More than one million viewers watch premiere episode of action-adventure drama set in Canada’s North, largest audience for premiere of a new CBC drama series in a decade
ARCTIC AIR, CBC-TV’s new blockbuster action-adventure drama anchored around a Yellowknife-based maverick airline and the extended family of unconventional people who run it, soared to record heights in its broadcast premiere Tuesday night with an audience of more than one million viewers along for the ride.
A total audience of 1.05 million Canadians tuned in (331,000 in the 25-54 demographic) making ARCTIC AIR the second new CBC-TV series of the winter season in as many nights to debut with over one million viewers (new comedy MR. D drew 1.23 million on Monday) - and the largest audience to watch the premiere episode of a new CBC-TV drama in a decade.
“This is just further proof of how strongly Canadians will embrace top-quality television that is made and set right here in our own country,” said Kirstine Stewart, CBC Executive Vice-President, English Services.
It was a solid night as well for CBC’s comedy stalwarts the RICK MERCER REPORT (837,000 total/271,000 25-54) and 22 MINUTES (666,000 total/214,000 24-54).
ARCTIC AIR features the star power of Adam Beach (Cowboys and Aliens, Flags of our Fathers, Law & Order: SVU), Pascale Hutton (Fringe, Rookie Blue, Sanctuary) and Kevin McNulty (The Killing, End Game, Battle Star Galactica).
For a full list of CBC’s winter programs, visit www.cbc.ca/seasonpreview
About CBC/Radio-Canada
CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada’s national public broadcaster and one of its largest cultural institutions. The Corporation is a leader in reaching Canadians on new platforms and delivers a comprehensive range of radio, television, Internet, and satellite-based services. Deeply rooted in the regions, CBC/Radio-Canada is the only domestic broadcaster to offer diverse regional and cultural perspectives in English, French and eight Aboriginal languages, plus seven languages for international audiences. In 2011, CBC/Radio-Canada celebrated 75 years of serving Canadians and being at the centre of the democratic, social and cultural life of Canada.
Arctic Air is…
On the web:
www.cbc.ca/arcticair
On Facebook:
www.facebook.com/CBCArcticAir
On Twitter:
Twitter.com/CBCArcticAir
For more information, please contact:
Erin Richards, Veritas Communications
richards@veritascanada.com
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(416) 416-627-5728 (cell)
