New York, NY – BBC AMERICA’s first original scripted series COPPER, which premiered on Sunday, August 19, has become the channel’s highest-rated series premiere ever. COPPER delivered 1.8 million* viewers in total audience.

In its 10:00pm premiere, COPPER attracted 1.1 million** total viewers and delivered over half a million in A25-54.

Perry Simon, General Manager, Channels, BBC Worldwide America commented: “This is a great result for BBC AMERICA, as our distribution continues to grow – now approaching 80 million homes. The response to COPPER has been tremendous and we’re off to a promising start.”

In addition, BBCAMERICA.com attracted its highest ever traffic with nearly a quarter of a million*** unique visitors on Sunday, August 19.

From executive producers Academy Award®-winner Barry Levinson, Emmy®-winner Tom Fontana, Academy Award®-nominee Will Rokos and Cineflix Studios President, Christina Wayne, the drama series follows Detective Kevin Corcoran (Tom Weston-Jones, MI-5) – a rugged Irish immigrant cop – as he seeks justice for the powerless in 1864 New York City.  In the second episode premiering Sunday, August 26, 10:00pm ET, Detective Corcoran struggles to find a safe haven for a young girl in danger while trying to bring her sister’s killer to justice. In the mansions of uptown New York, a scheme is hatched to purchase the entire Five Points.

COPPER is a Cineflix (Copper) Inc. production in association with BBC AMERICA. COPPER is created by Tom Fontana and Will Rokos. Executive producers include Barry Levinson, Tom Fontana, Will Rokos, Christina Wayne, Jim Finnerty, Sherri Rufh, Sam Berliner, Sally Catto and Katherine Buck.

* Cume of 10:00pm premiere and three consecutive replays, 8/19/12

** 1,107,000 P2+ and 514,000 P25-54

Source: Nielsen Media Research, 8/19/12, Live + Same Day

***244,000 unique visitors in total

Source: Google Analytics (US); August 19, 2012; Total US audience

The trailer for this Sunday’s episode, “Husbands and Fathers,” is available here.

COPPER photos are available to download here.

COPPER Mugshot Yourself app is available here.

BBC AMERICA’s COPPER is across: BBCAmerica.com, Tumblr, Twitter (#CopperTV),YouTube and Facebook.