Magical Ratings on First Episode of “Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking”

The new wizarding world–inspired baking show, Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking, premiered on November 14, and it has cast a spell on its viewers, becoming an instant hit with high ratings. The show is on track to become Food Network’s highest-rated new series of 2024, ranking as the number-two non-news/sports cable program on the night of the first episode’s release.

Carla Hall, Jozef Youssef, James Phelps, and Oliver Phelps (Credit: Food Network).

The network also saw a dramatic improvement in its ratings compared to its average performance over the six weeks before the episode aired, particularly in its key demographics of people aged between 25 and 54.

In addition to this, Food Network had its best Thursday prime rating in years, as the two-hour premiere drew over 5.2 million viewers across linear, Max, and Discovery+, breaking a record held since 2021.

Betsy Ayala, Head of Content, Food, at Warner Bros. Discovery, commented on the episode’s success.

Viewers showed up for the confectionary magic of ‘Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking.’ By tapping into the incredible fandom of Harry Potter and Food Network’s reputation as a holiday programming destination, this brand new, fully immersive competition delivers elevated culinary craftsmanship executed from the breathtaking sets of the fan-favorite saga, just in time to celebrate the holiday season.

Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking is a magical new competition that merges the wizarding world and baking, with contestants being tasked with creating extraordinary edible masterpieces inspired by the iconic settings, spells, and creatures from the Harry Potter universe.

The show is hosted by Harry Potter actors James and Oliver Phelps, who recently talked about their time on the series. It is clearly a must-watch for Potter fans and bakers alike.