The launch of A&E's new original series "Beyond Scared Straight" premiered Thursday night at 10PM ET/PT with a record-breaking 3.7 million total viewers and 2.2 million adults 18-49 and 2.1 million adults 25-54, making it the most-watched original series launch in the network's history among all key demos.
The 90-minute series premiere witnessed growth each half hour climbing from 3.4 million viewers at 10PM to 3.8 million at 10:30PM and finishing with 3.9 million viewers at 11:00PM. "Beyond Scared Straight" also grew from it's strong 9:00PM lead-in, a premiere episode of "The First 48" (2.7 million total viewers) by 32% in total viewers, 57% in adults 18-49 and 50% in adults 25-54. New episodes of "Beyond Scared Straight" air weekly Thursdays at 10:00PM ET/PT. An encore of the series premiere episode will air this Saturday at 8:00PM ET/PT.
"We could not be more proud to have undertaken this groundbreaking series and the audience response is extremely rewarding," said Bob DeBitetto, President and General Manager of A&E Network and BIO Channel. "'Beyond Scared Straight' truly exemplifies our unique brand of highly engaging programming with a focus on excellent storytelling and first-class auspices."
The success comes on the heels of strong performances by A&E original series this week including the most-watched episode of the hit series "Storage Wars" to date, which garnered 2.8 million total viewers on Wednesday night, and the season finale of "Hoarders" on Monday night, which drew 3.0 million total viewers.
"Beyond Scared Straight" is executive produced by Arnold Shapiro and based on his Academy Award and multiple Emmy-Winning documentary "Scared Straight!" The series profiles modern day youthful offender programs around the country that put at-risk teens of all ethnicities into intensive one-day in-prison sessions that show them the unfiltered realities of life behind bars. The goal is that one up close and personal day in prison will keep them out forever.
