A spokesman for Channel 4 said the new series was the fourth-highest rated programme on E4 since it launched in 2001, as well as the highest-rated Channel 4 commission in terms of viewing figures outside of the 'Big Brother' franchise.
The launch night viewing figures are a timely boost for Channel 4 as it battles to restore its battered reputation in light of the 'Celebrity Big Brother' race row.
Audiences of more than 1m viewers on a multi-channel station are a rarity, with only programmes such as 'The Simpsons' and live Premiership football on the Sky satellite channels attracting bigger audiences on a regular basis.
'Skins', which has been backed by a heavyweight marketing campaign including a page on the MySpace website, is set in Bristol and follows a group of raucous teenagers. It stars Nicholas Hoult, who starred alongside Hugh Grant in 'About a Boy'.
Danny Cohen, head of E4 and C4 factual entertainment, said: "We're thrilled that 'Skins' has immediately struck a chord with a young audience. An incredibly young writing team and a group of new actors have shown huge talent and creative energy, and I'm grateful to all involved."
'Celebrity Big Brother' averaged 4.3m viewers last night, as it failed to hold onto the additional viewers it attracted during the height of the race row allegations.
On ITV1 during the same time slot, a current affairs programme fronted by business journalist Jeff Randall, called 'Where Has My Pension Gone?', attracted just 2.6m viewers.
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