The seriously addictive series Downton Abbey has returned to PBS for season three with record-breaking series numbers. According to PBS, episode one of season three had 7.9 million viewers tuning in to see what’s happening with the Crawley family and their household staff. And those episode one viewers quadrupled the average PBS primetime viewer numbers. Season 3’s premiere also exceeded the average season two premiere by 96%.
Downton Abbey and PBS ranked as the second most watched broadcast on January 6, 2013 between 9-11pm.
States PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger: “Downton Abbey continues to enthrall audiences nationwide, and this season is especially riveting with the addition of Shirley MacLaine to the cast and the lively interaction between her and Maggie Smith. I’m so pleased that audiences have returned to Downton Abbey on their local stations to continue to enjoy some of the best drama on television.”
“The well-loved characters that made Season 2 the most-watched series in MASTERPIECE history continue to delight us,” added MASTERPIECE executive producer Rebecca Eaton. “I’m thrilled to see so many viewers return to the Crawley family’s delicious drama and intrigue.”
Details on Season 3: The Great War is over and a long-awaited engagement is on, but all is not tranquil at Downton Abbey as wrenching social changes, romantic intrigues and personal crises grip the majestic English country estate. The international hit, written by Julian Fellowes, stars Dame Maggie Smith, Elizabeth McGovern, and Hugh Bonneville, with guest star Shirley MacLaine.
