acclaimed new drama The Bridge; the miniseries American Horror Story; and the acclaimed hit comedy series Louie, Archer and Wilfred. Its library of acquired box-office hit movies is unmatched by any commercial television network. FX's roster of acquired hit series includes Two and a Half Men, Anger Management and, coming in 2014, Mike & Molly. FXM (formerly Fox Movie Channel) was launched in October of 1994 and is now carried in more than 49 million homes. Its schedule features classic films during the day, and contemporary box office hits and acclaimed, award-winning films in the evening, as well as short-form award-winning original programming. FXX will be carried in more than 72 million homes at launch and its schedule will feature original series, movies, and acquired series. The channel will be anchored by the acclaimed hit comedies It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The League and Legit, and the critically acclaimed latenight strip, Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell. Over the next several years, FX, FXX and FXM will undergo an ambitious programming expansion, with the three networks combining to deliver more than 25 original scripted series.
About Shine America
Shine America is a world leader in producing and distributing compelling scripted and unscripted television and digital content. Shine America is known for popular and award-winning original series including The Biggest Loser, Tabatha Takes Over and The Face, as well as adaptations of Shine Group formats such as MasterChef and Minute to Win It, and scripted series including the new FX drama The Bridge. Shine America has development deals with some of the top producers in television including Nigel Lythgoe (Nigel Lythgoe Productions) and its own unscripted format label in Ardaban, led by the creators of the hit Food Network series Chopped. Shine Latino, a new division of Shine America, is producing and distributing original Spanish-language content to the U.S. and Latin American marketplaces. The global Shine 360° division builds brands through the leveraging of its intellectual property and creating integrated marketing opportunities for advertisers. The company has also developed over 20 ground-breaking original online series on MSN, Yahoo!, YouTube premium channels and other platforms, many produced in partnership with global brands such as Walmart, Toyota, Kraft Foods, Subway and Microsoft. Through Shine Group's distribution arm, Shine International, Shine America distributes its extensive library of programming and formats to more than 150 countries. Visit www.shineamerica.com for further information.
About FX Productions
FX Productions produces the critically acclaimed hit comedy series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The League, Louie, Archer, Wilfred, and Legit, and the late night series Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell. FXP co-produces the award-winning hit drama series Sons of Anarchy and Justified, the critically acclaimed drama The Americans, and the critically acclaimed new drama series The Bridge. FXP currently has production output deals in place with RCG Productions, the production company of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Executive Producer/Showrunners Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day and Glenn Howerton, and Floyd County Productions, the production company of Archer Executive Producer/Showrunners Adam Reed and Matt Thompson. FXP recently announced a cable exclusive, first-look pact with Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson and their Color Force production company, producers of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid feature franchise and The Hunger Games. It was the first POD deal for FX Productions that was not established through a prior existing relationship with the studio. FXP has a first-look cable deal with Paul Giamatti, Dan Carey and their production company, Touchy Feely Films. FXP is also producing limited series and miniseries for FX and FOX.
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