PBS' MASTERPIECE MYSTERY! "Sherlock, Series 2" Uncovers Remarkable Ratings

- Premiere Episode Averaged 3.2 Million Viewers on PBS Stations Nationwide -

ARLINGTON, VA; May 7, 2012 -- PBS announced today that "Sherlock" has a welcome home in the 21st century - Sunday night's premiere of MASTERPIECE MYSTERY!'s second season averaged 3.2 million viewers, not including those viewing through station replays, DVRs or online streaming. (Nielsen Fast National data, 2.1 household rating.) The premiere of the second season of the BAFTA Award-winning series more than doubled the average PBS primetime rating (based on metered market averages). New episodes of "Sherlock" debut each Sunday night on MASTERPIECE through May 20.

"Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman have taken Sherlock and Watson to a whole new level," said MASTERPIECE executive producer Rebecca Eaton. "We're thrilled that viewers have responded so enthusiastically to this groundbreaking series."

"The updated 'Sherlock' is witty and engaging, breathing new life into the classic stories," said PBS senior vice president & chief TV programming executive John F. Wilson. "It's the perfect combination of IQ and GQ for the PBS audience."

PBS stations have brought viewers across the nation together for events dedicated to the new season, partnering with organizations across their communities for activities and screenings. Online, fans were given the opportunity to watch a sneak preview of the opening minutes of Series 2 on Facebook, beginning two weeks before broadcast; on May 2, a live-streamed fan Q&A from New York with actor Benedict Cumberbatch, co-creator Steven Moffat and producer Sue Vertue was shared across the Internet.

In addition, on May 6, nearly 15,000 fans checked in on the GetGlue entertainment social network, creating a social media reach of more than seven million people and earning the #3 trending spot on the site. Among the thousands of Sherlock tweets during broadcast, nearly 5,000 contained the official #SherlockPBS hashtag, according to social media monitoring service Meltwater Buzz.

The new season - which rejoins Sherlock and Watson in the midst of the nail-biting Series 1 conclusion - will be available on the PBS Video Portal after each national broadcast for a limited time (watch the premiere episode, "A Scandal in Belgravia," here). Both seasons can be purchased on shoppbs.org. More information about Sherlock can be found on pbs.org/masterpiece.

About Masterpiece

MASTERPIECE on PBS is presented by WGBH Boston. Rebecca Eaton is executive producer. Funding for MASTERPIECE is provided by Viking River Cruises, with additional support from public television viewers and contributors to The MASTERPIECE Trust, created to help ensure the series' future.

About WGBH

WGBH Boston is America's preeminent public broadcaster and the largest producer of PBS content for TV and the Web, including Masterpiece, Antiques Roadshow, Frontline, Nova, American Experience, Arthur, Curious George, and more than a dozen other prime-time, lifestyle, and children's series. WGBH also is a leader in educational multimedia, including PBS LearningMedia, and a pioneer in technologies and services that make media accessible to the 36 million Americans who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or visually impaired. WGBH has been recognized with hundreds of honors: Emmys, Peabodys, duPont-Columbia Awards - even two Oscars. Find more information at www.wgbh.org.

About PBS

PBS, with its nearly 360 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and online content. Each month, PBS reaches nearly 123 million people through television and more than 21 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS' broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry's most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. PBS' premier children's TV programming and its website, pbskids.org, are parents' and teachers' most trusted partners in inspiring and nurturing curiosity and love of learning in children. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the Internet, or by following PBS on Twitter, Facebook or through our apps for mobile devices.