TNT's The Closer Draws 7.2 Million Viewers, While Rizzoli & Isles Nabs 6.4 Million in Sizzling Summer Premieres

TNT Airs Sneak Peek of Dallas, New Series Set to Debut in Summer 2012

The top two series on cable returned Monday night to exceptional numbers, led at 9 p.m. by The Closer, which entered its seventh season with 7.2 million viewers in Live + Same Day delivery, making it basic cable's biggest drama audience of the year-to-date. The Closer was followed at 10 p.m. by the second-season premiere of Rizzoli & Isles, which scored 6.4 million viewers. The outstanding deliveries for the two series brought a strong audience to a sneak peek of TNT's new series Dallas. The first-ever look at the new Dallas premiered during The Closer before going live online at http://DallasTNT.com.

"The blockbuster premieres of The Closer and Rizzoli & Isles last night are the latest in a string of successes for TNT," said Michael Wright, executive vice president and head of programming for TNT, TBS and Turner Classic Movies (TCM). "With The Closer and Rizzoli & Isles joining the epic drama Falling Skies, TNT is once again home to the summer's biggest hits."

The Closer, starring Emmy winner Kyra Sedgwick, will conclude its seven-season run in 2012. Among key adult demos, Monday night's seventh-season premiere drew with 1.8 million adults 18-49 and 2.4 million adults 25-54 in Live + Same Day.

Rizzoli & Isles, which stars Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander, launched last year as cable's top series. Among key adult demos, Monday's second-season premiere drew 1.5 million adults 18-49 and 2.1 adults 25-54. Both series are expected to rise significantly through time-shifted viewing.

A civil lawsuit, a major departmental reorganization, a new boss and an unexpected tragedy are just a few of the tough issues facing the Los Angeles Police Department's Major Crimes unit in the extended final season of The Closer. Kyra Sedgwick returns as Deputy Police Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson, a top-notch investigator whose career may now be on the line as a result of her frequently unorthodox methods. The Closer's seventh season will feature 10 episodes this summer, with additional episodes in winter and the conclusion of the series in 2012. The Closer will be followed next year by the new series Major Crimes. Created by James Duff, The Closer is produced for TNT by The Shephard/Robin Company, in association with Warner Bros. Television.

Based on characters created by best-selling crime novelist Tess Gerritsen, Rizzoli & Isles stars Angie Harmon as Jane Rizzoli, a tough-as-nails Boston police detective, and Sasha Alexander as Maura Isles, a smart, impeccably dressed medical examiner from a privileged background. Despite being complete opposites, the two women share an offbeat chemistry and strong working relationship that has helped them bust some of Boston's most notorious criminals. Rizzoli & Isles is produced for TNT by Warner Horizon Television, Janet Tamaro's Hurdler Productions and Bill Haber's Ostar Productions.

Photo Credit: TNT