American Horror Story
The pilot episode of "American Horror Story" was watched by 3.2 million viewers and averaged a 1.6 rating in the 18–49 years adult demographic, the most sought after by advertisers. These were the best numbers FX had ever received for a series premiere. The episode was seen by 3.2 million total viewers in 59 countries. Ratings increased as the season progressed, with the season finale being watched by 3.22 million viewers and receiving a 1.7 ratings share in the 18–49 years adult demographic. The series premiere aired in November 2011 across Europe and Latin America on Fox International Channels, and ranked as first or second most watched telecast in its timeslot among all paid television in most metered markets. "Numbers so strong, it's scary. "American Horror Story" has brought droves of new viewers to a killer global lineup", said Hernan Lopez, the president of Fox International Channels.
Chapter 1 (American Horror Story)
The episode received most positive reviews, earning an 81% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with an average score of 7.1/10. The consensus reads, "Unlike any "AHS" instalment to date, season six premiere "Chapter 1" manages to surprise still with a unique setup and a new multi-layered look and feel, even if it doesn't get around to revealing much of what's to come." "The A.V. Club" called the episode "unreliable, but fun". Dan Fienberg of "The Hollywood Reporter" gave a positive review, writing, "When you're the type of show prone to kicking off a season with the introduction of a hairless mole man with a killer dildo, it's possible that the most provocative thing you can do to start a chapter is eschewing mole men, dildos and, in fact, killing altogether for a full week. The "American Horror Story" franchise has been and done many things, but it's never offered such a false sense of security, so this subdued start may be the scariest promise at all. It's the most curious I've been about future installments in a long time." Jeff Jensen of "Entertainment Weekly" also gave a positive review, writing, "The use of mystery to market the season may have been contrived, but at this point, mystery might also be the best thing going for it, too." Ben Travers of IndieWire called the premiere "a promising start with a central mystery as tantalizing as the ads teasing it."