The show's first episode, "Cartman Gets an Anal Probe", earned a Nielsen rating of 1.3 (980,000 viewers), at the time considered high for a cable program. The show instantly generated buzz among television viewers, and mass viewing parties began assembling on college campuses. By the time the eighth episode, "Starvin' Marvin", aired—three months after the show debuted—ratings and viewership had tripled, and South Park was already the most successful show in Comedy Central's history. When the tenth episode "Damien" aired the following February, viewership increased another 33 percent. The episode earned a 6.4 rating, which at the time was over 10 times the average rating earned by a cable show aired in prime time. The ratings peaked with the second episode of season two, "Cartman's Mom Is Still a Dirty Slut", which aired on April 22, 1998. The episode earned an 8.2 rating (6.2 million viewers) and, at the time, set a record as the highest-rated non-sports show in basic cable history. During the spring of 1998, eight of the ten highest-rated shows on basic cable were South Park episodes. South Park's second season would average a 5.8 rating (12.5 million viewers) which was a lower rating due to Comedy Central's households being much higher.
the show's first episode "cartman gets an anal probe" earned a nielsen rating of 13 (980000 viewers) at the time considered high for a cable program the show instantly generated buzz among television viewers and mass viewing parties began assembling on college campuses by the time the eighth episode "starvin' marvin" aired—three months after the show debuted—ratings and viewership had tripled and south park was already the most successful show in comedy central's history when the tenth episode "damien" aired the following february viewership increased another 33 percent the episode earned a 64 rating which at the time was over 10 times the average rating earned by a cable show aired in prime time the ratings peaked with the second episode of season two "cartman's mom is still a dirty slut" which aired on april 22 1998 the episode earned an 82 rating (62 million viewers) and at the time set a record as the highest-rated non-sports show in basic cable history during the spring of 1998 eight of the ten highest-rated shows on basic cable were south park episodes south park's second season would average a 58 rating (125 million viewers) which was a lower rating due to comedy central's households being much higher