‘Helix’ Premiere Sets Syfy Ratings Record

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

Syfy’s horror series Helix infected viewers even after its Jan. 10 premiere as the series garnered the network’s highest viewership in the days after its debut.

The series, which follows the aftermath of a potential outbreak in the Artic, averaged 2.8 million total viewers based on Nielsen L+3 ratings, the highest debut for any Syfy original series since Nielsen first recorded L+3 in 2007, according to network officials.

Helix’s 90-minute premiere episode drew 1.8 million viewers in its Jan. 10, 10 p.m. debut and benefited from a 24-hour marathon that ran through Jan. 11 at 10 p.m. Overall, the series reached 9 million unduplicated viewers during the 24-hour period, according to 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.