‘The Flash’ Premiere Sets CW Record in Final DVR Ratings

The Flash has set a record for The CW.

The Oct. 7 series premiere of the anticipated Arrow spinoff is the most-watched telecast in the network’s young history, rising to 6.83 million viewers in final live-plus-7 ratings — a 2 million viewer increase, or 41 percent jump, from its robust 4.8 million start.

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The Flash had already surpassed the previous record holder, the 2009 premiere of The Vampire Diaries, when its live-plus-3 ratings were factored in: 6.1 million viewers versus 5.66 million for the latter in live-plus-7.

Heavily marketed, The Flash also posted The CW’s highest-rated telecast ever among several key demographics: men 18-to-49 (3.2 rating) and men 18-to-34 (2.5). In the advertiser-coveted 18-to-49 demo, the comic-book drama’s first episode was the second-highest-rated ever with a 2.6, improving 39 percent from its same-day draw. Among younger viewers, The Flash jumped a similarly impressive 37 percent among the 18-to-34 set.

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The CW touts that across all platforms, including digital streams and encores, the first episode was seen more than 13 million times.

The CW rewarded The Flash with an early 23-episode full-season pickup just two episodes into its rookie run. On Tuesday’s episode, “Going Rogue,” The Flash stages its first Arrow crossover and welcomes Prison Break star Wentworth Miller as Captain Cold.

The Flash, led by Grant Gustin as the fastest man alive, is executive produced by Greg Berlanti, Andrew Kreisberg, David Nutter and Sarah Schechter. Warner Bros. TV and Berlanti Productions are behind the hourlong drama.

Email: Philiana.Ng@THR.com
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