Boston Blue, a homegrown TV series, topped May sweeps ratings.
Alan Pergament wrote in the Buffalo News that the show's outlandish family drama drove its surge.
The program launched earlier this season, according to TV Tonight, an Australian TV blog that posted the airdate.
Viewers praised the unique plot and tangled relationships.
Broadcast on the area network, the show earned a 12.3 rating point lead over its nearest competitor.
Advertisers boosted commercial spots after the rating spike.
The success may influence future programming decisions locally.