‘Grease: Live’ Grows to Over 14 Million Viewers in Delayed Viewing
It turns out “Grease: Live” is the word.
According to Nielsen estimates released Friday, the live Fox musical grew 20 percent in live-plus-three viewing, up to 14.6 million viewers. That number includes VOD, Hulu, and Fox NOW. The special was also available on Fox.com but that data was not immediately available.
“Grease: Live” landed 12.2 million viewers when it aired on Jan. 31, handing Fox first place in both overall audience size and the key 18-49 demographic with a 4.3 rating.
Also Read: 'Grease: Live' Review: Fox Musical Was Smooth as Greased Lightning
The special also bested NBC’s latest live TV musical, “The Wiz Live,” in both the main demo and across total viewers. “The Wiz Live” had earned a 3.3 demo rating and 11.1 million total viewers on a December Thursday, when it had NFL football to contend with on CBS.
“Grease: Live” also delivered Fox’s highest-rated and most watched Sunday with entertainment programming since the 2003 Emmy Awards.
Among the most re-watched moments of the show was the performance by Vanessa Hudgens, who went on stage despite losing her father to cancer just 24 hours before showtime. Hudgens dedicated her performance to his memory.
Also Read: Vanessa Hudgens Dominates 'Grease: Live' Twitter Chatter
TiVo Research rankings also found that the smooth T-Birds performance of “Greased Lighnin'” was another fan favorite moment. At exactly 8 o’clock, the fellas made an impressive costume change, as does the titular car.
“Grease: Live” was executive-produced by Marc Platt. Thomas Kail oversaw the stage direction and Alex Rudzinski served as the live television director.
Broadway writers Robert Cary and Jonathan Tolins penned the live television adaptation. The Paramount Television production is based on the original musical “Grease” by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, and Paramount Pictures’ 1978 feature adaptation.
Fox will air a special encore of “Grease: Live” on Easter Sunday, March 27.
Related stories from TheWrap:
'Grease: Live': 7 Best Toe-Tapping Moments (Videos)
Ratings: Fox Gets 12.2 Million Viewers Hopelessly Devoted to 'Grease: Live'
Vanessa Hudgens' Heartbreaking Solo Leads 10 Most Re-Watched 'Grease: Live' Moments
