TBS's 'The Real Gilligan's Island' draws more than 7 million viewers

The launch of TBS' new reality show "The Real Gilligan's Island" drew an audience of more than 7 million viewers, Daily Variety said Thursday.

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The paper said 4 million tuned in for the premiere at 8 p.m. Tuesday, and another 3.2 million tuned in for encore airings at 10 p.m. on TNT and 11 p.m. on TBS.

"The Real Gilligan's Island" is the first original programming breakout hit for TBS since it rebranded itself earlier this year as a destination for viewers looking for comedy.

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The 8 p.m. telecast beat Fox and UPN in adults 18-49. It also beat all the broadcast networks except CBS among men 18-49.

"The Real Gilligan's Island" features two sets of castaways -- contestants playing characters from the 1960s TV show -- competing in a series of "Survivor"-type challenges. The group will be narrowed down to a final cast of seven -- Gilligan, the Skipper, Ginger, etc. -- who will then see if they can do better than the 1960s crew in getting off the island.