History’s Lincoln Logs Ratings

The History Channel scored big with its three-hour Lincoln special on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Lincoln -- which profiles the presidential icon’s life through the filter of his lifelong depression -- averaged 2.8 million total viewers during its debut from 8 p.m.-11 p.m. Jan. 16, according to Nielsen Media Research data.

Network officials said the show averaged 1.4 million adult 25-54 watchers, boosting History to ad-supported cable’s second spot that night among that demo. Lincolnattracted 1.1 million adults 18-49 watchers to rank third among ad-supported cable with that group Monday.