ABC Family’s `Lincoln’ Reaches Heights

ABC Family’s original drama series Lincoln Heights finished its sophomore season on a ratings high note, generating a series viewership record.

The Nov. 6 finale of the critically acclaimed series drew 1.7 million viewers and 927,000 adults 12-34, both season highs, according to the network. The season closer also ranked as basic cable’s number one program during its 8 p.m. time period in teens (499,000), female teens (423,000) and females 12-34 (271,000).

For its second season, the drama -- which follows the trials and tribulations of an African-American family returning to the rough-and-tumble neighborhood where the father, now a police officer, grew up -- averaged 1.4 million viewers, up 17% over the 1.2 million viewers for its first season. Lincoln Heights also posted ratings increases compared to season one in adults 18-34 (404,000 this year to last year’s 263,000) and adults 18-49 (661,000 vs. 510,000) and viewers 12-34 (771,000 vs. 563,000), according to Nielsen Media.

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.