‘Duck Dynasty’ draws 8.5 million viewers for 5th season return, down from 4th-season premiere

NEW YORK, N.Y. – Nielsen says “Duck Dynasty” drew 8.5 million viewers for its fifth-season premiere.

That audience was slightly higher than for October’s fourth-season finale of the A&E reality show. But last summer, 12 million viewers caught the fourth-season premiere.

Set in Louisiana bayou country, “Duck Dynasty” follows a family that manufactures duck calls and loves to go bird hunting.

Wednesday’s airing gave viewers their first fresh look at the series since it got caught up in an uproar.

Phil Robertson, the family patriarch, was briefly suspended by A&E after GQ magazine quoted him declaring that gays are sinners and African-Americans were happy under Jim Crow laws. Supporters of Robertson’s right to voice his opinions flocked to his defence before the network reinstated him.

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

Related Articles