Eye-Popping Stats: 'Duck Dynasty' Premiere Becomes 'No. 1 Nonfiction Series Telecast in Cable History

These numbers are likely to give you a quack attack.

If anyone ever doubted the power of wholesome television and family values, the stats for A&E's hit show "Duck Dynasty" and its season four premiere will completely shatter the arguments of the detractors.

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 08: President and General Manager of A&E Networks and BIO, Robert DeBitetto poses with the cast of 'Duck Dynasty' at the A+E Networks 2013 Upfront on May 8, 2013 in New York City. Credit: Getty Images for A+E Networks

According to numbers sent to TheBlaze by the network, the show's hour-long, Wednesday-night episode became the "number one nonfiction series telecast in cable history," garnering 11.8 million viewers.

But the eye-popping numbers don't end there. A&E notes that the episode also "set a cable record for a nonfiction series telecast among adults 25-54 with 6.3 million viewers in the demo." For those familiar with cable ratings, that demo is considered the most important one.

There's still more, though.

It was also watched by "6.3 million adults 18-49 and 3.0 million adults 18-34" and the "series had more total activity across all major social media platforms than any other telecast on cable or broadcast for the night."

As if that wasn't enough: "The season four premiere ... grew by 37% in total viewers, 29% in adults 25-54 and 26% in adults 18-49 versus the record-setting season three premiere," the release says.

Get the picture? In other words, the show is a major hit, and you can bet the hyperbole that "everyone was watching it" on Wednesday night actually has a lot of truth to it.

“Thanks to its authentic and engaging characters ‘Duck Dynasty’ has become more than just a reality show, it is a cultural phenomenon,” said David McKillop, General Manager and Executive Vice President of A&E.  “We would like to thank the Robertsons for their incredible partnership.  We are all Happy, Happy, Happy.”

"Duck Dynasty" airs every Wednesday on A&E at 10pm ET.

--

Other must-read stories:

• ‘Duck Dynasty’ Brother Reveals Why He Was Kicked Out of a New York City Hotel This Week
• Is ‘Duck Dynasty’ Losing One of Its Big Stars?
• ‘Duck Dynasty’ Family Announces New Project You’ll Probably Want to Buy
• Rumor Check: Did ‘Duck Dynasty’ Star Phil Robertson Really Say A&E Asked Family to Tone Down Prayer and Guns? (We Talked to Them)