American Horror Story Renewed For Fifth Season After Freak Show Breaks Records

American Horror Story has been renewed for a fifth season after the record-setting performance of the, premiere episode of Freak Show. FX has announced that that American Horror Story will return with a 13-episode fifth installment in October 2015.

With Live+3 time-shifted viewing, the premiere telecast of American Horror Story: Freak Show has become the most-watched single program in FX's 20-year history, including all programs with Live+7 deliveries. Freak Show's debut delivered 10 million Total Viewers, 6.54 million Adults 18-49, and 4.08 million Adults 18-34, surpassing the network's previous record holder, the recent seventh and final season premiere of Sons of Anarchy(9.25 million Total Viewers and 6.1 million Adults 18-49). American Horror Story: Coven held all previous records in delivery Adults 18-34.

The premiere and two encore telecasts of American Horror Story: Freak Show combined to deliver 13.36 million Total Viewers, 8.6 million Adults 18-49 and 5.25 million Adults 18-34.

"The American Horror Story anthology has had the highest growth trajectory of any show in FX history, not to mention an unprecedented track record of success in awards recognition," said John Landgraf, CEO, FX Networks and FX Productions. "With Ryan Murphy and his partners, Brad Falchuk, Dante Di Loreto and Tim Minear at the helm, the show's success is not surprising. AHS continues to deliver amazing stories, a brilliant troupe of actors led by Jessica Lange, and a visual style unlike any other on TV. With Nip/Tuck, Glee, The Normal Heart, and American Horror Story, Ryan Murphy has established himself as one of the most successful and prolific producers of this generation. We expect AHS: Freak Show and the next incarnation of AHS to further his legacy."
 
The premiere ratings for American Horror Story: Freak Show topped the premiere episode of American Horror Story: Coven by +38% in Total Viewers (10 million vs. 7.27 million), +29% in Adults 18-49 (6.54 million vs. 5.07 million), and +40% in Adults 18-34 (4.08 million vs. 2.92 million).

The premiere ratings for American Horror Story: Freak Show topped the 13-episode average of American Horror Story: Coven, by +53% in Total Viewers (10 million vs. 6.53 million), +44% in Adults 18-49 (6.54 million vs. 4.55 million), and +61% in Adults 18-34 (4.08 million vs. 2.53 million).

Since its launch in 2011, compared with the average of its full first installment, American Horror Story: Murder House, the franchise has grown +148% in Total Viewers (4.03 million), +119% in Adults 18-49 (2.98 million) and +127% in Adults 18-34 (1.79 million).

AHS: Freak Show has 12 all-new episodes airing Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT through January.