The first two airings of the premiere of TNT’s 12 hour miniseries “Into the West” were seen by 9.6 million viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research.

“Wheel to the Stars,” the first of the miniseries’ six parts, helped TNT outperform the broadcast networks (except NBC) during Friday, June 10, prime time among persons 2+. Among 18 to 49, the 8 p.m. telecast was seen by 1.8 million, with 1.2 million watching the 10 p.m. re airing.

“Right out of the starting gate, TNT’s ‘Into the West’ is proving itself to be the television event of the summer,” said Steve Koonin, executive VP and chief operating officer for TNT and TBS. “We are very proud that viewers are responding so favorably to this dramatic tale and that our strategy of offering multiple telecasts each weekend is already paying off in such a big way.”