By Paramount Network’s “Yellowstone” returned on Sunday with the back half of its fifth and final season, and in doing so delivered record-breaking ratings.
According to VideoAmp’s projected viewership numbers, the premiere brought in 16.4 million viewers in Live + Same Day gross viewership across all cable networks and CBS airings.
That’s the biggest premiere night ever for the series and an increase of 3% over the 15.9 million viewers who tuned into the premiere of the first half of the fifth season two years ago.
The premiere aired on Paramount Network and had subsequent airings and simulcasts occurring on CBS, CMT, Comedy Central, MTV and more.
SPOILERS AHEAD FOR “YELLOWSTONE” SEASON 5B PREMIERE
In the wake of the episode, the show’s former lead star Kevin Costner has responded to his character John Dutton’s death in the premiere.
The actor opted out of appearing in the final few episodes of the series and his character was killed off seemingly as though it was a case of suicide, but turns out to be the victim of an organised hit by Dawn Olivieri’s Sarah Atwood.
The actor himself doesn’t appear in the episode, but is mentioned in the credits. Appearing on Sirius XM’s The Michael Smerconish Program on Monday, Costner revealed he didn’t watch the premiere. In fact:
“Well, I’m going to be perfectly honest. I didn’t know it was actually airing last night. That’s a swear-to-God moment. I swear to God. I mean, I’ve been seeing ads with my face all over the place and I’m thinking, ‘Gee, I’m not in that one. I’m not in this season’… But I didn’t realize yesterday was the [premiere]. My focus has been on what I was having to do, and I’ve got a few calls to make… Sometimes I’m like just a passenger in my life, you know. There’s a lot going on.”
“Yellowstone” will continue airing Sundays on Paramount Network through to mid-December.
Source: TV Line
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