Two new sitcoms are garnering solid ratings, with hopes running high about their futures.

Jeff Ltd. nabbed an estimated 880,000 viewers, according to BBM, when it premiered on CTV on March 1, after American Idol. Subsequent eps have played well in the Wednesday 9:30 p.m. slot, with a season-to-date average of 739,000.

‘I couldn’t really be happier about this,’ says Jeff Seymour, the creator, exec producer and star of the show, in which he plays an egotistical adman. ‘This is like one of those success stories you read about and are annoyed because it’s not happening to you.’

Seymour, who won a Gemini for his role on The Eleventh Hour, says the ratings give him a lot of hope that a second season is on its way in the fall.

‘We stand a good chance of breaking a million in terms of ratings.’

Debuting after one of the most popular shows on TV has been a big help, but no guarantee for longevity, he says. ‘The simple fact of the matter is, if people didn’t like the show, they wouldn’t keep watching.’ Jeff Ltd. also airs on The Comedy Network.

Meanwhile, Showcase reports that its Billable Hours is also drawing solid numbers, attracting 296,000 viewers to its April 16 premiere, according to Nielsen Media Research. Showcase says that’s the highest ratings for a premiere episode of any Showcase drama, though it won’t say by how much.

The law office comedy features Fabrizio Filippo (Queer as Folk), who co-created with costar Adam Till (The Human Kazoo).

‘Billable Hours is performing along with many of our biggest success stories, Trailer Park Boys, Naked Josh among them,’ says Tara Ellis, the channel’s VP of content. ‘We are leaving the show in its current slot, Sundays right after Trailer Park Boys. We are very happy with the numbers, but we’re also confident they will grow.’

As a promo, Showcase will also post an original ‘webisode’ of the show exclusively on showcase.ca. In it, the characters will interview people on the street about their work lives.