Warsaw (Poland) – TVN owned by Scripps Networks Interactive, takes you back in time to a world of flamboyant love affairs, lavish balls and violent crimes with its new series Belle Epoque. Poland’s most anticipated television premiere of 2017 was also one of the best in the channel’s history. The first episode, which aired on Wednesday, February 15, hit a debut high with nearly 3 million viewers and almost a 23% share amongst adults aged 16-49, ranking TVN the #1 channel in that demo.

Belle Epoque investigates crimes that shook Cracow to its core in 1908. Jan Edigey-Korycki returns to his hometown to unravel the shocking murder of his mother. He was forced to leave Cracow 10 years earlier after being accused of killing his fiancée’s brother. Although unwelcome, he decides to stay and join forces with his two old friends and forensic pioneers – Henry and Veronica – to find out who committed the crime. Jan’s unmatched intuition, and impeccable understanding of human nature, soon makes him indispensable to the local police.

“Belle Epoque reveals the horrifying side of the beautiful era, taking our viewers on a gripping journey to track down Cracow’s most terrifying criminals of the early twentieth century. To reconstruct this time in history as accurately as possible, we have spent more than two years reviewing countless photos and historical footage. It’s a show that mesmerises you, drags you in and doesn’t let go,” said Edward Miszczak, TVN’s Programming Director.

Belle Epoque’s first episode won the hearts of 22.9% of Polish viewers aged 16-49, Poland’s key target group for commercial clients, and nearly 20.5% of the general public (4+). TVN was the absolute market leader in the show’s airtime, making it one of the most successful premieres in the network’s history.