When speaking of the success that ‘Star Trek: Discovery’ has already had in driving CBS All Access subscriptions, we described that as one of several metrics by which the success of the new series could be gauged. Now, with the release of the initial ratings for the show’s broadcast premiere, we have another of those criteria available to us. And it is likewise looking good.
According to the initial figures, Sunday’s broadcast premiere of ‘Star Trek: Discovery’ garnered 9.6 million viewers and a 1.9 rating among adults aged 19-49. CBS anticipates that these numbers will jump to 15 million viewers and a 3.0 rating once the so-called live plus seven ratings are available. The live plus seven numbers represent the final determination of a show’s audience and allows for the inclusion of time-shifted viewing through such methods as DVR recordings.
To be clear, these numbers refer specifically to the ‘The Vulcan Hello’, which was broadcast on CBS. It does not include ‘The Battle at the Binary Stars’, the first episode to be released exclusively through the CBS All Access streaming service. Nor does it include the All Access numbers for ‘The Vulcan Hello’.
Ultimately, though, it will be the All Access viewing figures that make all the difference. Though we don’t yet know how those are shaping up, we do know that ‘Discovery’ is already being credited with a record number new All Access subscriptions. While that may not be the whole story, it’s hard to see it as anything other than a good start, given CBS’s stated goal of boosting subscriptions from 1 million to 4 million by 2020.
For more on ‘Star Trek: Discovery’, you can get more information on where and how to watch the series, check out our review of ‘The Vulcan Hello’, delve into its place in ‘Star Trek’ continuity, or get the early word on a potential second season. Be sure to check back for even more as the season progresses!
‘Star Trek: Discovery’ stars Sonequa Martin-Green, Doug Jones, Shazad Latif, Anthony Rapp, Mary Wiseman, Jason Isaacs, and Michelle Yeoh. New episodes drop Sundays at 8:30 Eastern on CBS All Access.
