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FX's Critically Acclaimed Series THE AMERICANS Gains 58% in Total Viewers

Proving once again that initial Live+Same Day ratings tell only a fraction of the story, episode 2 of FX's critically acclaimed new drama series The Americans gained an astounding +58% in both Total Viewers and Adults 18-49 with Live+3 data, propelling the episode to a very successful mark, and a mark that will achieve even greater success with the inclusion of Live+7 data in approximately three weeks.

With the inclusion of Live+3 data, episode 2 of The Americans (2/6/12, 10:00-11:06P) stands at 3.11 million viewers and 1.69 million Adults 18-49, an addition of 1.15 million Total Viewers and 622,000 Adults 18-49 over Live+Same Day delivery. The Live+3 gains mitigate the Live+Same Day decline five points overall to -27% in Adults 18-49 from premiere to episode 2, and the decline will decrease further with the inclusion of Live+7. In addition, the decline is off of what is certain to be the most-watched series premiere in FX history.

These Live+3 time-shifted percentage gains are significantly higher than the Live+3 percentage growth of recent FX shows from premiere to episode two: American Horror Story +31% (P) to +37% (ep. 2); Justified +14% (P) to +24% (ep. 2), and Sons of Anarchy +12% (P) to +11% (ep. 2) respectively.

The Live+3 percentage increase for the series premiere episode of The Americans set a record for an FX series premiere episode with a +44% jump on Total Viewers (3.22 million to 4.63 million) and a +48% gain in A18-49 (1.57 million to 2.34 million). When Live+7 data is available, the series premiere of The Americans will become the most-watched series debut in FX history (Justified, 4.94 million, 3/16/10).

In tomorrow's third episode, "Gregory" (Airs Wednesday, February 13 at 10:00 PM E/P), Philip and Elizabeth discover that their murdered colleague Robert had a wife they never knew about. As they try to determine what she knows and where her allegiance lies, Stan's investigation into Robert's death puts him hot on their trail. (Written by Joel Fields; directed by Thomas Schlamme)

The Americans is a period drama about the complex marriage of two KGB spies posing as Americans in suburban Washington D.C. Shortly after Ronald Reagan is elected President. The arranged marriage of Philip (Matthew Rhys) and Elizabeth Jennings (Keri Russell), who have two children - 13-year-old Paige (Holly Taylor) and 10-year-old Henry (Keidrich Sellati), who know nothing about their parents' true identity - grows more passionate and genuine by the day, but is constantly tested by the escalation of the Cold War and the intimate, dangerous and darkly funny relationships they must maintain with a network of spies and informants under their control. Complicating their relationship further is Philip's growing sense of affinity for America's values and way of life. Tensions also heighten upon the arrival of a new neighbor, Stan Beeman (Noah Emmerich), an FBI agent. Stan and his partner, Agent Chris Amador (Maximiliano Hernández), are members of a new division of Counterintelligence tasked with fighting against foreign agents on U.S. soil, including KGB Directorate S illegals, Russian spies posing as Americans.

About FX

FX is the flagship general entertainment basic cable network from Fox. Launched in June of 1994, FX is carried in more than 98 million homes. The diverse schedule features a growing roster of critically acclaimed and award-winning hit dramas series Sons of Anarchy, Justified and The Americans; the miniseries American Horror Story: Asylum; and the acclaimed hit comedy series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The League, Louie, Archer, Wilfred, Legit, BrandX with Russell Brand and Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell. The network's library of acquired box-office hit movies is unmatched by any ad-supported television network. FX's other offerings include the acquired hit series Two and a Half Men and How I Met Your Mother, and live sports with the UFC and NCAA football.

Source: Nielsen