Downton Abbey Season 3 Premiere Gets Huge Ratings

Posted on January 7, 2013

An average audience of 7.9 million viewers tuned in for Sunday's premiere of season three of Downton Abbey. The Masterpiece Classic historical drama aired on PBS and WGBH.

This was a big jump from last year's premiere, with garnered 4.2 million viewers. Deadline.com says only CBS was able to PBS in the time slot. The premiere can also be viewed online here.

PBS president and CEO Paula Kerger, said in a statement, "Downton Abbey' continues to enthrall audiences nationwide, and this season is especially riveting with the addition of Shirley MacLaine to the cast and the lively interaction between her and Maggie Smith. I'm so pleased that audiences have returned to Downton Abbey on their local stations to continue to enjoy some of the best drama on television."