'Whitney' scores big ratings for Lifetime

Lifetime’s decision to pair its original film Whitney with the specials Bobby Brown: Remembering Whitney and Whitney Houston Live: Her Greatest Performances turned out to be a masterful plan as 11.8 million viewers tuned in throughout the night’s events.

Whitney, which was directed by Angela Bassett and starred Yaya DaCosta as the late singer Whitney Houston, attracted 4.5 million total viewers, becoming Lifetime’s most-watched telecast since Flowers in the Attic. The movie averaged 2.1 million viewers in the adults 18-49 demographic.

Retaining 91 percent of its audience, the Bobby Brown: Remembering Whitney special drew 4.1 million total viewers, with 1.8 million from the coveted demo. The special featured an exclusive interview with Brown, who was portrayed in the film by Arlen Escarpeta.

Whitney Houston Live: Her Greatest Performances, hosted by Clive Davis, capped the night off with 3.2 million total viewers and 1.3 million in the demo.