SitcomsOnline.com News Blog

Households: #1. CBS 7.9/12.8 rating/share; #2. ABC 7.1/11.4; #3. Fox 6.9/11.1; #4. NBC 3.5/5.6; #5. The CW 1.3/2.1.
Total Viewers: #1. CBS 13.01 million; #2. Fox 11.62 million; #3. ABC 11.12 million; #4. NBC 5.6 million; #5. The CW 2.09 million.
Adults 18-49: #1. Fox 3.7/10.4 rating/share; #2. CBS 3.3/8.9; #3. ABC 3.0/8.1; #4. NBC 1.9/5.3; #5. The CW 1.0/2.6.

Week 6 (Oct. 25-31) Analysis: November 2010 sweeps is underway and so far for week 6 Fox is up big from previous week thanks to the World Series, even though the ratings for that series is not that high. Through the first four days, CBS has the lead in HH/viewers, but second in 18-49. ABC and Fox are battling for second in HH/viewers, but ABC is third in 18-49. NBC is back in the familiar fourth across the board with no NFL yet. This could change like usual after tonight, due to NFL overrun on Fox and World Series action and NFL on NBC. It's too bad sporting events decide who wins the week. Last week, week 5, had CBS in first in all categories once again for the fifth straight week, as they hung on. ABC was second in HH/viewers but third in 18-49. NBC was third in HH/viewers and second in 18-49 thanks to a huge NFL Sunday night game. Fox was fourth across the board. The difference from 1st to 4th in 18-49 was only .5 (2.9 to 2.4), a bit more wider than previous week.

Monday still has ABC on top, like all season. A two-hour Dancing with the Stars won the total viewer race with 20.41 million and a 4.3 18-49 rating, up from from previous week. Next an all-new Castle did a solid 11.32 million and a 2.9 18-49 rating, up sharply from the previous week for season highs and #1 in the hour in both. Next up was CBS with its comedies and the new Hawaii Five-0. At 8pm, How I Met Your Mother started it off with 8.29 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week's numbers and at a season low again. At 8:30, Rules of Engagement did 8.17 million and a 3.0 18-49 rating, up a bit from the previous week. Two and a Half Men followed with 13.77 million and a 4.4 18-49 rating, roughly the same as previous week. At 9:30, Mike & Molly did 10.81 million and a 3.7 18-49 rating, down a lick in viewers from previous week but up in 18-49 rating from previous week. A new Hawaii Five-0 was next and did 10.23 million and a 2.8 18-49 rating, down a bit in viewers and still dropping in 18-49 from previous week, as Castle beat it in 18-49 for the first time and the second straight week in total viewers. CBS has to be concerned since this was their big new gun. Fox was next with a repeat of House doing only 3.98 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating. A new showing of Lie To Me followed and dropped to 4.26 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, down from previous week obviously since its lead-in was a repeat. NBC followed with the consistent Chuck doing only at 5.44 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, on par with previous week again. The new series The Event isn't consistent. It dropped a bit again in total viewers at 5.97 million and the 18-49 rating was a 2.0 18-49 rating, for series lows. A new Chase was next and did only 4.89 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, for more series lows. What a mess. The CW was next, with 90210 doing 2.03 million and Gossip Girl at 1.88 million...both are under performing.

Tuesday had CBS win in viewers but Fox in 18-49. CBS had the quietly doing well NCIS opening the night off with 20.18 million and a 4.1 18-49 rating, up from previous week in viewers yet down two tenths in 18-49. It got even older. A new episode of NCIS: Los Angeles was next and did 15.99 million and 3.4 18-49 rating, like the lead-in down in 18-49 from previous week. And finally CBS had a new The Good Wife and did 12.59 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, up some from previous week in viewers but down in 18-49. ABC was next as a new No Ordinary Family was leading the night off doing 7.38 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating. It was on par from previous week in viewers but 18-49 dropped two tenths from previous week. When it airs next week (Nov. 9), it needs to go up in 18-49. The live Dancing with the Stars Results Show followed at 9pm and did 15.93 million and a 3.1 18-49 rating, up from previous week in viewers but down a tenth in 18-49, as we said goodbye to shockingly to Audrina Patridge. A new episode of the gritty Detroit 1-8-7 followed and did 8.45 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, up for the third straight week. That's good news. Fox was all-new as Glee did 11.76 million and a 4.9 18-49 rating for its Halloween show. Next were two episodes of Raising Hope, as Running Wilde was preempted, doing 6.0 & 5.37 million and a 2.5 & 2.2 18-49 rating. Not too good, yet picked-up up for a full season. NBC was next with The Biggest Loser 2-hour episode doing 6.7 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, for season lows, followed by an all-new Parenthood at just 4.94 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, yet up some week-to-week. There are just too many options on Tuesdays as I keep saying, and people are watching the DVRed shows from earlier in the night at 10pm and saving the 10pm shows for the next night or so. The CW was in repeats, as One Tree Hill did just 1.12 million, followed by an even worse Life UneXpected at just 960,000 viewers.

Wednesday it was Fox on top with Game 1 of the World Series. The game did 15.71 million and a 4.8 18-49 rating in primetime (15.01 and 4.7 overall), down a lot from last year. CBS started the night off with Survivor: Nicaragua at 11.82 million and a 3.5 18-49 rating, both down again from previous week. Veteran drama Criminal Minds did 13.94 million and a 3.4 A18-49 rating, both down from previous week. At 10pm, The Defenders aired and did 9.8 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, both down some from previous week. Looks like CBS was affected a bit by baseball. ABC wasn't, as they started off with its Laugh On comedy block with The Middle doing a series best 9.54 million and tying a series best with a 2.9 18-49 rating. Halloween episodes rule! The new sitcom Better With You was next and did 7.67 million and tied a series best 2.5 18-49 rating, up in viewers from previous week for its second best numbers ever. The mammoth Modern Family was next and did a series best 13.14 million and tied a series best with a 5.1 18-49 rating. A new episode of Cougar Town did 8.16 million and a 3.3 18-49 rating, up again from previous week, both were its second best ratings of the season behind only the season premiere. At 10pm, the canceled The Whole Truth probably aired its last episode in a while and did 4.4 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating, down from previous week. Specials air on ABC the next four weeks, including the CMA Awards next week (Nov. 10). NBC opened the night with disappointing Undercovers doing 5.45 million and only a 1.4 18-49 rating, down a bit from previous week. At 9, Law & Order: SVU was next, but with a repeat, doing 4.81 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating. A repeat of Law & Order: Los Angeles was next and did 4.52 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating. Fox preempted Hell's Kitchen for the World Series. The CW had its usual showing of Top Model at 2.66 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, and a new episode of Hellcats followed with 2.03 million.

Thursday it was Fox on top thanks to the World Series. Game 2 did 14.41 million and a 4.1 18-49 rating in primetime (14.13 and a 4.0 overall), down from game one and the similar game last year. ABC opened the night with the all-time classic It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown doing 6.98 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, down some from last season. Then an all-new Grey's Anatomy followed with 10.79 million and a 3.9 A18-49 rating, both down a tad from previous week...maybe because it wasn't the regular type of episode. Still it was fantastic TV. A new episode of Private Practice was next doing 7.68 million and a 2.7 18-48 rating, on par with previous week. CBS opened with The Big Bang Theory at 13.04 million and a 4.2 A18-49 rating, on par really with previous week. The new comedy (or lack of comedy) $#*! My Dad Says followed with 10.81 million and a 3.1 18-49 rating, also on par with previous week. A new CSI followed and did 14.27 million and a 3.3 18-49 rating, down a bit from previous week. A new episode of The Mentalist did 14.76 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating, both up from previous week. Fox preempted Bones and Fringe for coverage of the World Series. NBC was in the familiar fourth place, but up from normal thanks to the all-new Halloween special Scared Shrekless doing 8.33 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, way up from the usual Community but Community aired at 8:30pm and did 5.63 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, improving on 30 Rock a bit week-to-week. 30 Rock was preempted. At 9pm The Office jumped to 8.07 million and a 4.0 18-49 rating, to its best numbers since the season premiere. Halloween episode and the better lead-in helps. Shrek saves NBC Thursday. A new Outsourced closed the comedy block with 5.94 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating, up from previous week thanks to better lead-ins. At 10, The Apprentice closed the night with only 3.79 million and a 1.4 18-49...just plain bad, but up some from previous week. The CW's big gun Vampire Diaries did great with 3.55 million and tied a season high of 1.7 18-49 rating again, followed by Nikita at 2.48 million and a 1.0 18-49 rating. The latter is not too high in 18-49.

Now, final numbers for Friday and Saturday are not available, but CBS nipped by ABC in 18-49 on Friday with their dramas. Fox's Good Guys and NBC's School Pride did terrible again with under a 1 ratings. ABC had a great showing from the season premiere of Primetime: What Would You Do at 9, killing NBC's Dateline from 9-11.
Saturday numbers had Fox win with MLB World Series Game #3 nipping by ABC's Saturday Night College Football coverage. Everything else was repeats and low.

Tonight are new episodes for ABC Sunday (AFV, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Desperate Housewives, and Brothers & Sisters). NBC has the Saints/Steelers NFL game. CBS has its normal Sunday line-up, which includes Undercover Boss, airing on time tonight. Fox's animation block is preempted for an NFL overrun and World Series Game 4. Look for all four nets to do well again on Sunday. Fox or NBC will win the night.

As for the week (week 6), CBS will win in HH, viewers but for the first time this season, maybe not 18-49. Fox should win that with four World Series games and an NFL overrun. Fox will probably be second in HH/viewers, though. ABC will be third in HH/viewers, but NBC could take third in 18-49 again thanks to NFL. NBC will be fourth in HH/viewers, though, even with NFL. As for the coming week (week 7), November sweeps has its first full week. Look for some Election coverage on the big four on Tuesday and specials such as the Robin Robert CMA special on Wednesday at 10pm on ABC.

Week 6 How the Sitcoms Did

Last Sunday Sitcoms (counts for week 5 -- Oct. 18-24)

• The Simpsons (Fox) - Since there was no need for NLCS Game 7, Fox had to settle for repeats. Repeat at 8pm did 3.98 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating.
• The Cleveland Show (Fox) 2 episodes - Two repeats to start the 7pm hour did 1.87 million & 0.7 18-49 with only 96% coverage at 7pm and at full coverage did 2.65 million & 1.2 18-49 rating at 7:30pm. Regular 8:30pm airing was preempted.
• Family Guy (Fox) - A repeat at 9pm did 4.42 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, which is below its normal repeat numbers.
• American Dad! (Fox) 2 episodes - A special repeat 8:30p held more of its lead-in than the normal 9:30pm airing. At 8:30pm a repeat did 3.88 million & a 1.7 18-49 rating, while a repeat at 9:30pm did 3.58 million & a 1.6 18-49 rating.
  

Monday Sitcoms

• How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - A new episode did 8.29 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating, up some in viewers but down a tenth from the previous week. 18-49 rating was a season low for the second straight week.
• Rules of Engagement (CBS) - 8.17 million for a new episode is up a bit from previous week, as is the 3.0 18-49 rating.
• Two and a Half Men (CBS) - 13.77 million for a new episode is up some week-to-week but its 4.4 18-49 rating was similar to previous week.
• Mike & Molly (CBS) - 10.81 million for a new episode is down just a bit from the previous week. 18-49 rating of 3.7 was up two tenths from previous week. It's getting consistent.

Tuesday Sitcoms

• Raising Hope (Fox) 2 episodes - Two all-new episodes aired in the 9pm hour, but they still were under performing. 6.0 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating out of the huge lead-in from Glee is not good and the second new episode at 9:30pm did only 5.37 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, but way better than Running Wilde.
• Running Wilde (Fox) - preempted.
  

• The Middle (ABC) - A new episode at 8pm did series highs in total viewers with 9.54 million and tied a series high with a 2.9 18-49 rating. Great job!
• Better with You (ABC) - The new comedy did 7.67 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating. Up in viewers and 18-49 rating from previous week, tying series highs in 18-49 as well.
• Modern Family (ABC) - A new episode did a series high 13.14 million and tied a series high with a 5.1 18-49 rating. It is the top scripted series again in 18-49. Great Halloween episode!
• Cougar Town (ABC) - A new episode did 8.16 million and a 3.3 18-49 rating, up again from previous week as it went up once again. This show is the most consistent show on TV and I still think it wouldn't get hurt at 10pm.
  

Thursday Sitcoms

• The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - A new episode did a solid 13.04 million, on par with previous week and a 4.2 18-49 rating, up a tenth. Great numbers for 8pm, but Glee does better in 18-49.
• S#*! My Dad Says (CBS) - Following the big lead-in again, a new episode did 10.81 million and a 3.1 18-49 rating, this is on par week-to-week.
• Community (NBC) - A new episode at a special time of 8:30pm did 5.63 million and 2.4 A18-49 rating, up from previous week thanks to the new Shrek special lead-in.
• 30 Rock (NBC) - preempted.
• The Office (NBC) - A new episode did 8.07 million and a 4.0 18-49 rating, up big from previous week. Its best ratings since season premiere.
• Outsourced (NBC) - A new episode dropped to 5.94 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating, but both were up week-to-week because of improved lead-ins.
  

Friday Sitcoms

• None.
  

Saturday Sitcoms

• The Office (NBC) - A special encore of the Halloween episode only did a prelim 2.25 million and a prelim 0.8 18-49 rating, dropping from its Halloween specials lead-ins.
• Community (NBC) - A special encore of the Halloween episode only did a prelim 1.86 million and a prelim 0.7 18-49 rating.
  

Airing tonight (Sunday) are no comedies. Fox's animated comedies are preempted.

Summing it up. Modern Family, Two and a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory, The Office, Mike & Molly, $#*! My Dad Says, The Middle, Cougar Town were impressive for the week. Everything else was OK (such as Rules of Engagement, Community) or just plain old terrible (such as Raising Hope).