12 million viewers tuned in to the revived 1980s television contest

By Stacey Silberman

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 1/8/08 – “American Gladiators” took the kind of prize that NBC needed in it’s two-hour debut Sunday, giving a ratings boost where needed for the struggling network. It ranked as the network’s highest-rated new show debut since “Heroes” premiered in September 2006.

It hit the 18-49 demographic with vigor, getting a 5.9 rating/14 share, giving advertisers the target demographic that’s worth the big ad dollars. And now it is the highest rated new series debut on all networks this season.

“Cashmere Mafia,” which debuted on ABC, had a tear in its fabric, and came in behind the last completed “Desperate Housewives” episode, which wrapped just short of the writers strike.

According to Nielsen results as stated in the Hollywood Reporter, “Housewives” brought about 19.8 million viewers, with “Cashmere” following the show at 10pm with approximately 10.7 million viewers. It lost some steam throughout the show and dropped 15% within the first and second half-hour of the show. Apparently, viewers lost interest and tuned-out. The ensemble series is set to move to its slated Wednesday time slot.

Winning the night was Sunday’s football on CBS with 15.3 million viewers. ABC followed with 12.8 million viewers and then NBC with 11.2 million.