AMP in the post
The Hallmark Channel is working its magic yet again, with the best viewership for a season premiere of “When Calls the Heart” since it started back in 2014. While these types of high ratings do happen on cable, particularly with regards comedy shows, it is rare that a drama attracts such numbers. This is especially so with one that is now into its seventh season.
Hearties come out in force for ‘When Calls the Heart’
“When Calls the Heart” is popular with fans for good reason and at this rate, its ratings can only continue to grow, despite being a drama series. One noticeable exception to the rule was AMC’s classic drama “Breaking Bad,” a show which initially shocked viewers to the core. At first, ratings were pretty bad, but as time went by, fans caught on to the show and the ratings kept on growing.
Another example is AMC’s zombie drama, “The Walking Dead” a cable blockbuster that is hard to beat. While its ratings have declined a little in recent years, the show is still popular, even though it is now in its tenth season.
‘When Calls the Heart’ viewership
AMP in the post
On a totally different scale and theme to “Breaking Bad” and “The Walking Dead,” “When Calls the Heart” is undeniably a huge hit with viewers as well. The season 7 premiere aired on February 23 with strong numbers, with the Live+3 ratings being 3.0 household rating, 2.9 million total viewership and 427,000 women viewers between 25 and 54.
This viewership placed the Hallmark Channel as the No. 2 entertainment cable network for that week for households and women aged 18 and up. The series is also the No. 2 original scripted series this year on an ad-supported cable channel for households and women from 18 years and up.
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‘When Hope Calls’ adds to the good ratings
The premiere of Hallmark’s spinoff series, “When Hope Calls” also had an excellent performance. The show follows “When Calls the Heart” on Sunday evenings and debuted as the No. 3 scripted cable series of that week for women from 18 and up. The show had a 2.0 household rating, with 2 million total viewers, of which 248,000 were women from the age of 25 to 54.
AMP in the post
In an age where several popular shows have streamed on cable networks, this is no mean feat for the Hallmark Channel. As “When Calls the Heart” continues to have high viewerships and ratings, basic cable networks will continue to grow in popularity with viewers.
Watch “When Calls the Heart” on the Hallmark Channel on Sundays at 8 pm ET/PT, followed by the spin-off series “When Hope Calls” at 9 pm ET/PT.