Last night’s season 3 premiere of STARZ original series, “Power,” shattered its second season premiere record, as well as established several new all-time high performances for STARZ viewership.

STARZ made the decision to shift all its original programming to Sunday nights, which has long been established as the home of premium television, and began with the third season premiere of “Power.”

Starz President and CEO Chris Albrecht said, “We are thrilled ‘Power’ continues to be a force in its third season with this record setting performance – something very few shows ever achieve. We are proud to say the show is must-watch TV and has helped to establish STARZ as a Sunday destination for viewers.”

The season 3 premiere, which was directed by George Tillman Jr., set the following STARZ viewership records (via press release from the network):

— 2.26 Million Live+SD viewers gave the third season premiere episode of “Power” a new STARZ viewership record, with the July 17 9PM ET/PT airing, the most ever for a STARZ Original series.

— 830,000 (+58%) increase in viewers compared to last season’s “Power” season two return premiere telecast (1.43M Live+SD).

— 720,000 (+47%) increase in viewers compared to the “Power” season two finale episode viewership (1.54M Live+SD).

— 800,000 (+55%) increase in viewers compared to “Outlander” Season Two return (1.46M Live+SD), the previous STARZ record holder for most viewership of an original series episode or season premiere.

— 3.37 Million Live+SD premiere night viewers in total over the three Sunday night airings, the most ever for an originals series season premiere (“Power” Season Two premiere night Live+SD viewership 2.72 million; +650,000 or +24% increase in viewers).

— “Power” Season Three premiere was No. 2 in Nielsen Twitter TV daily ratings all day Sunday.

ALSO READ: CREATOR/SHOWRUNNER COURTNEY A. KEMP AND ‘POWER’ CAST TALK SEASON 3, LESSONS LEARNED & WHERE SERIES IS HEADED

(Source: Nielsen).

Note: all data is Live+SD (same-day) DVR viewing only. Does not include viewership for any on-demand or online platforms including the STARZ app, STARZ on Amazon, etc.

”Power” airs in more than 175 countries/territories worldwide.

“Power” season three is ten episodes long and airs exclusively on STARZ at 9PM ET/PT.

“Power” is created and executive produced by Courtney A. Kemp and executive producer Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson.