The CW series Arrow, an adaptation of DC Comics Green Arrow, performed exceptionally well in the ratings this week as the series’ second episode matched the show’s premiere ratings in the key 18-34 and 18-49 demographics.  The second episode drew 3.5 million viewers down from the premiere’s 4.1 million, but the losses were confined to the over 50 crowd (see "'Arrow' Sets CW Viewing Records"), since the show’s 18-34 rating (up to 1.2 from a 1.1 rating for the premiere).

 

It may be a little too early to call Arrow hit. Wednesday night was not as competitive as normal as a baseball rain delay on Fox meant that Arrow didn’t have to face a normal X-Factor.  Still the show appears to be performing well and though it trailed Survivor on CBS and The Middle and Neighbors on ABC, Arrow actually beat the NBC comedies Animal Practice and Guys With Kids.

 

While network promotions can get viewers to sample new series, the hard part is keeping that premiere audience around and Arrow has done a good job of that. In 2006 a series based on Marvel’s Blade comics debuted on cable network Spike TV with a big audience of over 2.5 million, but viewership was down for the second episode and the series was cancelled after just one season (13 episodes, see "'The Complete Blade TV Series'").