21 Years Ago Today: A Fox Thriller Debuted To 10.5 Million Viewers And Earned An Immediate Full Season
In 2005, this new show became an instant hit with its two-hour premiere, prompting the initial episode run to be extended from 13 to 22 episodes.
On August 29, 2005, Fox aired the two-part premiere of Prison Break to an audience of 10.5 million viewers. This impressive debut was especially strong among the coveted 18-to-49 age demographic. Although Fox executives were initially skeptical about the serialized format, the strong ratings encouraged them to extend the first season from 13 to 22 episodes.
The show's early success prompted Fox to pursue a more drama-centric approach, in contrast to other networks attempting to launch hit shows like Lost. Despite initial doubts from critics, Prison Break found itself in the same league as the long-running hit 24, which later enjoyed a successful five-season run. However, Prison Break's longevity was limited, with the series ultimately being canceled in its fourth season after failing to maintain its ratings momentum. Despite this, Prison Break left a lasting cultural impact and was eventually revived in 2017.
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