HBO Lands Ratings Jab With Mike Tyson Special

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

HBO’s special Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth drew a modest 882,000 viewers in its Nov. 16 premiere, the network announced Tuesday.

The Spike Lee-produced special, an adaptation of the former heavyweight champion’s one-man Broadway show, drew 1.8 million viewers over the weekend including several re-airings, according to network officials.

HBO also scored with the series finale of its baseball-themed comedy show Eastbound & Down, which drew a season-high 899,000 viewers Sunday night and 1.2 million viewers across additional plays, said the network.

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.