‘R&B Divas’ breaks ratings records for TV One

Monifah Carter, Nicci Gilbert, Faith Evans, Syleena Johnson, Keke Wyatt on "R&B Divas.” (Alex Martinez - TV One)

Continuing to program reality shows paid off for TV One this week, as the debut of new docu-series “R&B Divas” became the most-watched orignial premiere in the network’s history.

About 479,000 viewers tuned in for the premiere episode Monday at 10 p.m., the Silver Spring-based cable network announced. It’s a record for the relatively new-ish channel, which launched in 2004.

“R&B Divas” follows several R&B singers — Faith Evans, Nicci Gilbert-Daniels, Monifah Carter, Syleena Johnson and Keke Wyatt — as they go about their daily lives, and in the first episode, decide to record a charity album for their friend, the late Whitney Houston.