‘The Challenger Disaster’ Simulcast Draws 1.9 Million Viewers

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

Discovery Channel and Science Channel’s Nov. 16 simulcast of the movie The Challenger Disaster drew 1.9 million viewers, according the networks.

The movie, which stars William Hurt and chronicles the events following the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger explosion, drew more than 1.2 million viewers on Discovery and 730,000 viewers for Science Channel, according to Nielsen.

For Science Channel, The Challenge Disaster was the most watched program in 2013 and the third-most watched show in the network’s history, according to network officials.

Overall, more than 5 million total unique viewers watched The Challenger Disaster across several  runs on both networks over the weekend, said Discovery.

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.