Two cable reality series yielded record ratings running in the same time slot Wednesday, the premiere of FX's Black. White., and the finale of Bravo's Project Runway.
Black bested Runway at 10 p.m., with 4 million total viewers checking out the provocative look at two families who switch races with the aid of an Oscar-nominated makeup artist, including 2.8 million in the coveted adults 18-49 demo.
Black managed to tie MTV's The Osbournes as the highest-rated unscripted series premiere ever on cable in 18-49, and scored the highest-rated cable premiere for a new or returning series year to date.
In addition, Black nearly tripled FX's previous best effort in the unscripted realm, the premiere of 30 Days.
While Runway ran second to Black in the hour with 3.4 million including 2.4 million in 18-49, the second-season finale was enough to become Bravo's highest-rated program ever, eclipsing Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. Runway did manage to top Black among female viewers.
The strong finish for Runway brought its second-season average to 1.7 million, up 59 percent from the previous season.
Runway also led in to an 11 p.m. preview of a new series, Top Chef, which saw strong sampling with 1.3 million.
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