Over 1.3 million Canadians bought into the CBC venture capitalist reality series Dragon’s Den Wednesday night. The fourth season premiere was the highest-rated episode in the series history.
Dragon’s Den reruns have been breathing fire for weeks leading into the series return. While interest in the series was already keen, it probably doesn’t hurt that BBM Canada’s new Personal People Meter data seems to be favouring “event” television.
Dragon’s Jim Treliving, Arlene Dickinson and Robert Herjavec partied with CBC execs and ad folks at downtown Toronto’s Bier Markt launch party last night along with host Dianne Buckner. Cranky capitalist Kevin O’Leary (above left), who, along with Herjavec, does double duty on Mark Burnett’s ABC series Shark Tank, was a no-show but apparently has a heated exchange with one of the product pitchers next week.
CBC doubled up on the order for this series, shooting season’s four and five at the same time this winter/spring, ensuring a longer run for the series. Good call.
Dragon’s Den‘s 1,320,000 topped even Rick Mercer’s tally Tuesday night as CBC starts seeing some PPM love. Other big winners Wednesday night: CBC got off to a fast start at 7 with Wheel of Fortune (1,052,000) and Jeopardy! (1,078.000). The Tudors seduced another 835,000. The 10 p.m. National News is starting to inch up, clocking 687,000 (down to 471,000 in the bottom half of the hour).
CTV had a monster night: SYTYCD Canada 1,115,000; America’s Next Top Model 1,307,000; Criminal Minds 2,597,000; CSI: NY 2,770,000 and the CTV News at 11 1,358,000.
Global stayed solid with Bones 1,975,000 and already renewed for a full season Glee 1,361,000. Melrose Place faded to 412,000.
New sitcoms Hank (203,000) The Middle (200,000) barely sampled on A while City scored higher with their much funnier new ABC comedies Modern Family (558,000) and Cougar Town (638,000). A’s Eastwick (436,000), with devilish Canuck Paul Gross, was beat by City’s Jay Leno Show (455,000). Sportsnet drew another 582,000 to see Doc Halladay smoke the Red Sox on Sportsnet.
RETURNING TONIGHT: The season premieres of Private Practice (ABC, A, 10/9c) and Saving Grace (Showcase, 11/10c).
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