'Roots' is Cables Biggest Overall Miniseries Debut in Three Years
A+E Networks' premiere of its four-night Roots reboot saw 5.3 million viewers tune in across History, A&E and Lifetime on Memorial Day, and over three telecasts saw an average of 8.5 million viewers.
This makes it the biggest cable miniseries audience opening in three years, since the four-part Bonnie & Clyde saw 9.8 total viewers back in 2013. Roots however has fallen short of that series' 4.2 million viewers in the adults 25-54 demographic.
Roots was no match, however, for 2012's Hatfields and McCoys, which saw 13.9 million total viewers. Nor did it come close to 2013's The Bible, which saw 13.1 million.
The new series begins with the abduction in Africa of Kunta Kinte, plaed by Malachi Kirby, and the series spans decades through and beyond the American Civil War.
“This project has helped shape the discourse around race and identity at a time when it is needed more than ever. We are looking forward to audiences continuing to experience this powerful and important event over the next three nights,” Nancy Dubuc, President & CEO of A+E Networks said today in a statement.
Source: Deadline
