Nellie Andreeva

UPDATE: A&E‘s Duck Dynasty is becoming a Jersey Shore-size ratings monster. The reality series’ Season 3 premiere not only set all-time records for A&E, it also edged broadcast juggernauts Modern Family and American Idol to rank as the No.1 telecast on all of television last night among adults 18-49. In a photo finish, Duck Dynasty‘s 10 PM telecast posted 4.995 million adults 18-49 in Live+same day, followed by Modern Family (4.987 million) and American Idol (4.945 million). A&E was the No.1 TV network in the 10 hour last night among 18-49 and 25-54, also beating its broadcast competition.

PREVIOUS NOON: The back-to-back Season 3 premiere episodes of A&E Network‘s hit reality series Duck Dynasty were the most-watched telecast of all-time at the network in total viewers and all key demos. Last night’s 10 PM episode drew 8.6 million total viewers, 5 million adults 18-49 and 5 million adults 25-54. For the hour, the episodes averaged 8.6 million total viewers, 5 million adults 18-49 and 4.9 million adults 25-54. Overall, the premiere was up by 132% in total viewers, 127% in 18-49 and 117% in 25-54  compared with the Season 2 bow.

Duck Dynasty is produced for A&E Networks by Gurney Productions. Executive producers for Gurney Productions are Deirdre Gurney and Scott Gurney executive produce with David McKillop, Elaine Frontain Bryant and Lily Neumeyer for A&E.

TV Editor Nellie Andreeva - tip her here.