Mermaids might not be — OK, let's face it, definitely aren't — real. However, the mythical creatures of the sea delivered a very real ratings victory for Animal Planet on Sunday.
"Mermaids: The New Evidence" — Animal Planet's follow-up to last May's "Mermaids: The Body Found" — premiered as the most-watched telecast in the network's history, drawing 3.6 million total viewers with its 10 p.m. airing.
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Animal Planet's previous most-watched telecast, 2005's "Dragons: A Fantasy Made Real," scored 2.8 million total viewers.
"The phenomenon of 'Mermaids' has truly been a watershed – and a watercooler – moment for Animal Planet," Animal Planet president and general manager Marjorie Kaplan said of the ratings performance.