The Flash has found quick success on the CW.
The Grant Gustin-led superhero drama premiered Tuesday night to 4.54 million viewers and a 1.8 rating in the 18 to 49 demographic, giving the network its most-watched series debut in five years, according to preliminary numbers made available by Nielsen.
[seealso URL="http://sale-online.click/2014/10/07/the-flash-premiere-recap/"]
The Arrow spin-off also ranked as the CW's third most-watched series premiere of all time, bested only by the numbers delivered by The Vampire Diaries in 2009 and the 90210 reboot in 2008.
The Flash was the second of three new comic book-inspired shows debuting on broadcast TV this fall. Fox's Gotham premiered in late September to 8 million viewers and a 3.2 rating in preliminary ratings, eventually rising to a 5.0 rating after three days of time-shifted viewing was added.
More than ever this season, it has become common practice for networks to boast about delayed viewing ratings once counted, as it's not unusual for shows to see as much as 50% bumps.
NBC's Constantine, based on the Hellblazer comics, does not debut until Oct. 24.
Meanwhile, ABC's Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., which began its second season in late September, bowed to 5.6 million viewers and a 1.9 rating in early ratings, eventually rising to a 3.2. Arrow premieres Wednesday night.
Marvel will debut Daredevil on Netflix some time next year.