Producer Ryan Murphy’s anthology miniseries, "American Horror Story," has paid big dividends for the FX network, as his newest installment, "American Horror Story: Freak Show," has been rewarded with a 13-episode order for the fifth and next installment of the series, which will debut in October 2015 – it was announced today by John Landgraf, CEO, FX Networks and FX Productions.
The premiere telecast of "American Horror Story: Freak Show" has become the most-watched single program in FX’s 20-year history, and that includes all programs. "AHS: Freak Show’s" debut delivered 10 million Total Viewers, 6.54 million Adults 18-49, and 4.08 million Adults 18-34, surpassing the network’s previous record holder, the recent seventh and final season premiere telecast of the hit drama series "Sons Of Anarchy" on Sept. 9th (9.25 million Total Viewers and 6.1 million Adults 18-49). "American Horror Story: Coven" held all previous records in delivery Adults 18-34.
The premiere and two encore telecasts of "American Horror Story: Freak Show" combined to deliver 13.36 million Total Viewers, 8.6 million Adults 18-49 and 5.25 million Adults 18-34.
“The ‘American Horror Story’ anthology has had the highest growth trajectory of any show in FX history, not to mention an unprecedented track record of success in awards recognition,” said Landgraf. “With Ryan Murphy and his partners, Brad Falchuk, Dante Di Loreto and Tim Minear at the helm, the show’s success is not surprising. AHS continues to deliver amazing stories, a brilliant troupe of actors led by Jessica Lange, and a visual style unlike any other on TV. With Nip/Tuck, Glee, The Normal Heart, and American Horror Story, Ryan Murphy has established himself as one of the most successful and prolific producers of this generation. We expect AHS: Freak Show and the next incarnation of AHS to further his legacy.”
The premiere ratings for "American Horror Story: Freak Show" topped the premiere episode of last year’s third installment of the franchise, "American Horror Story: Coven," by +38% in Total Viewers (10 million vs. 7.27 million), +29% in Adults 18-49 (6.54 million vs. 5.07 million), and +40% in Adults 18-34 (4.08 million vs. 2.92 million).
The premiere ratings for "American Horror Story: Freak Show" topped the 13-episode average of "merican Horror Story: Coven," by +53% in Total Viewers (10 million vs. 6.53 million), +44% in Adults 18-49 (6.54 million vs. 4.55 million), and +61% in Adults 18-34 (4.08 million vs. 2.53 million).
Since its launch in 2011, compared with the average of its full first installment, "American Horror Story: Murder House," the franchise has grown +148% in Total Viewers (4.03 million), +119% in Adults 18-49 (2.98 million) and +127% in Adults 18-34 (1.79 million).
AHS: Freak Show has 12 all-new episodes airing Wednesdays at 10 PM ET/PT through January. In Wednesday night’s episode, “Massacres and Matinees” (Oct. 15), a citywide curfew threatens to shut down the Freak Show. Dell Toledo (Michael Chiklis), a strongman from Ethel’s (Kathy Bates) troubled past arrives at camp. Gloria (Frances Conroy) arranges a terrifying play date for Dandy (Finn Wittrock). The Tattler Twins (Sarah Paulson) reveal a talent that could knock Elsa (Jessica Lange) from the spotlight. Written by Tim Minear; Directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon.
Last week, FX announced the spin-off anthology miniseries of "American Horror Story," titled "American Crime Story," beginning with the 10-episode "American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson," which starts production in 2015.
Meanwhile, down the hall, FOX has ordered 6 more episodes of this fall’s breakout new drama series, "Gotham," it was announced today by Dana Walden and Gary Newman, Chairmen and CEOs of Fox Television Group. The announcement raises the series order to 22 episodes.
“’Gotham’ debuted as one of the most buzzed-about shows of the fall, and with good reason. Bruno Heller and Danny Cannon have created an incredibly rich world, with characters that draw you in and a cast that brings to life these heroes and villains in a way we’ve never seen before,” said Walden and Newman. “We are so excited to see where Bruno, Danny and the entire ‘Gotham’ team take this story over the course of this season, and so thankful to all the fans who have embraced it this fall.”
‘Gotham’ is tied as Monday night’s No. 1 drama among Adults 18-49, and is this season’s No. 1 broadcast drama overall among Men 18-49 – a full rating point ahead of the No. 2 drama in that demographic. The debut episode, which exploded into Premiere Week with a 6.0/18 rating among Adults 18-49, outperformed “Blacklist” and “Scorpion” and delivered FOX’s highest-rated fall drama debut in 14 years. In addition, "Gotham’s" premiere episode drew 14.1 million viewers in the first seven days and has been streamed more than two million times to date on FOX NOW and Hulu. The show’s second and third episodes continued this positive trend, making it one of the Top Three dramas overall on broadcast television this season.
In the next all-new episode of "Gotham," titled “Arkham,” airing tonight (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX, a contentious city council vote on the future of the Arkham district approaches, and politicians on both sides are in danger. Gordon (Ben McKenzie) and Bullock (Donal Logue) must race to protect the council. Meanwhile, Oswald Cobblepot (Robin Lord Taylor), who has already been christened “The Penguin,” takes violent measures to further ingratiate himself with Maroni (guest star David Zayas), and an old friend pays Gordon a visit.
"Gotham" is an origin story of the great DC Comics Super-Villains and vigilantes, revealing an entirely new chapter that has never been told. From executive producer/writer Bruno Heller (“The Mentalist,” “Rome”), it follows one cop’s rise through a dangerously corrupt city teetering between good and evil, and chronicles the birth of one of the most popular super heroes of our time. The entirely new, untold chapter stars Ben McKenzie (“Southland,” “The O.C.”), Donal Logue (“Vikings,” “Sons Of Anarchy”) and Jada Pinkett Smith (“Hawthorne,” “Collateral”).
