RATINGS RAT RACE: Strong Demo Debut For ABC Family's 'Melissa & Joey', Series Highs for USA Network's 'Covert Affairs'

Paul Lee’s tenure at ABC Family is ending on a high note. The last new series ordered under the former ABC Family president and current ABC Entertainment Group president, comedy Melissa & Joey, premiered last night as ABC Family’s biggest ever series debut among adults 18-49, 1.3 million. Melissa & Joey drew 2.2 million viewers overall, No.6 among all ABC Family series premieres and the most watched comedy series debut ever for the cable network.

Meanwhile, USA’s freshman Covert Affairs sealed its renewal by hitting series highs across the board last night, including total viewers (5.4 million, up 4% from last week), adults 18-49 (2.3 million, up 15%). Its lead-in, sophomore White Collar was also up, posting best total viewer and 18-49 numbers since its winter premiere (4.5 million, up 12%, 1.9 million, up 33%)