New York— More than 10 million viewers tuned in the premiere of VH1’s “Celebreality” programming block.
The July 10 premiere of Hogan Knows Best, where World Wrestling Entertainment star Hulk Hogan grapples with family issues, pulled a 1.9 rating against adults 18 to 49 (1.9 million of those watchers) at 10 p.m. that night, according to Nielsen Media Research data. That made it the highest-rated premiere ever for the network against that advertiser-coveted group, as Hogan beat the debut of The Surreal Life 4 by 18%, according to network officials. The show was basic cable’s best against that demo on July 10, said VH1 executives.
Hulk’s blockmate, The Surreal Life 5, also pinned plenty of 18-to-49-year-olds, notching a 1.5 mark (1.6 million viewers) against the demo at 9 p.m. That total for the show, featuring Bronson Pinchot (Beverly Hills Cop), ex-slugger Jose Canseco and Omarosa (The Apprentice), was the sixth-best in the net’s history.
The season premiere of Celebrity Fit Club 2, showcasing the fat-burning efforts of actor Gary Busey (Point Break), comedian Victoria Jackson and Wendy “The Snapple Lady” Kaufman, scored a 1.4 against the demo (1.5 million watchers), good for eighth in the network’s ratings pantheon, and a 34% jump over the series’ initial installment.
All told, VH1 officials said 10.2 million viewers tuned in for Celebreality.
