'90210' is CW's highest-rated scripted series premiere

UPDATED: The premiere of the CW's "90210" -- arguably the most crucial series of the fall season -- became the highest-rated scripted debut in the network's two-year history.

Tuesday's two-hour premiere was seen by 4.9 million viewers and garnered a 2.6 rating among adults 18-40. That surpasses the CW's previous scripted record in the adult demo by 18%, set by a premiere of the long-running cult favorite "Smallville" (2.2). The "90210" number also ties the network's premiere record once reached by reality hit "America’s Next Top Model." The CW enjoyed a rare full-night victory, besting all broadcast competitors to win the evening in the adult demo. Among the network's women 18-34 target, "90210" was the CW's highest-rated scripted telecast ever (4.3/12).

"I was really thrilled, I was relieved, I was excited," said CW entertainment president Dawn Ostoff when asked her reaction to the numbers. "I knew this would appeal to a broader audience than our other shows. We are really happy with the Nielsen numbers, I really think this show is going to soak into the zeitgeist."

TV critics were braced for disaster after CW refused to send out screener copies of the show (the debut was actually reworked until nearly the last minute). But most critics were generally pleased with the result, calling the show a serviceable-if-tame update of the 1990s original.

The "90210" returns are considered to have outsized importance. No network has more riding on a single show than the CW has on "90210." If the CW does not improve, industry insiders have whispered this summer, corporate parents Warner Bros. and CBS Corp. might fold the network. And of all the CW's new shows, only the teen soap sequel was considered to have a real shot of significantly moving the needle. To paraphrase the network's "90210" slogan, the CW is living by the code.

"It needs to be something that is surprising," a company insider said last week of the "90210" rating. "An 'I didn't know the CW could do that kind of number' number."

By setting a new scripted record, last night's tally could fit the bill. Combined with "Gossip Girl" showing some growth on Monday, "90210" should give CW some breathing room if the show can continue to carry a fair amount of its number into next week. Now that's a big If, since last night doubtless contained a significant amount of one-time curiosity tune-in.

"I think it's probably excessive to pin the survival of a network on a single show, but unquestionably the relaunch of this well-known franchise is going to be inordinately important in bringing some heat back to the CW, and forestalling further erosion of their audience," TV historian Tim Brooks said. "Youth-oriented networks, more than anyone, need heat."

The "90210" numbers also improved over the course of the show's two hours among all key demographics, which is a hopeful sign that audiences remained engaged in the show. 

"Part of the news this morning that made me feel really good is seeing how every half hour built," Ostroff said. "In the 11th hour, I wondered about whether this was the right decision to put the two hours back to back. It’s a lot of drama. But people really liked these characters."

Also: In its second week in its new time period, NBC's "America's Got Talent" (10.6 million viewers, 2.8/8) posted a Tuesday low. Fox placed second with repeats, followed by NBC, CBS led by "Big Brother" (6.5 million 2.4/6) and ABC, which aired the finale of "Wanna Bet" (3.9 million, 1.5/4). Convention ratings will be posted later today.

UPDATE: For the three or so CW viewers that didn't catch it the first time, the network just announced it will air an encore of the two-hour "90210" premiere on Thursday, Sept. 4.

Comments

[macshill (chris mccaw)]

That's just buzz curiosity being satisfied. Wait until next-day ratings for episode two. Those who thought it stinks (me included) won't be tuning in from here on end.

[j]

i had high expectations for the show, 'cos i was a 90210 fan back then. it didn't meet my expectations but it was still interesting. shannon is still an awesome actress(i wish she would have came out more). lets see what the next episode brings us.

[Chris]

I can't say I wasn't surprised 90210 stunk like old milk. The writing was just terrible the characters had no depth. It was just horrible i wish i could ask for my 2 hours back. I don't get it cause 90210 had the chance to be smashing hot. But the cast of people they have are all just so disney. It seemed like at any moment they were going to come out singing and dancing, oh god. I say cancel it now please and come up with something better.

[david]

I thought the show was great, it is a refreshing new drama on tv. I think tv really needs a show like this, and I think it is going to do well.

[chris]

What so refreshing about this show? Its like a sick version of The Hills, mixed with The OC, sprinkled with some disney dust. Come on when are we gonna get a show that really is refreshing and really isn't about pushing the envelope but about deep story lines, and great acting. The 90's came and gone now we need a shot of realness injected into these shows. The original 90210 was good because at the time it was refreshing this weird spin off is not refreshing. They are just trying to make a quick buck but they will not succeed. Wait till next week when hardly anyones watching.

[Red Machine]

one name...

JESSICA STROUP!

[chris]

Of course, cause show's are just about pretty faces (yeah okay). I think she's cute she belongs in a modeling agency. Other then that I don't think she has much to offer. so if thats what's so refreshing about the show i guess we can all expect a quick departure of 90210. I'm just tired of the media trying to shove crap down our throats. This show is horrible!

This spin off has a lot to live up to thats for sure. Lets face it the original 90210 was a phenomenon. High school soap opera tv shows are at an all time popularity these days - between gossip girl, The OC, Dawsons Creek..
To me, its going to be difficult to come up with original storylines and reach climaxes that have not been seen before to viewers.
Shenae Grimes did a great job in my mind..being a Torontonian and a Canadian actress with not an extensive background in the Hollywood limelight, she shows strength and great ability to move forward.
Overall, given the premiere was 2 hours, the story needed to be more interesting. I found myself flipping channels and just getting bored.
With better writing and development of interesting characters who knows, the show might have success..

[Susan Thompsom]

I was dissappointed! I watched the orignal 90210 back in it day and I don't remember it being "corny" maybe i was just younger, I will give it another shot next week.

[The Man]

There already is a show with good acting and deep characters. It's called Friday Night Lights and nobody watches it.

[COnn]

A lot of the people here that didnt like it, where people that watched the original back in the day. Most of the teens, mostly teen girls will like this show. For people thinking this was gonna be anyhting like the original, your are wrongly mistaken. The teens these days is a new Generation.

[Conn]

Well the Man, Friday Night Lights Season 1 was really good. I thought Season 2 was boring and a huge dissapointment.

[JAKE]

How amazing -- it got the ratings that the WB used to have on a regular basis when it was it's own network. Whoever came up with the idea of combining UPN and WB to make the CW should be SHOT.

Great news for the 90210 -- it was alright to good.

[chris]

COnn are you questioning the intelligence of the teen girls of this generation? you don't think they can see the horrible acting and the stupid story-lines? I would like to think that this generation would expect more. I was too young to get into the original 90210 when it was at its prime. So I wasn't expecting this one to be like the old one. I was hoping for a hit show from the CW but with these cookie cutter actors they are not going to accomplish anything.

P.S. A hit show isn't just watched by teen girls a hit show is watched by everyone.

[frankentank]

You want to see the outcome of letting our children watch shows like this? Filling their heads with all of the superficial bullcrap and making them think that the laws dont apply to them....

check out this bonehead... Mr Dirty Scottsdale himself

Nic Richie - DUI arrest with Mugshots - www.thedirty.com

[Jeanette]

90210 may have gotten the ratings on its first showing but I found it to be very boring how I was able to watch the whole thing I dont know..unfortunately I think the spin-off will be a total flop -gee just no comparison to the hit "Gossip Girl" will have to do better!!

Thurs.Sept.4th,2008

[Karen]

I'm not tuning in until the Flaming Lips are on.

[Lisa]

90201 was awesome!

[elle 2]

Anyone who cares about watching a show on the CW with great writing and superb acting, deep storylines that build characterization and showcase real issues should watch Supernatural. Don't let the name or the genre, demons etc, fool you, there are real issues being revealed and discussed and the layers of the two main characters are deep, complex and interesting, something GG and 90210 don't have a prayer of pulling off with their emphasis on sex, sex, sex and oh, yeah, did I mention, sex.

It's a shame the network is so narrow as to think stale, stupid and flimsy storylines packaged in pretty little packages with no intelligence or acting ability is what viewers want.

[Sophie Bell]

I actually like this show i think it is really good. it filled with Canadian brilliant actors!