'Breaking Bad' Draws Record 2.9 Million Viewers

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Viewers tuned into the season five premiere of AMC's Breaking Bad in record numbers Sunday, with the series garnering nearly 3 million viewers.

The series, starring Emmy Award winning actor Bryan Cranston, averaged 2.9 million viewers in its July 15 season five debut, an increase of 14% comapred to last season's premiere, according to network officials. The series also generated a 34% increase among adults 18-49 viewers and a 28% increase within the adult 25-54 demo.

Overall Breaking Bad's season five debut delivered 3.5 million viewers with the 10 p.m. premiere and 11:30 p.m. encore showings, said network officials.

"From day one, Breaking Bad has been a passion project for all of us at AMC," said Charlie Collier, AMC's president in a statement. "This show has helped define what our brand stands for in terms of supporting quality storytelling and creative risk-taking. Working with these terrifically creative people on such outstanding material has been a joy-filled ride. I'm so pleased to share this success with the entire Breaking Bad team."

R. Thomas Umstead
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.