FX’s American Horror Story franchise has scared up a Season 5 order, in the wake of Freak Show‘s opening night delivering freakishly large numbers.
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With Live+3 DVR playback now factored in, Freak Show‘s premiere telecast drew 10 million total viewers, with 6.5 mil landing in the 18-49 sweet spot. That surpasses previous record holder Sons of Anarchy (whose final season opener last month did 9.3 mil/6.1 mil) to stand as the most watched telecast in FX’s 20 year history.
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With same-night encores added in, Freak Show‘s premiere — which earned an average grade of “B+” from TVLine readers — amassed 13.4 million viewers, with 8.6 mil landing in the demo.
The newly ordered, 13-episode Season 5 will premiere in October 2015.