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Week 3 TV Ratings and Analysis; How the Sitcoms Did

Households: #1. CBS 8.3/13.3; #2. ABC 6.4/10.2; #3. Fox 4.8/7.4; #4. NBC 4.4/7.0; #5. The CW 1.4/2.2
Total Viewers: #1. CBS 13.11 million; #2. ABC 9.72 million; #3. Fox 8.05 million; #4. NBC 6.84 million; #5. The CW 2.01 million.
Adults 18-49: #1. CBS 3.5/9.2; #2. Fox 3.3/8.8; #3. ABC 2.5/6.5; #4. NBC 2.4/6.3; #5. The CW 1.0/2.7.

Analysis: For week three we have CBS on top through the first four days in all categories and it will remain that way after tonight, too. I'll explain why later. Through the first four days in week two, CBS has the lead in all categories, with ABC second in HH/viewers but a close third in 18-49 (after Thursday numbers are counted in), with Fox in third in HH/viewers, but second in 18-49 and NBC is back in fourth everywhere. Last week, week 2, Fox took the crown in 18-49 nipping both ABC and CBS (tied for second), while CBS won the week in HH/total viewers. ABC was second in HH/viewers. NBC was third in HH/viewers (thanks to an NFL game), with Fox fourth. NBC was fourth in 18-49, though...even with the NFL.
On Monday ABC, Fox and CBS did well again. A two-hour Dancing with the Stars won the total viewer race with 16.35 million for ABC, down from the previous week, but ABC programs were preempted in the Minneapolis, Milwaukee/Green Bay markets for the huge NFL game. An all-new Castle followed with a solid 9.23 million, up from the previous week a bit despite not airing in those markets this week due to NFL. Good job! Next up was CBS with its comedies and CSI: Miami. How I Met Your Mother started it off with 8.08 million, down from the previous week by nearly a million and Accidentally on Purpose followed doing 7.17 million and a 2.8 18-49 rating, which could be better...both down from the previous week. Two and a Half Men followed with 13.3 million which was down a bit from the previous week, but The Big Bang Theory continues to impress and did a nice 12.52 million, but that was down nearly a million from the previous week. The show also did a 4.7 18-49 rating, down from the series high of 5.3 the previous week. A new episode of CSI: Miami did 13.43 million, down a bit from the previous week. Fox had a regular edition of House and it did 13.74 million, which was down a million from the the previous week... the show did a 5.4 A18-49 rating, down from the 5.8 the previous week. NBC followed with the free-falling Heroes doing 5.46 million, down from the previous week. A new episode of Trauma followed and did only 5.36 million and only a 1.7 A18-49 rating, both down from the premiere the previous week. The Jay Leno Show followed with only 4.45 million, down a million from previous week. The CW on Mondays has been a struggle so far, with One Tree Hill doing only 2.13 million and Gossip Girl at an even worse 2.08 million...both down week-to-week.
On Tuesday, CBS was in control despite some declines. CBS had the always reliable NCIS opening the night off with 20.7 million, down from the series high the previous week. A new episode of NCIS: Los Angeles was next and did 16.31 million, down a million again from the previous week and lost the 18-49 crown for the first time. And finally CBS aired The Good Wife and did 13.69 million, exactly the same as previous week. Wasn't Without a Trace doing about the same and CBS canned it? ABC was a distant second with a new episode of Shark Tank doing only 5.15 million...but up a bit week-to-week. Again, this show is perfect for summer. Then it was Dancing with the Stars: The Results doing 12.42 million, down week-to-week as we said goodbye to Debi Mazar and also Tom Delay as he left due to injury. ABC followed with a new episode of the forgotten doing 7.55 million, up a bit week-to-week despite the lead-in going down. NBC was next with The Biggest Loser 2-hour show doing 9.25 million, up a bit from previous week, followed by the The Jay Leno Show at just 6.22 million (the best it can do), which was down from previous week. Fox aired Hell's Kitchen at 8 doing 7.43 million and a solid 3.3 18-49 rating, both up week-to-week. Quietly this show delivers. So You Think You Can Dance Tuesday was next and it bombed with only 5.47 million, but up week-to-week. The CW aired 90210 with just 2.09 million, followed by dud Melrose Place at an even worse 1.6 million. The latter was up a bit from previous week, while the former was down.
Wednesday again it was CBS with the overall win, but ABC and Fox had a lot doing well. CBS started slow with Old Christine doing 6.86 million, which was up a tad from the previous week, followed by Gary Unmarried at 6.84 million, up a bit from its previous week. Veteran drama Criminal Minds did 14.05 million which was down a bit from the previous week, with CSI: NY doing 12.43 million, down from previous week. ABC started the 8pm hour with Hank & The Middle but saw declines. Hank did an OK 6.45 million but only a 1.6 18-49 rating, both down from the premiere the previous week. The Middle did a better 6.79 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, nice builds from the lead-in in 18-49, as it shows Hank is the weak link. New episodes of the hilarious sitcoms Modern Family and Cougar Town both did well again with 8.82 and 7.84 million, but down some from previous week. The A18-49 ratings for both were more telling doing 3.4 and 3.2. Look for Shelley Long on Modern Family this week, and I have seen it and it is SO funny! Best episode probably yet. If you liked the pilot, you're in for some great stuff again. WATCH!! At 10pm Eastwick did only 5.14 million, down from previous week, which is a shame because that was the best episode yet. NBC opened the night with Mercy doing 7.43 million, up a tad from the previous week. Law & Order: SVU followed and only did 8.29 million, but up some from previous week. At 10pm NBC aired The Jay Leno Show of course at just 5.71 million, down week-to-week again. Fox was fourth, with So You Think You Can Dance at 6.22 million...down from previous week, but then Glee followed to a decent 7.28 million and a 3.3 A18-49 rating, both were on par really from previous week. The CW had its usual showing of Top Model at 3.16 million, down a tad from previous week and a repeat of Melrose Place followed with just 980,000 viewers.
Thursday it was ABC on top in 18-49 and CBS overall again. ABC opened the night with FLASHFORWARD doing 9.0 million and a 3.0 18-49 rating, both very solid but down some from previous week. Look for it to do better this week. A new Grey's Anatomy followed with 14.13 million and a great 5.4 A18-49 rating. And new episode of Private Practice did a solid 9.5 million and a first place at 10pm 3.6 A18-49 rating. Dr. Bailey guest stars next week! CBS opened with Survivor: Gabon at 11.69 million and a 3.4 A18-49 rating. A new episode of CSI followed with 14.9 million, down a million week-to-week, while The Mentalist was also down a million week-to-week with 14.7 million. Fox started off well with Bones at a solid 10.29 million...up again from previous week, but Fringe followed and only did 5.83 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, both down from previous week. Baseball on TBS could have effected all the male driven shows on this night like FLASHFORWARD and Fringe. NBC was next with Community in its new time of 8pm doing 4.87 million down from SNL's numbers the previous week and its own numbers, followed by sitcom dud Parks & Recreation at only 4.75 million, though it was up ever so slightly week-to-week. At 9pm a special one-hour episode of The Office did 9.42 million and a solid 4.8 18-49 rating, both up big week-to-week. The Jay Leno Show closed the night with only 4.84 million, down week-to-week again. It went down every night this week. Stupid NBC. The CW's only consistent player so far is Vampire Diaries doing 3.5w million, on par really week-to-week, followed by Supernatural at a could-be-better 2.47 million...what happened this season?
Now, final numbers for Friday and Saturday are not available, but CBS won Friday with their dramas but only mustered a prelim 1.9 18-49 rating average. Fox continues to stumble on Friday with Brothers, 'Til Death & Dollhouse watching the cancelation clock.
Saturday numbers had CBS win with College Football as #1 Florida beat #4 LSU in a defensive battle.
Tonight the full ABC Sunday line-up is airing (AFV, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Desperate Housewives, and Brothers & Sisters). NBC should have something to tout about with the NFL game, but could be down from previous week due to MLB Playoffs on TBS. CBS has its usual players, but Three Rivers will be slaughtered again. Fox has its animation block from 8-10pm, including rookie The Cleveland Show. But how will it due this week without NFL? A new Brothers also airs tonight at 7 on a special night and time.
As for week three, CBS will win in HH, viewers and even 18-49 thanks to College Football on Saturday probably tripling their usual numbers. Look for ABC in second in HH/viewers, but likely third in 18-49. NBC could be 3rd in HH/viewers, and a closer fourth in 18-49. With Fox likely taking second in 18-49 but fourth in HH/viewers.

Last Sunday Sitcoms (counts for week of September 28-October 4)

• Brothers (Fox) encore - preempted.
• The Simpsons (Fox) - 9.37 million and a 4.4 18-49 rating...both up from the season premiere the previous week. A direct NFL lead-in helps.
• The Cleveland Show (Fox) - 8.86 million and a 4.4 18-49 rating. Both down from the series premiere a week prior, but still very good.
• Family Guy (Fox) - 9.86 million and a 5.1 18-49 rating. Both down just a tad from the season premiere. Fox doesn't have a direct NFL lead-in this week...so expect big declines for all of the animated comedies.
• American Dad (Fox) - 7.14 million and a 3.6 18-49 rating...both exactly the same from the season premiere a week prior. Not bad, but could be better considering the lead-in.
  

Monday Sitcoms

• How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - New episode did 8.08 million, lower than the previous week, but the 3.4 A18-49 rating is solid.
• Accidentally on Purpose (CBS) - 7.17 million for week three and a 2.8 18-49 rating, both down from the previous week. Concerning, but let's see the next few weeks how it does.
• Two and a Half Men (CBS) - 13.3 million...down some from the previous week.
• The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - 12.52 million...down from the previous week but still built from the lead-in's 18-49 rating from a 4.4 to a 4.7...nicely done.

Tuesday Sitcoms

• None.

• Old Christine (CBS) - New episode did 6.86 million, up a bit from previous week. 18-49 rating of a 1.9 was the same though.
• Gary Unmarried (CBS) - Like the lead-in, 6.84 million, up a bit from previous week, but built from the lead-in a bit in 18-49 to a 2.2 rating.
• Hank (ABC) - Down two million from 8.34 million to 6.45 million in week two. 2.2 18-49 for the premiere was down to 1.6 this week. Not good.
• The Middle (ABC) -6.79 million for week two is not too good, but it built nicely from the lead-in in 18-49 from a 1.6 to a 2.1. ABC needs to remove Hank. This show is not the problem...it has been picked-up for a full season!
• Modern Family (ABC) - Episode three did 8.82 million and a nice 3.4 18-49 rating, but both down week-to-week. Look for a rise this week with Shelley Long guesting. And it is GREAT. I've seen it. Trust me!
• Cougar Town (ABC) - Episode three for this great sitcom did 7.84 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating, both also down some from previous week. Promos for next week look good with Cox in a hot dress with noodles in her hair? Find out what I mean this Wednesday!
  

Thursday Sitcoms

• Parks & Recreation (NBC) - This show did terrible doing only 4.75 million and just a 2.1 A18-49 rating...sorry Amy Poehler, but you did go up from previous week a bit for a second straight week!
• The Office (NBC) - Building on the lead-in, the special one-hour wedding episode did 9.42 million, but its strength is 18-49 and it did a 4.8 rating.
• Community (NBC) - The series is now at 8pm and only did 4.87 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating ... both down big from previous week when it had the cushy Office lead-in.
  

Friday Sitcoms

• Brothers (Fox) - Worse than the previous two weeks! Prelim ratings show a terrible 2.35 million.
• 'Til Death (Fox) - Premlim shows 2.36 million, but better than the previous week's prelim of 2.29 million!
• Modern Family (ABC) - Special encore of Wednesday's episode did a prelim 2.95 million at 9pm. Anything for more exposure!
• The Middle (ABC) - Special encore of Wednesday's episode did a prelim 2.76 million. Hey it beat the Fox sitcoms!
  

Saturday Sitcoms

• None.
  

Airing tonight (Sunday) are new episodes of Fox's animated comedies from 8-10PM, along with Brothers at 7.

Summing it up. Two and a Half Men, Modern Family, Cougar Town, The Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, The Office were impressive for the week. Everything else was OK (such as The Middle, Accidentally on Purpose) or just plain old terrible (such as Community, Brothers).

Posted by Pavan -- SitcomsOnline.com at 6:30 PM

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Labels: Weekly Ratings