The ratings are in, and BET’s highly anticipated three part biopic The New Edition Story has broken records. Most noteworthy, part 1 and 3 are now the most watched and highest rated telecasts in the last five years.
Nielsen reports that the Live +3 ratings, which are a measurement of the live viewing plus DVR viewing up to three days, for the premiere were 3.3 million viewers among adults age 18-49 and 5.5 million total viewers on BET alone. Part two drew in 3.1 million viewers adults age 18-49, 5.3 million on BET and Part Three brought in 3.3 million viewers among adults age 18-49, and 5.6 million on BET alone.
Overall, the biopic brought in 28.4 million viewers through its original run and the encores that played during the weekend. The biopic had the most social media activities all three nights of its premiere.
The miniseries covered the ups and downs of the R&B group New Edition. It took viewers on a journey that followed the group from the Orchard Park Projects in 1978 to BET’s 25th Anniversary Special in 2005. The adult cast included Hollywood vets Bryshere Y. Gray, Elijah Kelley, and Luke James. As well as newcomers Keith Powers, Algee Smith, and Woody McClain. Chris Robinson, best known for directing the film ATL, directed the three part miniseries. Members of the group co-produced the film with Jesse Collins, producer of Real Husbands of Hollywood.