A&E wants more 'Wahlburgers'

A&E is ordering up another hot batch of Wahlburgers.

The unlikely reality hit set behind-the-scenes at actors’ Mark and Donnie Wahlberg’s Boston burger joint received an order for 18 more episodes from the cable channel. Since its series premiere last month, Wahlburgers has grown its audience week after week, averaging 3.5 million total viewers. “Viewers are responding to the heartwarming dynamics of Boston’s first family as they balance living in the Hollywood spotlight and growing a business,” said David McKillop, general manager and executive vp of A&E.

Just barely referenced in a list of A&E shows at the bottom of the release is the network’s other heartwarming family business reality series; a show the network has been very quiet about lately — Duck Dynasty, which acts as Wahlburgers‘ big lead-in on Wednesday nights. Ratings for Duck Dynasty remain huge with last week’s episode averaging 7.5 million viewers, topping the cable charts, followed by Wahlburgers with 4.2 million viewers. Still, Duck Dynasty seems to have peaked last fall and hasn’t returned to its former heights since its big fight with A&E in December over co-star Phil Robertson’s inflammatory comments.