'West' bow looks bright

TNT's oater averaged 6.47 mil viewers

By RICK KISSELL

Steven Spielberg-produced 'Into the West' is galloping along.

The early numbers are encouraging for TNT's six-week Western "Into the West," which averaged 6.47 million viewers in its premiere airing Friday night at 8 and an additional 3.12 million for its 10 o'clock showing that night, according to Nielsen.

Initial telecast, which topped all broadcast networks except NBC in total viewers, pulled a 5 share in adults 18-49 and a 7 share in adults 25-54, with its aud roughly 55% male.

Cabler has skedded multiple weekend airings of "West," playing it each week Saturday and Sunday evenings as well. Nielsen and TNT are expected to report premiere-week cume numbers for the "three-play" today.

Mini comes from DreamWorks Television and exec producer Steven Spielberg.