via press release:
Project Runway SURPASSES 4 MILLION VIEWERS
On the heels of having what fans, bloggers and writers called its best episode ever on August 26th, Lifetime’s Project Runway broke records last night by surpassing four million Total Viewers (4,002,000) and two million Adults 25-54 viewers (2,160,000) – up double digits vs. the Season 8 to date average -- making it the series’ most watched episode in the demos since its Season 6 finale on November 19, 2009. In its new, 90-minute format, half-hour impressions among Adults 25-54 grew throughout the entire episode last night, up from the first 30 minutes to the final half-hour (2,094,000 to 2,122,000 to 2,265,000), according to Nielsen Research. Additionally, Project Runway averaged 1,764,000 Women 18-49 viewers and 1,686,000 Women 25-54 viewers – both also series highs since the Season 6 finale and up double digits compared to STD. Project Runway generated a 3.1 Household rating yesterday. Season 8 of Project Runway is this year’s number one competitive un-scripted program on ad-supported cable among Women 18-49, Women 25-54, Women 18+ and Women 18-34.
Hosted by supermodel and fashion maven Heidi Klum, Project Runway provides budding designers with an opportunity to launch their careers in fashion, under the watchful eye of mentor and Liz Claiborne Chief Creative Officer Tim Gunn. Project Runway is produced by The Weinstein Company, Miramax Films, Bunim-Murray Productions and Full Picture. Executive producers include Bob and Harvey Weinstein (Co-Chairmen of The Weinstein Company), Jon Murray and Sara Rea of Bunim-Murray Productions, Heidi Klum, Jane Cha and Desiree Gruber of Full Picture, and JoAnn Alfano and David Hillman of Lifetime. Barbara Schneeweiss oversees the production on behalf of The Weinstein Company.
Why does this season seem to be doing so much better? Any ideas as to why from the fans?
i’m guessing the earlier time slot from 10p to 9pm may have helped.
as buzzy as bravo’s housewives’ franchise may be, an aging project runway still beats them–admittedly in total viewers, not the 18-49 demo–without the trashtastic tabloid trainwreck factor.
Because the contestants have personalities again. The first two seasons on Lifetime were really boring because no one was an outrageous personality like they were on Bravo. Without butting heads and crazy challenges, they’re just people making clothes; I’d watch my grandmother knit a sweater if that’s what I wanted to watch. No, we want to see people yelling, fighting, and breaking down on the runway. And that’s exactly what happened last week.
There was a long gap while Bravo and Lifetime fought it out over the rights to the show, that might have had some negative effect. Also people like me who never watch Lifetime needed to find the show again and get settled into a new cable channel. We didn’t see any of the promos if we were not watching Lifetime regularly.
The 90 minute format has allowed them to focus more in the cast and judging a good thing. Also they seem to have relegated the models portion of the competition to an afterthought. Interesting in light of who Heidi is. However, probably a good decision I think most viewers don’t care about the models at all.
I’m surprised because to me this is the worst season of the show. I don’t see myself bothering to watch the rest of this season. It’s been obvious for a while now that the judges are very biased and the judging is somewhat of a joke. I don’t like the longer format or the earlier hour to it. They seem to have eliminated all of the model input on the show. They also don’t seem to be able to schedule it so that they don’t end up having 10 of the contestants showing at Bryant Park. It’s ridiculous.