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‘Downton Abbey’ Concludes with 9.6 Million Viewers

Not a Series Record, but 14 Percent Above the Season Five Average

It was not a record. But the series-finale of “Downton Abbey” on PBS concluded with 9.6 million viewers on Sunday, March 6. Comparably, that was 14 percent above the season five finale (8.4 million in March 2015) and it was the most-watched season-ender of the period piece to-date.

“These six seasons of ‘Downton Abbey’ have truly been a fantastic ride for all of us in the public television family,” said PBS president and CEO Paula Kerger. “A sincere thank you to Carnival Films, MASTERPIECE, Gareth Neame and Julian Fellowes, and all of our member stations for their part in this tremendous success. Most of all, thank you to all of the loyal viewers whose enthusiasm and engagement with the show made ‘Downton Abbey’ a global sensation.”

“It’s incredibly hard to say good-bye to a show that has brought so much pleasure to so many people,” added MASTERPIECE executive producer Rebecca Eaton. “A huge thanks to everyone at ‘Downton’ — upstairs and downstairs, on-screen and behind-the-scenes. You’ve given us a historic piece of television. And, American viewers, please rest assured that, even after the sun sets on ‘Downton Abbey,’ MASTERPIECE will continue to shine on with the very best of British drama!” MASTERPIECE is presented on PBS by WGBH Boston.

Socially, more than 25,400 people sent 66,400 tweets about “Downton Abbey, resulting in 7.5 million impressions. Overall, the final episode was the most tweeted episode of the season and it was the second most social program during primetime.