The television ratings are in and one thing is certain: The Bible is hot.
The History network has a clear winner on its hands with the success of a new miniseries centered on the unforgettable parables plucked from The Good Book. From the life of Jesus to Noah’s ark, producers Mark Burnett and Roma Downey recount stories from the Bible using computer-generated imagery to offer new insight into the religious text.
The first installment of the series brought in 13.1 million viewers on Sunday (March 3), beating out both episodes of Fox’s [sinking] American Idol. After a re-airing later that night, the episode boasted approximately 14.8 million people and handed the network’s website its most visited Sunday ever.
“Clearly, the passion for this project has resonated with our viewers and across the nation,” said Nancy Dubuc, president of entertainment and media for the A&E networks. “We are thrilled, and the story is only just beginning.”
The Bible will air in four more installments, with the final episode on Easter Sunday (March 31).
