'Downton Abbey' Gives PBS Highest Ratings Since 2009

The season 2 finale of Downton Abbey ended on a high note last Sunday – it was PBS’ highest-rated program since National Parks, which premiered in September 2009!

The British period drama’s finale scored 5.4 million viewers, a 30 percent increase from the 4.2 million who tuned in for the season’s premiere. THR notes that the record number “doesn’t even include DVR, online streaming or station replays.”

“PBS and our member stations are so pleased that such a large audience is enjoying this great work from Masterpiece,” PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger said in a statement.

“From viewing parties to Twitter mentions, Downton Abbey is riding a wave of public enthusiasm, and it’s been wonderful to see so many people discovering public television as a destination for programming that’s smart, distinctive and entertaining,” she added.