Corporate Press Release Theater: Fringe Benefits

Turns out The J. J. Files had a fairly auspicious debut last night, and Fox lets the advertisers know how many people weren't watching all those ads that they cut to let the show run longer!

The series debut of FRINGE from 8p-9:30 posted a 3.2/9 among Adults 18-49, making this the network's highest-rated drama series debut in Total Viewers in two years (excluding premieres following sports and American Idol - since Standoff on 9/5/06.) FRINGE also outperformed last year's Bones season premiere in the time period (Tue/8-9p, 9/25/07) in Total Viewers (+6%, 9.0 vs. 8.5 Mil.) while winning its 8p-9:30 time period among Adults 18-49, Adults 18-34/25-54, all key male demos and Women 18-49.

I think that's good, anyway. I mean, (1) "highest-rated drama series debut in Total Viewers in two years"? Wow, you mean it beat K-Ville?! And (2) 9.0 million total viewers? That's not even Joe Biden numbers.

Still, the fact is that live network viewership has dropped so precipitously in the past couple seasons that I'm not quite sure what's good anymore. And one would have to suspect that this is a better-than-average show among DVR time-shifters.

Also, I understand you can watch the show for up to six hours after you're dead.