Singapore – Hannibal, which premiered on April 9 on Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia’s flagship channel AXN, was the number one programme in its timeslot among ad-supported channels in Southeast Asia and led the nearest competitor by 28%, according to Kantar Media Singapore/ Philippines and AGB Nielsen Media Research Malaysia.  

In Singapore, Hannibal’s premiere led its timeslot among international General Entertainment (GE) channels, garnering more than twice the ratings of the next GE channel. The premiere in Malaysia also topped its timeslot among international GE channels, with ratings that were 70% ahead of the closest competitor.

“Hannibal is off to a solid start and we are especially proud given that this is only our second scripted original production since The Firm. Everyone loves a good thriller, and this one has all the best ingredients – a meld of creative minds and a solid cast including Cannes Film Festival’s Best Actor of 2012, Mads Mikkelsen, who portrays Lecter with the perfect touch of cunning and sophistication,” said Ricky Ow, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Networks, Sony Pictures Television.

Helmed by artistic visionaries Bryan Fuller (Pushing Daisies, Heroes) and David Slade (The Twilight Sage: Eclipse, 30 Days of Night), Hannibal explores the early relationship of Thomas Harris’ famous characters – psychiatrist Hannibal Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen, The Hunt, Casino Royale) and his patient, gifted FBI criminal profiler Will Graham (Hugh Dancy, King Arthur, Hysteria). The series also stars Laurence Fishburne (CSI, The Matrix) and boasts a star-studded guest star roll which includes Gillian Anderson (The X Files) and Lance Henriksen (Aliens).