Jersey Shore Season 2 Premiere Scores 5.3 Million Viewers

Here's the Situation: A record-setting 5.3 million viewers tuned in to the Season 2 premiere of MTV's Jersey Shore.

That's up a staggering 280 percent over December's series opener, according to the network.

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Thursday's 10 p.m. episode, which saw Snooki, JWOWW and the crew relocate to Miami Beach, Fla., also ranks as the year's most-watched basic cable telecast among 12-34-year-old viewers, MTV's target demographic.

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Jersey Shore's second season debut also delivered MTV's most-watched season premiere since the sophomore season launch of The Osbournes in 2002.