"Downton Abbey" doubles PBS average primetime rating

The ratings for Sunday night's (Jan. 8) Season 2 premiere of "Downton Abbey" on Masterpiece Classic are in, with PBS doubling its average primetime rating as well as topping last season's numbers for the popular Edwardian costume drama by 18 percent, PBS announced. According to Nielsen, the premiere averaged 4.2 million viewers, or a 2.7 household rating, excluding station replays, DVRs or online streaming. Fans were provided with a sneak preview on PBS's Facebook page for two weeks leading up to the first episode; that received 100,000 views. In a press release, Rebecca Eaton, series e.p., said "Downton Abbey" "officially takes its place among the best of Masterpiece titles since the series began in 1971.”