Continuing its momentum, WGN America scored double-digit, year-over-year ratings growth, increasing +16% in Total Viewers and +14% among Adults 25-54 in prime, led by hit originals “Outsiders” and “Underground.”
The network also unveiled a new teaser for the highly anticipated second season of the critically acclaimed Underground Railroad thriller “Underground,” premiering Wednesday, March 8 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. Currently available in 80 million homes, the network is set to expand its distribution by nearly three million homes this month.
The announcement was made today by Matt Cherniss, President and General Manager, WGN America and Tribune Studios, at the network’s presentation to the Television Critics Association at their Winter Press Tour at the Langham Hotel in Pasadena.
“We have grown our primetime audience, expanded distribution and elevated the network as a destination for programming that explores what it means to live in America today,” said Cherniss. “This past year we posted our highest gains since launching our original programming strategy, and that’s a strong testament to the popularity of our two newest originals ‘Outsiders’ and ‘Underground.’”
The first season of “Underground” averaged 3 million Total Viewers in Live + 3 delivery, with the premiere shattering records as the most watched original program for the network in nearly 18 years. The series also set Twitter ablaze as the #1 most social cable drama on Wednesday nights. “Outsiders’” freshman season averaged a remarkable 2.8 million Total Viewers, and this season, the world of the Farrells expands with a next-day after-show, available on theStream.tv, as well as the official “Outsiders” Facebook page and YouTube channel.
— “Underground” Season Two
Premieres Weds, March 8 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT
Season two of the 10-episode, hour-long series follows an unremitting struggle for freedom within a divided America on the brink of civil war, each side vying to enact their own justice. Set in the aftermath of the Macon 7’s daring attempt to stage the greatest escape in history, this group of American heroes continues on their harrowing journey to freedom, with legendary abolitionist Harriet Tubman.
The celebrated “Underground” cast includes: Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Aldis Hodge, Jessica de Gouw, Alano Miller, Christopher Meloni, Amirah Vann and Marc Blucas.
History truly comes to life this season with guest stars Aisha Hinds in the pioneering role of Harriet Tubman and John Legend as renowned abolitionist Frederick Douglass. Additional guest stars include Jasika Nicole, DeWanda Wise, Michael Trotter, Jesse Luken and Sadie Stratton.
From Sony Pictures Television, “Underground” is created and written by Misha Green and Joe Pokaski, who serve as Executive Producers alongside director Anthony Hemingway; Akiva Goldsman of Weed Road Pictures; Tory Tunnell and Joby Harold of Safehouse Pictures; John Legend, Mike Jackson and Ty Stiklorius of Get Lifted Film Co; and Mark Taylor.
Season two of the gripping original drama wrapped production last month in Savannah, Georgia.
WGN has released a brand-new trailer for the series’s upcoming new season; watch it below:
