TruTV's 'Hardcore Pawn: Chicago' Gives Network Best Launch Ever

Hardcore Pawn is no one-trick pony. The TruTV series' Chicago-based spinoff premiered to record numbers Tuesday night.

our editor recommends

TruTV Greenlights 'Tosh.0'-Style Clip Show with Shaquille O’Neal (Exclusive)

The first episode pulled in 2.1 million viewers at 9:30 p.m., just beating the previous network record of 2 million set by Hardcore Pawn in 2010.

Hardcore Pawn: Chicago also bested previous series openers in key demos, nabbing 1 million adults 18-to-49 and 602,000 men in the demo.

As for the parent series, Hardcore Pawn remains on top. A new episode, which aired at 9 p.m. and gave Chicago a hefty lead-in, drew 2.8 million viewers. In the demos, the show brought in 1.4 million in 18-to-49 and 827,000 men in the demo.

Jan. 1 now ranks as TruTV's second-most-watched Tuesday night ever in total viewers.