Ratings: ‘The Day of the Jackal’ is Sky’s biggest original launch EVER

The Day of the Jackal has become Sky’s biggest launch in over two years, attracting a record-breaking audience of 3 million viewers in its first week, making it the most successful Sky Original to date. The 10-part thriller, produced by Carnival Films and starring Eddie Redmayne, Lashana Lynch, and Úrsula Corberó, premiered on 7th November with impressive overnight ratings of 711,000. Since its debut, the series has continued to captivate audiences, reaching a seven-day total of 3 million viewers. It will premiere on Peacock in the US on 14th November, with new episodes dropping weekly every Thursday.

The series has already sold to nearly 200 territories worldwide. This includes SkyShowtime in Europe, Disney+ in Latin America, Amazon Prime Video in France, Corus in Canada, TVNZ in New Zealand, JioCinema in India, WOWOW in Japan, Wavve in South Korea, Showmax and M-Net in Sub-Saharan Africa, OSN in the Middle East and North Africa, and Binge in Australia, where it has already become the platform’s biggest new series launch this year.

Meghan Lyvers, Executive Director of Original Scripted at Sky UK and Ireland, expressed her excitement:

“We are thrilled by the phenomenal global reception of The Day of the Jackal. This series has captivated audiences with its propulsive storytelling, epic scope, and unforgettable performances from Eddie Redmayne, Lashana Lynch, and Úrsula Corberó. Becoming Sky’s biggest Original to date is a true reflection of the passion, dedication, and masterful artistry poured into every scene.”

Carnival Films’ Executive Producers Gareth Neame and Nigel Marchant also celebrated the success:

“The overwhelming response to The Day of the Jackal has exceeded all expectations. Our goal was to bring a fresh perspective to this iconic story, and we’re thrilled to see how well it has been received both in the UK and around the world. This record-breaking success is a testament to the exceptional talent of Eddie Redmayne, Lashana Lynch, and the entire cast and crew.”

Produced by Carnival Films, part of Universal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group, the series was commissioned by Sky Studios and Peacock. NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution is handling international sales.

In the UK, Episodes 1-6 of The Day of the Jackal are currently available on Sky and streaming service NOW, with new episodes releasing weekly every Thursday. It premieres on Peacock in the US on 14th November, with a similar weekly release schedule.