“Dallas” Rides High in U.K. Premiere

(September 6, 2012 – London) – The highly anticipated premiere of “Dallas” on Channel 5 in the U.K. last night (September 5) delivered an impressive nearly three million total viewers (5.1 rating/13 share) in its 21:00(9:00 p.m.) timeslot, and ranked as Channel 5’s number one show for the night. In fact, the “Dallas” launch was the most successful U.K. debut of a US series (of the 2011/12 US season) in the U.K. to date, outperforming Channel 4’s “Homeland” premiere by +746,000 Total Viewers. “Dallas” proved to be appointment viewing as the audience increased by +67% over its “Celebrity Big Brother” lead-in. In addition, “Dallas” increased the number of viewers to the timeslot compared to the prior four week average (+72%) and the year ago average (+397%). An all-new series based upon one of the most popular television dramas of all time, “Dallas” centers on the bitter rivalries and family power struggles within the Ewing family, a Texas oil and cattle-ranching dynasty. Secrets, schemes and betrayals abound at the Southfork ranch, as the iconic elder Ewings are joined by the next generation, who take ambition and deception to another level. The new “Dallas” focuses on the offspring of bitter rivals and brothers J.R. and Bobby Ewing — John Ross, the son of J.R., and Christopher, the adopted son of Bobby — as they clash over the future of the Ewing empire in a battle for power, love and Southfork itself. Developed by Cynthia Cidre from the series created by David Jacobs, “Dallas” stars Josh Henderson, Jesse Metcalfe, Jordana Brewster, Julie Gonzalo, Brenda Strong, with Patrick Duffy and Linda Gray and Larry Hagman as J.R. Ewing. Cidre and Michael M. Robin are the executive producers of the series, produced by Warner Horizon Television and distributed around the world by Warner Bros. International Television Distribution. The U.S. premiere of “Dallas” on June 13, 2012, averaged nearly 6.9 million live + same day viewers on TNT, ranking (at the time) as the #1 scripted series premiere on all of cable for 2012 through that date. The series was quickly renewed for a second season of 15 episodes which will air on TNT in 2013 in the U.S. ###