The 44th NAACP Image Awards, which were broadcast live on NBC on Friday Feb. 1, got its biggest audience and ratings numbers since 2009.

The show, which was produiced by Django Unchained producer, as well as writer/director, Reginald Hudlin, and Brad Lachman, grew by 29% in the coveted 18-49 year old demographic, and 13% in total viewers, hitting a four year high with total viewers overall.

As a result of the strong lead in, NBC's Dateline, which followed the Image Awards, saw its overall ratings jump up an average 7% on Friday evening as well.