'Suits,' 'Burn Notice' Launch Strong in the Ratings

Frank Ockenfels/USA Network

"Suits"

USA's Burn Notice and Suits launched last night to strong ratings.

Both dramas improved in all areas, specifically in the key adult demographics and total viewers -- a great sign considering the increase in competition on both cable and broadcast on Thursday.

Veteran spy drama Burn Notice, returning for its fifth season, improved 20 percent in total viewers, averaging 5.2 million at 9 p.m. And in the demos, saw double-digit boosts in 18-49 (up 15 percent, 2.3 million) and 25-54 (up 25 percent, 2.4 million) compared to last year's fall premiere.

Rookie series Suits, starring Gabriel Macht and Patrick J. Adams, retained 90 percent of Burn Notice's audience with 4.6 million at 10 p.m. for its series opener. Most importantly, compared to Fairly Legal's series debut, the law drama was up an impressive 47 percent in 18-49 with 2 million. In 25-54, Suits improved 34 percent with 2.1 million.

There had been talk that Suits may have been a better fit following third-season favorite White Collar with its "similar" concept, but USA believed that the Matt Bomer-Tim DeKay hourlong was a solid pair with Covert Affairs.

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