We were just hoping it would be good. Instead, CW‘s new series exceeded expectations when Arrow debuted in the US last night to record numbers, becoming “the most watched telecast on the network of any show, on any night, in three years”. Based on the DC Comics character Green Arrow, it follows in the footsteps of the long-running series Smallville.
After a violent shipwreck, billionaire playboy Oliver Queen was missing and presumed dead for five years before being discovered alive on a remote island in the Pacific. When he returns home to Starling City, he secretly creates the persona of Arrow – a vigilante – to right the wrongs of his family, fight the ills of society, and restore Starling City to its former glory. The series stars Stephen Amell as Oliver Queen, Colin Donnell as Tommy, Katie Cassidy as Laurel Lance, David Ramsey as John Diggle, Willa Holland as Thea Queen, with Susanna Thompson as Moira Queen and Paul Blackthorne as Detective Quentin Lance.
US viewers, or people who have access to a US IP range, can now view the pilot online for free via CW’s official Arrow page.
Last night’s premiere of ARROW was right on target with the network’s goal of broadening out and bringing new viewers to the network – it drew 4.02 million viewers, the most watched telecast on the network of any show, on any night, in three years (11/12/2009).
ARROW was the most watched premiere on the network since THE VAMPIRE DIARIES (9/10/2009).
This was the most watched show in the Wednesday 8PM time period in more than three years (5/13/2009)
Versus last year’s premiere of H8R in the time period, it more than doubled its audience (4M vs. 1.3M) and was up 57% in A18-34 (1.1/4), and 117% in A18-49 (1.3/4)
The ARROW premiere also gave SUPERNATURAL a boost last night, it was SUPERNATURAL’s most watched episode (2.6M) since 10/15/10, and was its best A18-34 rating since 3/4/11 (1.0/3)
Last night was The CW’s best Wednesday night in total viewers (3.3M) in more than two years (5/12/10) and in two years in A18-34 (1.0/3, 12/10/10) and in A18-49 (1.2/10, 10/13/10)
ARROW tied NBC’s original comedies in the 8-9PM hour in total viewers (4M) and in A18-34 and A18-49.
