The premiere of MTV's highly-anticipated Jersey Shore Family Vacation on Thursday (April 5) proved to be successful for the cable network.

According to a report from Billboard, the new series became the most watched unscripted cable series premiere in six years. The show's first two episodes, which were part of a back-to-back two-hour special, averaged a score of 2.96 in the 18-34 demographic—higher than the 2012 season finale.

Jersey Shore Family Vacation was also a big hit on social media, with the hashtag #JSFamilyVacation trending for seven hours in the United States on Twitter. The series' success on social media may have also had to do with it being a global premiere—a first for MTV.

Like the original series, Jersey Shore Family Vacation follows housemates Deena Nicole Cortese, Paul “Pauly D” Delvecchio, Jenni “JWOWW” Farley, Vinny Guadagnino, Ronnie Ortiz-Magro, Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi and Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino for a reunion in Miami.

But one person missing from the reboot of the series is Sammie "Sweetheart" Giancola. On March 30, the former Jersey Shore housemate shared a message on Instagram detailing why she wouldn't be joining the series.

"I am not the same person as I was when I was 22," she wrote. "At 31, I am currently extremely happy in every aspect of my life and want to avoid potentially TOXIC SITUATIONS."

"However, it was a difficult decision as I love my roomies," the New Jersey native continued. "I've decided to focus on me, my future, and what truly makes me happy. I will forever be grateful to Jersey Shore and everything it has brought to me! I've just decided to live my life for me these days."

More From News Radio 710 KEEL