The two-hour premiere of History's scripted miniseries The
Bible drew 13.1 million total viewers from 8-10 p.m. on Sunday.
The 13.1 million falls below partsone and three of last year's three-part miniseries Hatfields & McCoys,
which drew 13.9 million and 14.3 million respectively. Bible tied part two
of Hatfields, which also drew 13.1 million viewers. The two-hour debut
also averaged 4.6 million adults 25-54 and ranks as the top cable entertainment
telecast of the year, surpassing AMC'sThe Walking Dead.Across two plays, The Bible averaged
14.8 million total viewers and 5.6 million adults 25-54.
The Bible will air over the next four Sundays.
Following The Bible, History launched its first-ever
scripted series Vikings to 6.2 million total viewers to become the year's top
cable series launch among total viewers and adults 25-54. The premiere episode
also drew 2.5 million adults 18-49 and 2.7 million adults 25-54. Across two
plays, Vikings drew 8.3 million total viewers; 3.4 million adults 18-49
and 3.8 million adults 25-54.
The network also said that History.com had its best-ever day
of activity on Sunday.
