HGTV said its Sunday (July 20) premiere of new renovation-competition series Flipping The Block (pictured) was one of the best ever at the network, averaging 1.6 million viewers during its 9 p.m. time slot, part of the highest-ever rated Sunday for the Scripps Networks outlet.
Flipping the Block, produced by Authentic Entertainment and featuring HGTV and DIY Network's Josh Temple (House Crashers), Nicole Curtis (Rehab Addict) and Scott McGillivray (Income Property), also drew a 0.81 rating among viewers ages 25-54. Beachfront Bargain Hunt, with two episodes starting at 8 p.m., garnered a 0.92 rating in the 25-54 bracket, "a 'best-ever performance' for the series and a 61% increase over recent levels," HGTV said. The first episode averaged 1.9 million viewers and the second averaged 2.1 million, the network said.
Overall, HGTV averaged a 0.73 primetime rating among viewers ages 25-54 and delivered its highest Sunday primetime rating since March 2011, the network said. On a total day basis, the network said it attracted more than 15 million viewers.
"To launch a brand new primetime series on the most competitive night of the week and have it propel HGTV to the No. 1 spot among women and the highest rated Sunday ever in total day is exactly the kind of performance that our sponsors and partners want to see," Kathleen Finch, president, HGTV and DIY Network, said in a release. "We know what's at stake and have worked toward this outcome for months. Top 10 never gets tired."
HGTV also said the 7:30 p.m. episode of Flip or Flop had a 1.07 rating among viewers ages 25-54. Nielsen live-plus-same-day figures report 2.035 million viewers on average for that episode.
