TNN Viewership Spikes During Strip

Spike Lee may be causing problems for The New TNN, but Stan Lee, Pamela Anderson, Kelsey Grammer and John Kricfalusi did wonders for its ratings Thursday night when the cable outlet debuted its new adult animation block known as The Strip. The “first network for men” has been aggressively promoting its new animated lineup, which no doubt also benefited from the publicity generated by the high-profile court battle still raging.

A total of 1.4 million viewers tuned in for the entire two-hour block, making it the network’s highest-rated premiere ever. Stan Lee’s Stripperella, starring Pamela Anderson, racked up the highest numbers with two million curious individuals dialing up to see the former Baywatch babe’s animated alter-ego in action. The block saw an 83% rise among males 18-49 and a 200% ratings increase among males 18-34 compared to the same period last year. It came in second only to ESPN’s NBA draft coverage among these key male demos.

The premieres of John Kricfalusi’s Ren & Stimpy Adult Party Cartoon and Gary the Rat each averaged well over a million total viewers and boasted double-and-triple-digit demo increases over last year. Beginning at 10:00 p.m., Ren & Stimpy averaged 1.4 million total viewers, while Gary the Rat‘s 10:30 p.m. bow averaged 1.3 million total viewers.

A classic episode of The Ren & Stimpy Show followed the block at 11:30 p.m. and averaged 898,000 total viewers.