DVRs Propel "Rizzoli & Isles" to 8.7 Million Viewers and "The Last Ship" to 7.7 Million Viewers

Blockbuster Series Solidify Chart-Topping Positions

Robust DVR usage has pushed the season premiere of Rizzoli & Isles to 8.7 million viewers in Live + 7 delivery, while the launch of The Last Ship has grown to 7.7 million viewers in Live + 7. The success cements the chart-topping positions for both shows, with Rizzoli & Isles ranking as basic cable's #1 summer series among total viewers and The Last Ship sailing high as basic cable's #1 summer series among key adult demos and cable's #1 new series for the year-to-date.

Time-shifted viewing scored big deliveries for TNT's entire slate of summer dramas, including Major Crimes, which drew 6.5 million viewers in Live + 7 for its June 16 episode; Falling Skies, which grabbed 5.9 million viewers in Live + 7 for its June 22 installment; and Murder in the First, which drew 4.9 million viewers in Live + 7 for its June 16 episode.

With the latest data included, TNT now claims six of basic cable's Top 10 summer series, including all Top 3:

#1 Rizzoli & Isles: 6.5 million viewers for the summer-to-date (Live + 7 blended)
#2 The Last Ship: 6.2 million viewers
#3 Major Crimes: 5.9 million viewers
Falling Skies: 4.5 million viewers
Murder in the First: 3.9 million viewers
Perception: 3.5 million viewers

TNT also claims four of basic cable's Top 5 summer series with adults 25-54:

#1 The Last Ship: 2.3 million adults 25-54
Rizzoli & Isles: 2.0 million adults 25-54
Falling Skies: 1.9 million adults 25-54
Major Crimes: 1.7 million adults 25-54

And among adults 18-49, TNT now holds three of the Top 5 spots:

#1 The Last Ship: 1.9 million adults 18-49
Falling Skies: 1.6 million adults 18-49
Rizzoli & Isles: 1.6 million adults 18-49

TNT summer dramas are pulling in significant portions of their audiences through time-shifted viewing. DVR usage brought the season premiere of Rizzoli & Isles an additional 2.9 million viewers over its Live + Same Day delivery, while The Last Ship increased its premiere delivery by 2.4 million viewers. Here's a rundown of how TNT's summer dramas are shaping up in terms of time-shifted viewing:

Rizzoli & Isles: +2.9 million viewers in Live + 7 vs. Live + Same Day
The Last Ship: +2.4 million viewers
Falling Skies: +2.2 million viewers
Major Crimes: +2.0 million viewers
Murder in the First: +1.8 million viewers
Perception: +1.8 million viewers

About TNT

TNT is television's destination for drama. Seen in 101 million households and ranking among cable's top networks, TNT is home to such original drama series as Rizzoli & Isles, Major Crimes, Falling Skies, The Last Ship, Murder in the First, Perception, Dallas and Franklin & Bash. TNT's upcoming slate of original scripted dramas includes Legends, The Librarians, Public Morals, Proof and Transporter The Series, which will make its U.S. television debut on the network this fall. TNT also features such dramatic unscripted series as Cold Justice and the upcoming On the Menu and Wake Up Call. In addition, TNT is the cable home to popular dramas like Hawaii Five-0, Castle, The Mentalist, Bones and Supernatural; primetime specials, such as the Screen Actors Guild Awards(R); blockbuster movies; and championship sports coverage, including NASCAR, the NBA and the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship.

TNT is part of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company. Turner Broadcasting creates and programs branded news; entertainment; animation and young adult; and sports media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.