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Week 31 TV Ratings and Analysis; How the Sitcoms Did

Week 31 TV Ratings (first four nights, Mon-Thurs finals):

Households: #1. Fox 7.8/12.5 rating/share; #2. CBS 6.3/10.3; #3. ABC 5.8/9.5; #4. NBC 3.8/6.2; #5. The CW 1.1/1.8
Total Viewers: #1. Fox 13.42 million; #2. CBS 9.92 million; #3. ABC 8.91 million; #4. NBC 5.77 million; #5. The CW 1.67 million.
Adults 18-49: #1. Fox 4.5/12.7 rating/share; #2. CBS 2.5/7.0; #3. ABC 2.5/7.0; #4. NBC 2.1/5.9; #5. The CW 0.8/2.2

Week 31 (April 19-25) Analysis: For week 31, thus far through the first four nights it is a three-network race once again but Fox has a comfortable lead in all categories...but can they hang on? So far through the first four night, Fox is first across the board, with CBS second in HH/viewers. 2nd in 18-49 is a tie between CBS and ABC for the second straight week. ABC is third in HH/viewers. NBC is in fourth across the board again. Last week, week 30, CBS took home first place in HH/viewers, but couldn't squeak by Fox in 18-49 again. ABC squeaked past Fox for second in HH/viewers. ABC was third in 18-49, but only .1 off from 2nd. Fox was third in HH/viewers and NBC was a clear fourth in all categories.

On Monday it was ABC with a big win again with Dancing with the Stars season ten continuing to pull in big ratings. ABC aired a 90-minute edition of Dancing with the Stars this time and it did 21.07 million and a 4.8 18-49 rating, up from previous week in viewers when it was 2-hours. Dancing is once again the top show of the week in viewers beating Idol! Since this was only a 90-minute edition, ABC launched the new sitcom Romantically Challenged at 9:30pm to decent numbers doing 10.67 million and a 2.9 18-49 rating. The key for the sitcom is to keep this audience steady the next few weeks so it can return and possibly move to the Wednesday comedy block next fall! Watch the show, it is funny and stars Alyssa Milano--can't get any better than that! At 10pm, ABC had an all-new Castle doing a solid 10.39 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, though down 2 million from previous week with a weaker lead-in. Still the 10.39 million is better than what it was doing in the fall. CBS started off the night with a new episode of How I Met Your Mother doing 7.71 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating, up a good amount from the previous week. A new Rules of Engagement was next doing 7.49 million and 3.0 18-49, both up a bit from the previous week again. Then at 9pm a repeat of Two and a Half Men sparked up to 11.42 million and a 3.8 18-49 rating. That's some great numbers for a repeat. Then a repeat of The Big Bang Theory built on the lead-in and did 11.66 million and a 4.1 18-49 rating, great numbers for a repeat as it built from the lead-in and didn't face Dancing on ABC. CBS closed the night with a new CSI: Miami at 11.66 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating, up some from previous week. Tomorrow CBS is all repeats for the night except for Rules. Fox started the night with a brand new House doing 10.81 million and a 4.1 18-49 rating, which is both below normal but on par from previous week. At 9pm a new 24 did 8.94 million and a 2.8 18-49, both up from previous week again. NBC was of course in fourth with a repeat of Chuck barely registering at 2.85 million and a 0.9 18-49. An all-new Trauma followed an needed some trauma at only 4.68 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, on par really from the previous week. At 10pm a Law & Order repeat did only 4.31 million and 1.2 18-49 rating, on par from previous week's repeat. Over at The CW, they started with an repeat of One Tree Hill at 8pm and did 1.03 million and a 0.5 18-49 rating. Then at 9pm a repeat of Gossip Girl did 820,000 viewers and a 0.4 18-49 rating.

On Tuesday, Fox took the night by a wide margin as CBS was in repeats. Fox aired an all-new American Idol doing 19.67 million and a 6.9 18-49 rating in the 8pm hour, down some from previous week when it was 90-minutes. Then Glee aired from 9:03-10:04pm (why does Idol always run late?) and did 12.98 million and a 5.3 18-49 rating, down some from the spring premiere the previous week. CBS had all repeats again. They started with a NCIS repeat doing 9.99 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating, both down from previous week's repeat. When was the last time this show was under 10 million--new or repeat? The spin-off NCIS: Los Angeles followed with a repeat doing 10.27 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, building for the first time from the lead-in, but they were repeats. I still think these shows should switch time slots next fall...the stronger show should always air a 9. And finally The Good Wife closed the night with a repeat doing 7.67 million and only a 1.3 18-49 rating, off a bit from previous week's repeat. ABC started off the night with Dancing with the Stars: The Results doing 13.56 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, on par really in viewers from previous week as Kate Gosselin was sent home. Then an all-new episode of the final season of LOST was next with 9.53 million and a 3.7 rating, up a tad in viewers from week-to-week but down some in 18-49. V finished the night with 5.81 million and a 2.2 rating, up some in viewers and the same 18-49 rating from previous week. This show benefits a ton in DVR/online/iTunes. NBC started with a two-hour The Biggest Loser and did 8.58 million and a 3.4 18-49 rating, up some from the previous week. A new Parenthood was next doing 7.27 million and a 2.9 18-49 rating, both up from previous week and best showing since episode two. The CW aired repeats of 90210 and Life UneXpected as 90210 did only 790,000 viewers and a 0.3 18-49 rating, while Life UneXpected repeat did 760,000 viewers and a 0.3 18-49 rating...this show should come back instead of Melrose Place.

On Wednesday Fox prevailed again with Idol. Fox aired a special American Idol Results that included the charity special Idol Gives Back and did 18.82 million and a 5.9 18-49 rating, down sharply from previous week in both categories. The special aired from 8-10:24pm ET. This show can never end on time. CBS started with a new The New Adventures of Old Christine doing only 5.2 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, down in both categories from previous week, I know it was up against Idol, but that was lower than usual. Accidentally on Purpose followed with its season finale (or series finale?) doing 5.23 million and 1.5 18-49 rating, down week-to-week, and losing to the competing ABC comedy which was a REPEAT. Next CBS aired a repeat of Criminal Minds and did 8.09 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating. CSI: NY closed the night with a repeat at 10pm with 6.82 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, seems low. ABC had a night of repeats of Comedy Wednesday and they doubled up on them! In the 8pm hour two repeats of The Middle did 4.36 and 4.71 million and a 1.4 and 1.6 18-49 rating, the latter beating a CBS comedy which was new. In the 9pm hour, two repeats of Modern Family followed with good numbers for a repeat doing 5.55 and 4.92 million and a 2.2 and 2.0 18-49 rating. Next in the 10pm hour we got two repeats of Cougar Town doing 3.14 and 3.09 million and a 1.3 and 1.2 18-49 rating, not much lower than what new episodes of Ugly Betty were doing. ABC launches the new mystery drama Happy Town this week. NBC started with a new Mercy doing 5.06 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating, that is lower than a repeat of A Minute to Win It from previous week. Sad right? A repeat of Law & Order: SVU was next and did 5.25 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, both up some from previous week's 9pm repeat. An all-new Law & Order: SVU at 10pm did 8.75 million and a 2.8 rating, against repeats. The CW aired America's Next Top Model at 8pm doing 2.97 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, both up from previous week. Fly Girls followed with 900,000 viewers as viewers flew away again and it also did only a 0.4 18-49 rating...but both were the exact same as previous week. High Society closed the night with 800,000 viewers and 0.4 18-40 rating, but up ever so slightly from previous week in viewers.

Moving on to Thursday, CBS was in control on a below normal night. CBS started with the durable Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains at 8pm doing 11.89 million and a 3.6 rating in 18-49, down a bit from previous week. A new CSI at 9pm did 13.35 million and a 2.8 18-49 rating, up a tad in viewers but down a bit in 18-49 from the previous week. The Mentalist finished the night with a new showing doing 14.96 million and a 3.0 18-49 rating, down from its last new episode two weeks ago. ABC began the night with FLASHFORWARD at 8pm doing 5.53 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, both up from previous week...good episode! April 29 is this week, which is mentioned on the show a lot. What will happen? Watch! ABC aired an all-new Private Practice on a special time instead of the usual Grey's Anatomy doing a decent 7.49 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating. At 10pm a repeat of Grey's Anatomy on a special time did 4.35 million viewers a 1.3 18-49 rating, Grey's is all-new at 9pm this week for the rest of the season. Fox aired a new Bones and did 9.01 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, down some from previous week. A new Fringe garnered 5.84 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, both down from previous week. NBC started off with a new Community doing only 3.67 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, next Parks and Recreation was preempted but they aired a special new episode of 30 Rock doing only 4.0 and a 1.9 18-49 rating. Not good folks, yes the NFL draft might have been the reason why. At 9pm a new The Office did only 6.3 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating for season lows. Another new 30 Rock was next doing 5.16 million and a 2.5 18049 rating. At 10pm the falling The Marriage Ref was next doing only 4.27 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating. The CW aired a new Vampire Diaries doing 3.33 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, up some in viewers from previous week. Supernatural followed with 2.82 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, both up from previous week.

Now, final numbers for Friday and Saturday are not available as usual, but NBC won Friday in viewers and 18-49 on Friday actually for the second straight week as CBS was in repeats again. Fox won on Saturday thanks to their regular crime reality series.
Tonight ABC airs a new episode of America's Funniest Home Videos, a repeat of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition BUT Desperate Housewives and Brothers & Sisters are all-new again! CBS airs a new The Amazing Race but Cold Case is preempted for a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie from 9-11pm that will be old skewing. NBC has A Minute to Win It at 8 followed by a new Celebrity Apprentice starting at 9pm. Fox has repeats of The Cleveland Show & Family Guy and new episodes of 'Til Death, The Simpsons and American Dad. As for the coming week, ABC launches new mystery drama Happy Town on Wednesday at 10/9 central! And don't forget Romantically Challenged starring Alyssa Milano airs episode two tomorrow at 9:30! You need to watch as a fan of sitcoms!

Week 31 How the Sitcoms Did

Last Sunday Sitcoms (counts for week 30-- April 12-18)

• 'Til Death (Fox) - An all-new episode only mustered 1.76 million, down even from the previous week.
• The Simpsons (Fox) 2 airings - A repeat episode at 7:30pm did only 2.39 million, down some from previous week's repeat. A new episode at 8pm did 5.83 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating...seems below normal but it was up some from previous week in viewers.
• The Cleveland Show (Fox) - A repeat did 5.09 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating. That was just off from previous week, when it was all-new...so good repeat numbers.
• Family Guy (Fox) - A repeat did 6.03 million and a 2.8 18-49 rating. Even as a repeat, it is still best of the Fox block.
• American Dad (Fox) - An all-new episode did 5.22 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating. That is actually up from previous week when the lead-in was all-new.
  

Monday Sitcoms

• How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - A new episode did 7.71 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating. Both up sharply from previous week's lower numbers...and now tomorrow is a repeat.
• Rules of Engagement (CBS) - 7.49 million and a 3.0 18-49 rating for a new episode, up some from previous week.
• Two and a Half Men (CBS) - A repeat did 11.42 million and a 3.8 18-49 rating. Nice repeat numbers.
• The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - A repeat at 9:30pm did 11.66 million and a 4.1 18-49 rating. Outstanding as it built from the lead-in, but it didn't have to face Dancing on ABC as that did.
• Romantically Challenged (ABC) - Going up against the highest rated sitcom (and now also scripted series) in 18-49 (new and repeat), the premiere did a solid 10.67 million and a 2.9 18-49 rating. It just needs to stay around this area the next few weeks and ABC will bring it back, and they should place it on Comedy Wednesday next fall. Please watch so this happens! We need another multicam (aka traditional) sitcom hit!

Tuesday Sitcoms

• None.

Wednesday Sitcoms

• Old Christine (CBS) - A new episode did 5.2 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, terrible. I know Idol was on, but that was below its average. Could this be the last season?
• Accidentally on Purpose (CBS) - The finale did only 5.23 million and 1.5 18-49 rating. I think you have seen the last of this show.
• The Middle (ABC) 2 airings - ABC aired double episodes all night of its comedies, but in repeats. Two repeats of this show did a decent 4.36 and 4.67 million, and a 1.4 and 1.6 18-49 rating. 1.6 beats the new CBS comedy at 8:30.
• Modern Family (ABC) 2 airings - Two repeats in the 9pm hour did 5.55 and 4.92 million and a better than average for a repeat 2.2 and 2.0 18-49 rating.
• Cougar Town (ABC) 2 airings - Two repeats in the 10pm hour did 3.14 and 3.09 million and a 1.3 and 1.2 18-49 rating. If ABC can find a good new comedy at 9:30, I can totally see this show moving to 10pm in the fall. I think it would work, too. More comedies the better!

Thursday Sitcoms

• Community (NBC) - A new episode did only 3.67 million, ouch...1.6 18-49 rating is not too good either. Series lows.
• Parks & Recreation (NBC) - preempted.
• The Office (NBC) - A new episode at 9 did 6.3 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating. Not on my impressive list this week for the first time this season (when it is new, of course). Season lows.
• 30 Rock (NBC) 2 airings - A special new airing at 8:30pm only did 4.0 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating. Not good at all...9:30pm was a bit better doing 5.16 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating.

Friday Sitcoms

• None.
  

Saturday Sitcoms

• None.
  

Airing tonight (Sunday) are a mix of new and repeats of Animation Domination.

Summing it up. Two and a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, Rules of Engagement were impressive this week. Everything was OK (such as repeats of Modern Family and The Middle) or just plain old terrible (such as Community & Accidentally on Purpose).