True to its lineage as part of the Dutton verse, Yellowstone precursor 1883 provided a large crowd for the start of his cable car.
The Paramount+ series, which premiered in late 2021, will run for a full season this summer on the Paramount Network, drawing a lot of attention for its June 18 debut on cable outlets. The two-episode premiere drew 3.8 million viewers on its first night, including reruns and simulcasts on five other Paramount Global cable channels.
That’s a strong showing, especially considering that 1883 has been available to stream in its entirety for over a year. If it were a new series, it would be the most-watched script debut on cable since then The Walking Dead: World Beyond on AMC in October 2020.
But that’s a sign 1883 already held, as Paramount Network hosted the series premiere on December 19, 2021, to coincide with the streaming debut on Paramount+. The on-air broadcast drew just under 5 million viewers after an episode of Yellowstone and set a premiere record for the channel. At the time, Paramount said it was cable’s biggest series debut since then Fear the walking dead in 2015. Episode two brought in 4.31 million people for Paramount Network a week later before the rest of the series was streamed exclusively on Paramount+.
Created by Yellowstone mastermind Taylor Sheridan, 1883 follows the generation of the Dutton family who first establish what will become Yellowstone Ranch. Sam Elliott, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Isabel May, LaMonica Garrett, Marc Rissmann, Audie Rick, Eric Nelsen and James Landry Hébert star.
Sheridan executive produces with John Linson, Art Linson, David Glasser, Ron Burkle and Bob Yari. MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios produce.
