July 11, 2013 – FX's critically acclaimed new drama series The Bridge got off to a very good start last night as the premiere (10:00-11:31 PM) and first encore telecasts (11:31 PM-1:01 AM) combined to deliver 4.12 million Total Viewers. The premiere telecast delivered 3.04 million Total Viewers and 1.16 million Adults 18-49.
The audience delivery of The Bridge was on par with the debut of FX's most recent drama series, The Americans (1/30/13, 10:00-11:38 PM), which posted a combined audience of 4.23 million Total Viewers for its premiere and first encore telecast – a difference of -2%.
"We could not be prouder of this amazing series which has garnered such incredible critical recognition," said John Landgraf, CEO, FX Networks and FX Productions. "Meredith Stiehm and Elwood Reid have delivered a rich tapestry of intrigue and passion, and a story fraught with tension and suspense. And we're so lucky to have Demian Bichir and Diane Kruger who so convincingly and appealingly embody their roles. We're grateful to our partners at Shine America and can't wait for audiences to see what happens next."
It is important to note that the Live+Same Day audience for the premiere telecast of The Americans amounted only to 32% of the final 10.0 million Total Viewers delivered by linear telecasts, VOD, and online viewership.
Also by comparison, the HUT/PUT levels in the Wednesday,10:00 PM hour are significantly lower in July than in January (-7% or 8 million fewer Total Viewers, and -11% or 5 million fewer Adults 18-49 [July 2012 vs. Janaury 2013]).
In total FX will air eight additional encore telecasts of the series premiere episode of The Bridge:
Thursday, July 11 – Midnight
Friday, July 12 – 3:00 AM
Saturday, July 13 – 12:30 AM
Monday, July15 – 1:00 AM
Tuesday, July 16 – 1:00 AM
Wednesday, July 17 – 12:26 AM
Friday, July 26 – 11:00 PM
Friday, August 16 – 10:00 PM
FOX International Channels is a partner on The Bridge and will launch the show globally immediately following the U.S. premiere. The Bridge will premiere in 122 countries across all continents in 35 languages all at the same time.
The Bridge is a present-day crime thriller exploring the tensions on the US-Mexico border. When an American judge known for her anti-immigration views is found dead on the bridge connecting El Paso and Juarez, Sonya Cross (Diane Kruger) from El Paso PD must work with her Mexican counterpart from Chihuahua State Police, Marco Ruiz (Demian Bichir), to catch a serial killer operating on both sides of the border. Marco understands the slippery politics of Mexican law enforcement, and while his police force slowly succumbs to the pressures and demands of the cartel, he's one of the last good men in the department. He's charming, but also cunning as he will do whatever it takes to get what he needs. This does not sit well with Sonya, who has Asperger's and strictly follows rules as well as protocol. Her candid and off-putting personality fuels an unforgiving drive for truth. The case quickly pulls them into a string of murders on the border, a scene already consumed by illegal immigration, drug trafficking, violence and prostitution.
Based on an international hit series, the pilot for The Bridge was adapted for American television by Meredith Stiehm (Homeland) and Elwood Reid (Hawaii Five-0). The Bridge is executive produced by Stiehm and Reid, alongside Carolyn Bernstein, Lars Blomgren and Jane Featherstone. Gerardo Naranjo directed the pilot episode. The Bridge is a co-production of Shine America and FX Productions.