Spike TV's telecast of the ad-supported cable television premiere of STAR WARS: EPISODE III REVENGE OF THE SITH on Sunday, April 6, was the highest rated movie in network history and the highest-rated movie of the year on ad-supported cable in the key demographics of Men 18-49 and Persons 18-49.
The final installment in the epic adventure saga from director and creator George Lucas drew 4.2 million viewers with a 3.0 household rating (2,859,000 homes), 2.7 in Men 18-49 (1,493,000), 2.4 in Men 18-34 (671,000), and a 2.1 in Persons 18-49 (2,388,000).
Spike's presentation of the STAR WARS saga throughout the weekend hit stellar numbers for the network. STAR WARS: EPISODE I THE PHANTOM MENACE drew 2.8 million viewers and a 2.0 rating on Friday, April 4; and STAR WARS: EPISODE II ATTACK OF THE CLONES on Saturday, April 5 drew 2.4 household rating and 3.3 million viewers.
"The STAR WARS saga is a major cultural influence and, as the ratings show, one that truly resonates with our Spike viewers," said Kevin Kay, president, Spike TV. "Throughout the entire weekend, guys came and found the power of the Force with Spike."
Spike TV also was successful in drawing viewers away from TNT's telecast of THE LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy, which aired head-to-head Friday through Sunday nights. The three STAR WARS films on Spike averaged 3.462 million total viewers compared to 2.698 million for LORD OF THE RINGS on TNT.
Spike TV was #1 in cable for total viewers, Men 18-34 (485,000), M18-49 (1,132,000), and P18-49 (1,792,000) for primetime April 4-6 with the STAR WARS telecasts.
In fact, the network only trailed CBS (who aired the NCAA Final Four) in all of television during the weekend in drawing Men 18-49 and Men 18-34.
Spike TV is available in 96.1 million homes and is a division of MTV Networks.
