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