Sons of Anarchy returned with a vengeance Tuesday night, as the second season premiere episode of FX’s critically acclaimed hit drama series stormed out of the gate with all-time series’ high ratings across the board.
The season two premiere (9/8/09, 10 PM ET/PT) scored 4.29 million total viewers and 3.03 million Adults 18-49. Its delivery of 1.97 million Men 18-49 is the most ever for a single telecast of an FX series, and it was also the most of any basic cable series in 2009.
This marks a +95% increase in Adults 18-49 against the season one premiere episode (3.03 million vs. 1.55 million, 9/2/08), the largest increase of any FX original series from a first to a second season. Nip/Tuck posted a +33% in its second season.
Based on Live+Same Day comparison, last night’s premiere registered +94% increases among total viewers over the season one average (2.21 million). Based on Live+Same Day comparison, last night’s premiere registered +107% increases among Adults 18-49 over the season one average (1.46 million).
On a time-shifted viewing comparison (Live+Seven ratings vs. Live+Same Day) ratings, in season one Sons gained an average of 18% in Total Viewers (2.61 million vs. 2.21 million), and gained an average of 20% among Adults 18-49 (1.75 million vs. 1.46).
