Animal Planet Special Draws 1.6M Viewers

Animal Planet's Pit Bulls and Parolees special this past Saturday drew a series record 1.6 million viewers, the network said Wednesday.

The show’s Giving Thanks special also set series records among adults 18-49, adults 25-54, women 18-49, and women 25-54, said network officials.

As part of the telecast, the network along with Cox Communications donated $50,000 in donations toward the Villalobos Rescue Center in New Orleans through the “You Watch. We Give.” initiative.

The show also drew big social media numbers, making it the second most-social program on TV during the day, said network officials.   

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.