NBC’s Smash Debuts with Healthy Numbers

After months of anticipation, NBC’s buzzed-about musical drama series, Smash, debuted on February 6 to 11.5 million viewers, according to Entertainment Weekly. The pilot episode had also been available for online viewing during the weeks leading up to the night's premiere. 

The new series, which aired after NBC's singing competition The Voice, was the third-highest rated new drama debut of the season and scored the highest ratings in the 10PM time slot of any drama this season overall. The episode experienced a slump in its second half hour, dipping from a 4.2 rating to a 3.8, but based on the ratings of some of NBC’s other debuts this season, most notably The Playboy Club (1.6), Prime Suspect (1.4), Grimm (2.1) and The Firm (1.8), Smash delivered a strong showing for the network.

Smash is a musical drama that takes a behind the scenes look at the making of a Broadway musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe. The series stars Debra Messing (Will & Grace), Tony nominee Christian Borle (Legally Blonde: The Musical), Tony nominee Brian d'Arcy James (Shrek the Musical), Katharine McPhee (American Idol), Megan Hilty (9 to 5: The Musical), Oscar winner Anjelica Huston (Prizzi's Honor) and Jack Davenport (Pirates of the Caribbean).

Keep checking back on Broadway.com for Smash coverage.