'Hatfields & McCoys' is a ratings record-setter

[June 01, 2012]  LOS ANGELES (AP) -- In the feud between the Hatfields and McCoys, the History channel proved the winner.

A miniseries about the warring families set basic cable viewing records, according to Nielsen Co. figures the channel released Thursday.

The three nights of "Hatfields & McCoys" were the top-rated entertainment telecasts ever for ad-supported basic cable, History said.

Wednesday's finale of "Hatfields & McCoys" was the most-watched of the three nights, with 14.3 million viewers. According to the History channel, that makes it the No. 1 non-sports and non-news program ever on ad-supported cable.

Parts one and two of the star-filled drama were right behind with 13.9 million and 13.1 million viewers, respectively.

Besides Kevin Costner and Bill Paxton, the miniseries' cast included Tom Berenger, Mare Winningham and Powers Boothe.

The previous top-rated basic cable entertainment program was TNT's 2001 Western drama, "Crossfire Trail," starring Tom Selleck and based on the Louis L'Amour novel.

"Hatfields & McCoys" starred Costner and Paxton as the patriarchs of the West Virginia and Kentucky clans whose violent clashes had roots in the American Civil War. The miniseries is to be released on Blu-ray and DVD July 31.

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Online:

http://www.history.com/

[Associated Press; By LYNN ELBER]

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