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33.3 million viewers tuned in for 'The Roosevelts' documentary series

"We appreciate greatly the response we've received and thank everyone who shared their thoughts with us," says filmmaker Ken Burns.

By Karen Butler
Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt with their children in Washington, D.C. on June 12, 1919. (Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library, Hyde Park, N.Y.)
Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt with their children in Washington, D.C. on June 12, 1919. (Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library, Hyde Park, N.Y.)

ARLINGTON, Va., Oct. 23 (UPI) -- More than 33.3 million viewers tuned in over the course of Ken Burns' seven-episode documentary The Roosevelts: An Intimate Series, PBS announced.

The history program premiered Sept. 14 and ran for seven consecutive nights. Final national ratings for the entirety of the 14-hour series were announced Wednesday.

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"The Roosevelts was a national event that was shared by families from the East Coast to the West," Beth Hoppe, chief programming executive and general manager of general audience programming for PBS, said in a statement. "Ken once again found in our country's history a human drama that captured the attention of the entire nation. The series -- and the conversation it triggered on social media -- reflects our country's ongoing interest in its history and its relevance to our times. We are thrilled that The Roosevelts reached such an enormous audience and applaud Ken and Florentine Films for their extraordinary work."

"We slowly assemble these films in a studio in New Hampshire," added Burns. "So, when we are able to touch a nerve, as we did with The Roosevelts, we are beyond thrilled. It is as if we are speaking to all of our fellow citizens through the complicated and rich past that we share. We appreciate greatly the response we've received and thank everyone who shared their thoughts with us. And we are most grateful to PBS and the member stations who worked so tirelessly to share this series with the public and to ensure all knew when and how they could watch."

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