Sunday, November 20, 2011

Week 9 TV Ratings and Analysis; How the Sitcoms Did

2011-12 Week 9 TV Ratings (first four nights, Mon-Thu):

Households: 1. CBS 8.0/12.4 rating/share; 2. ABC 7.2/11.1; 3. Fox 5.1/7.7; 4. NBC 3.3/5.2; 5. The CW 1.0/1.5
Total Viewers: 1. CBS 12.89 million; 2. ABC 10.85 million; 3. Fox 8.46 million; 4. NBC 5.12 million; 5. The CW 1.44 million.
Adults 18-49: 1. CBS 3.5/9.2 rating/share; 2. Fox 3.0/7.9; 3. ABC 2.7/7.1; 4. NBC 1.7/4.3; 5. The CW 0.6/1.5

Week 9 (Nov. 14-20) Analysis: Week 9 has CBS on top in all categories so far. The first four nights were basically all regular programming except a few ABC News specials. Through the first four nights this week, CBS is in the lead. ABC is a close second in HH/viewers, while Fox is second in 18-49. ABC is third in 18-49, while Fox is third in HH/viewers. So that means NBC is still way behind in fourth in everything. It's hard to predict what will happen for this week, but CBS will win the week in all categories as the NFL overrun will seal that. ABC should be second in all categories this week helped by the AMA Awards tonight. While, Fox should be third across the board and NBC in fourth in everything even with a good NFL game tonight between the Giants and Eagles. As for last week, week 8, CBS just edged ABC in HH/viewers for first place. Fox was first in 18-49 for the week, beating number two ABC. CBS was third in 18-49, while Fox was third in HH/viewers. NBC was fourth in all categories as is the case usually.

Monday was a typical Monday, with CBS on top again in 18-49 and ABC on top in viewers. Starting with ABC, Dancing with the Stars won the total viewer race from 8-10pm with 17.95 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating, off some from previous week, though ABC was preempted in Green Bay/Milwaukee for MNF simulcast. At 10pm, Castle was preempted but ABC got a good showing from A Special Edition of 20/20 With Diane Sawyer: Gabby and Mark - Courage and Hope did 12.39 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, on par with the time period from previous week. Look for a big Castle episode tomorrow night involving a sniper. For CBS, How I Met Your Mother started it off with 10.42 million and a 4.6 18-49 rating, again up some from previous week, it has certainly surprised this season. 2 Broke Girls followed with 11.77 million and a 4.8 18-49 rating, again up some from previous week. This is a big hit. At 9pm, a new Two and a Half Men, with new star Ashton Kutcher, did 14.77 million and a 5.4 18-49 rating, up some from previous week. All the series have gone up two tenths week-to-week. A new Mike & Molly followed the huge lead-in and did 12.18 million and a 4.4 18-49 rating, up two tenths from the previous week. An all-new Hawaii Five-0 was next doing 11.71 million and a 3.3 18-49 rating, yes, up two tenths from the previous week. Fox started with the expensive Terra Nova and it did 7.01 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, down from previous week. Not too good. And at 9pm, House looks more and more like this will be its last season as it posted 6.63 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, also down from previous week. NBC followed with another two-hour The Sing-Off doing only 4.18 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, down some from previous week. What a dud. At 10pm, NBC aired a new episode of Rock Center with Brian Williams and it did an embarrassing 3.87 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating, but that 18-49 is up a tenth from previous week and a series high...ouch. The CW was new with Gossip Girl doing 1.24 million and a 0.6 18-49 rating, on par week-to-week. At 9pm Hart of Dixie did 1.62 million and a 0.7 18-49 rating each, up a tenth from previous week. Gossip Girl is really low.

On Tuesday, CBS took both honors again, beating Fox in 18-49 and ABC in viewers. CBS had the juggernaut NCIS opening the night off with 20.0 million and a 4.0 18-49 rating, off a tenth from previous week but anything over 20 million viewers is amazing. Then spin-off NCIS: Los Angeles was next and did 15.15 million and 3.4 18-49 rating, on par with previous week again. And a new Unforgettable did 11.37 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. ABC was next with new comedy Last Man Standing with Tim Allen leading the night off doing 9.06 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, on par with the previous week. Solid. And the show is very funny since Halloween. Week five of Man Up! was next and it did 6.29 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, also on par with previous week, but it's not good enough. Eight more to go and it is done. Then Dancing with the Stars: The Results followed at 9pm with 15.1 million and a 2.8 18-49 rating, yes on par with the previous week, as we said goodbye to Hope Solo. The finals tomorrow night! It is going to be a photo finish I think, as anyone can win this. At 10pm, Body of Proof was back after a week off doing 9.76 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, its best showing since the season premiere. ABC has ordered three more episodes too, for a total of 20. Good sign for a season three. Fox aired a new Glee which has fallen faster than any major hit I could ever think of, doing 7.08 million and a 3.0 18-49 rating, down a tenth week-to-week. I can imagine in the spring this series will be even lower. At 9pm, New Girl did 6.91 million and a solid 3.5 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. Zooey is certainly good to look at, but Fox has messed the show up with its weird scheduling. Next Raising Hope did just 4.84 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, up a lick from previous week's season low. NBC was next with a two-hour The Biggest Loser doing 6.25 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, down some from the previous week. At 10pm, Parenthood did 5.06 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, on par week-to-week and sadly it is one of NBC's better performing series. The CW aired a new 90210 that did 1.59 million and a 0.7 18-49 rating, down a tenth week-to-week. Then the Sarah Michelle Gellar drama Ringer followed at 9pm with 1.83 million and a 0.7 18-49 rating, on par from previous week. Disappointing. Sarah would do much better on ABC or Fox. She is too big for The CW (and too young for CBS and of course nothing works at NBC).

Wednesday it was Fox on top in young adults, but CBS nipped them by in total viewers. First, CBS started the night off with Survivor: South Pacific at 11.6 million and a 3.3 18-49 rating, up a tenth from previous week's lowest airing in weeks. Veteran drama Criminal Minds was all-new and did 12.72 million and a solid 3.7 18-49 rating, up from previous week. At 10pm, CSI was new too and did 10.6 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, up a tenth week-to-week. ABC returned its Laugh On comedy block after a week off with an new The Middle doing 9.19 million and a 3.0 18-49 rating, which is on par from normal. Suburgatory followed at 8:30pm with a solid 8.19 million and a 2.9 18-49 rating, but it didn't build from its lead-in for the first time ever. Still very good numbers. The mega hit Modern Family was next at 9pm and it did normal business with 12.91 million and a 5.6 18-49 rating, for a scripted series best for the week. At 9:30pm the buzzworthy Happy Endings did a solid 6.94 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating. Retention is iffy, but it was already proven with a repeat as its lead-in it did the same type of numbers. At 10pm the red-hot drama Revenge did 7.98 million and a tied for first place 2.6 18-49 rating. Solid numbers, but down from its previous episode by some. Fox aired The X Factor doing 11.31 million and a 3.9 18-49 rating for two-hours, up a tenth from previous week. NBC opened the night with a new Up All Night at 4.88 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, up a tenth from previous week. Look for a move to Thursdays in January. At 8:30pm, a repeat followed and did just 3.92 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, but up some from previous week's repeat. At 9pm, Harry's Law was new and did nothing, doing just a 1.1 18-49 rating, for a series low and the total viewers of 7.21 million is its only thing of note, but that doesn't make the money as this series has lower ad-rated than The CW series at this time. At 10pm, Law & Order: SVU was new doing 7.33 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating for last place and tying series lows for the veteran series. The CW had a repeat of Top Model leading the night off with 1.16 million viewers and a 0.4 18-49 rating, on par with previous week's Ringer encore. The declining fast America's Next Top Model was next at 9pm with 1.9 million and a 0.8 18-49 rating, also on par with the previous week.

Thursday it was CBS on top with the return of new episodes for the entire night after a week off. First, ABC opened the night with A Special Edition of 20/20: Regis Philbin - The Morning Maestro with Katie Couric doing a solid 8.08 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, up from previous week's Charlie's Angels. At 9pm, Grey's Anatomy had its big fall finale the previous week, so this week Private Practice had a two-hour fall finale that did a solid 7.23 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, off only some from previous week. This show can always bring in the numbers on its own even when given the chance. CBS opened with the red-hot The Big Bang Theory at 15.05 million and a 5.3 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. Then, a new Rules of Engagement was next doing 10.9 million and a 3.6 18-49 rating, up a tenth from previous week. Still solid, but CBS keeps trying to do better as this series will be benched in January for Rob Schneider's sitcom Rob! A new episode of Person of Interest followed with 11.65 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, off some from its previous new episode two weeks prior, as the previous week was a repeat for some reason in sweep. A new episode of The Mentalist followed and did 12.21 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, down from its previous new episode two weeks prior, as the previous week was also oddly a repeat. Fox aired a one-hour The X Factor doing 9.71 million and a 3.1 18-49 rating, for another season low. Then at 9pm, week three of veteran Bones did 8.76 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating, up a tenth from previous week with lesser competition. NBC was in the familiar fourth place with the should-be-not leading-off Community getting slaughtered with 3.62 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating only, but up some from previous week. Then Parks and Recreation followed at only 3.68 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, also up some from previous week. Its only positive is the build from the lead-in, like usual. At 9pm The Office jumped to 5.5 million and a 2.9 18-49 rating, down some from previous week and a Thursday low I think. A new episode of Whitney closed the comedy block with only 3.97 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, for series lows. Who watches this crap? NBC's drama bust Prime Suspect closed the night with only 4.34 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating, down some from previous week. NBC has essentially canceled this series with two burn-offs expected on Saturdays in January (14 and 21 at 8pm). The CW's big gun Vampire Diaries and new drama The Secret Circle were preempted for the movie Beneath the Blue that did nothing with 1.1 million and a 0.3 18-49 rating.

Now, final numbers for Friday and Saturday are not available, but CBS won the night thanks to Blue Bloods at 10pm. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition for ABC was up from previous week and NBC's Chuck did terrible ratings again, while week four of Grimm did OK beating Fox's Fringe by a lot, as that tied a series low.
Saturday numbers had ABC Saturday Night Football on top by a wide margin, while CBS repeats were a distant second.

Tonight ABC Sunday is all-new but its normal line-up of AFV, Once Upon a Time, Desperate Housewives, and Pan Am are preempted for the AMA Awards. They should be competitive, especially in 18-49. NBC will win the night with the NFL with the Giants and Eagles, though. CBS has its normal line-up of 60 Minutes, Amazing Race, The Good Wife and CSI: Miami, but look for an NFL overrun boosting it. Fox has the animated comedies from 7-10pm, with The Cleveland Show moving to its new time of 7:30pm.

As for the week (week 9), CBS will win the week in everything. ABC will be second in HH/viewers, but could surpass Fox in 18-49 too with the AMA's. Fox should be third across the board and battle NBC. Why NBC? Tonight's game could be huge and might help them move passed Fox if the animated comedies do poorly tonight without an NFL overrun boost. As for the coming week (week 10), sweeps ends on Wednesday. The final three days of the sweep has the Dancing with the Stars two-night finale that should help ABC. Fox has The X Factor on Tuesday and Wednesday this week, so that will help them. New episodes will air on Thanksgiving Eve, so be aware! It's the last day of sweep, so ad rates are good.

Week 9 How the Sitcoms Did

Last Sunday Sitcoms (counts for Week 8 -- Nov. 7-13)

  • The Simpsons (Fox) - A new episode did 7.5 million and a 3.4 18-49 following NFL action (for the east and central time zones), but again off some from previous week.
  • The Cleveland Show (Fox) - preempted.
  • Allen Gregory (Fox) - The third episode did 4.24 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, down some again from previous week. This show is not going to make it folks.
  • Family Guy (Fox) - An all-new episode was way below normal again doing 6.01 million and a 3.1 18-49 rating, but on par week-to-week.
  • American Dad! (Fox) - A new showing did 4.87 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating at 9:30pm, off a tick week-to-week.

Monday Sitcoms

  • How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - An all-new episode did 10.42 million and a 4.6 18-49 rating, up some from the previous week. One of the surprises in this TV season for its growth.
  • 2 Broke Girls (CBS) - A new airing did 11.477 million a 4.8 18-49 rating, up some as well from the previous week. Quietly the number one new series now, as New Girl has faltered thanks to Fox's scheduling.
  • Two and a Half Men (CBS) - 14.76 million and a 5.4 18-49 rating is excellent and up from previous week.
  • Mike & Molly (CBS) - With the strong lead-in, a new episode did 12.18 million and a 4.4 18-49 rating, also up two tenths from previous week.

Tuesday Sitcoms

  • Last Man Standing (ABC) - An all-new episode in the 8pm half-hour did 9.06 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, on par with previous week and very solid. This show has been consistently in the 2.6-3.0 range since week two. Not bad for a self-starter.
  • Man Up! (ABC) - Week five of this comedy did 6.29 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. ABC will not move forward after 13 episodes, so it is going to be 13 and out. Yes, it is consistent but needs to do better than a 1.7-2.0 rating.
  • New Girl (Fox) - A new episode did 6.91 million and a 3.5 18-49 rating on par week-to-week. Still building from its lead-in, however. So a winner still, despite Fox's terrible scheduling. It is preempted again this Tuesday.
  • Raising Hope (Fox) - A new episode did 4.84 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, up a tenth from previous week. This will never break out, no matter how good people say it is.

Wednesday Sitcoms
  • The Middle (ABC) - After a week off, a new episode did 9.19 million and a 3.0 18-49 rating. Normal numbers now.
  • Suburgatory (ABC) - 8.19 million tuned in for Tessa's sweet 16 party and a 2.9 18-49 rating. Solid, but didn't build from the lead-in for the first time ever.
  • Up All Night (NBC) 2 episodes - A new episode did 4.88 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, up from previous week's lows. A repeat followed with 3.92 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, which is more than the previous week.
  • Modern Family (ABC) - 12.91 million and a 5.6 18-49 rating for a new episode is number one for scripted TV in 18-49.
  • Happy Endings (ABC) - A new episode did 6.94 million and 3.2 18-49 rating. Solid. Great episode, too.

Thursday Sitcoms

  • The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - A new episode did 15.05 million and a 5.3 18-49 rating, on par with the previous week. So far the number one scripted series of the week in total viewers!
  • Rules of Engagement (CBS) - A new episode did 10.9 million and a 3.6 18-49 rating, up a tenth week-to-week and still solid numbers. CBS is benching this series in January. They hate this show that much?
  • Community (NBC) - A new episode did just 3.62 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, up a tenth week-to-week.
  • Parks and Recreation (NBC) - A new showing of this show did 3.68 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, up some week-to-week. The only thing positive is it builds from the lead-in, or it would be a loser, too.
  • The Office (NBC) - A new episode did 5.5 million and a 2.9 18-49 rating, for the best of the block like usual, but still down some from previous week.
  • Whitney (NBC) - A new episode did just 3.97 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, down from previous week. Why is this show going to kick-off a night in January? It'll be a Community 2 in the ratings.

Friday Sitcoms

  • None.

Saturday Sitcoms

  • The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - A repeat on Comedytime Saturday did a prelim 4.4 million and a prelim 1.2 18-49 rating. Not bad for a Saturday repeat.
  • 2 Broke Girls (CBS) - A repeat followed with a prelim 4.14 million and a prelim 1.3 18-49 rating. Not bad at all!

Airing tonight (Sunday) are Fox's animated comedies from 7-10pm, including the 7:30pm premiere of The Cleveland Show.

Summing it up. Modern Family, The Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men, 2 Broke Girls, How I Met Your Mother, Mike & Molly, New Girl, Rules of Engagement, The Middle, Suburgatory were impressive for the week. Everything else was OK (such as Raising Hope, Up All Night) or just plain old terrible (such as Community, Whitney).


Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Friday, September 22

none scheduled

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of September 18)

Friday, September 22

  • Kathryn Newton (Gary Unmarried) - Watch Kathryn on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Ralph Harris (On Our Own) and Jimmie "JJ" Walker (Good Times/At Ease/Bustin' Loose) - Ralph and Jimmie are guests on repeats of Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen on CBS between 12:37-1:37am.
  • Alfonso Ribeiro (In the House/The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air/Silver Spoons) - Alfonso is a guest on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your listings.
  • Sam Jay (Bust Down) - Sam appears on PIX11 Morning News on WPIX in New York at 8:50am.


New on DVD/Blu-ray (June-October)

Mayberry R.F.D. - The Complete Series Night Court (1984-1992) - The Complete Series Family Matters - The Complete Series Step by Step - The Complete Series ALF - The Complete Series (Deluxe Edition)

06/13 - Mayberry R.F.D. - The Complete Series
06/13 - Night Court (1984-1992) - The Complete Series
07/18 - South Park - Seasons 21-25 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
07/25 - The Neighborhood - Season Five
07/25 - Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin - Season One
07/25 - Superstore - The Complete Series
08/22 - Back to Life - Season 1 / Season 2
08/29 - Smiling Friends - Season 1 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
09/05 - Young Sheldon - The Complete Sixth Season
09/12 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Second Season
09/12 - Rick and Morty - The Complete Seasons 1-6 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
09/26 - Family Matters - The Complete Series
09/26 - Step by Step - The Complete Series
10/10 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Complete Season Thirteen / The Complete Season Fourteen
10/17 - ALF - The Complete Series (Deluxe Edition) (Shout! Factory Special Offers)
10/17 - Night Court (2023) - The Complete First Season
More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD Releases / DVD Reviews Archive / SitcomsOnline Digest


Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts

09/22 - The Santa Clauses Season 2 Launches November 8; CBS Alters Fall Schedule
09/21 - Penn & Teller: Fool Us Gets New Return Date; Netflix's Unicorn Academy Premieres November 2
09/20 - Paramount+ Announces Colin from Accounts; The Really Loud House Gets Halloween Movie
09/19 - The Simpsons Season 34 Streams October 11 on Disney+; Good Burger 2 Set for Holiday Season
09/18 - Hulu's Huluween and Disney+'s Hallowstream Line-Up; Shining Vale Returns October 13 on STARZ
09/17 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 18, 2023)
09/16 - SitcomsOnline Digest: ABC Cancels Wonder Years Reboot; Byron Allen Makes $10 Billion Offer to Buy ABC
09/15 - Antenna TV's Bewitched Halloween Marathon; Rewind TV's Sabrina the Teenage Witch-O-Ween Marathon
09/14 - Dancing with the Stars Season 32 Cast; BUZZR Celebrates 40 Years of Press Your Luck
09/13 - TBS Acquires Modern Family; The Frasier Awards on COZI TV
09/12 - Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen Gets CBS Late Night Run; Unsolved Mysteries: Behind the Legacy Special
09/11 - Matt Rife Gets Netflix Special; Star Trek Day and Kid Cudi Join Forces
09/10 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 11, 2023)
09/09 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Warner Bros. Television Suspends Deals with Top Creators; Fran Drescher Re-Elected President of SAG-AFTRA
09/08 - CBS Announces Hosts of Game Show; New Goosebumps Premieres Friday the 13th This October on Disney+ and Hulu
09/07 - MeTV Presents Svengoolie's Halloween BOOnanza!; The CW Moving Fall Comedies to Thursdays
09/06 - CBS to Air NCIS: Sydney This Fall; Fox Makes Fall Change
09/05 - TBS and TNT September Stunts Include Big Bang Theory Batman Day Marathon; Netflix UK Produced Series Updates
09/04 - TV Marathons on Labor Day 2023 Include Three's Company
09/03 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 4, 2023)
09/02 - SitcomsOnline Digest: No Third Season for How I Met Your Father; Spectrum Dispute with Disney Could Spell End of Cable
09/01 - September Is Anniversary Month on Hulu; Freeform's 31 Nights of Halloween Returns for Its 25th Anniversary
08/31 - Max's Original Comedy Series Starstruck Season 3 and Our Flag Means Death Season 2 Premiere Dates; AXS TV Announces Fall Programming Lineup
08/30 - The Partridge Family Coming to AXS TV Starting Oct. 2; CBS to Air A Tribute to Bob Barker Special Aug. 31, Marathon of Match Game Episodes to Air Sept. 2 on Game Show Network
08/29 - Once Upon a Time Coming to Hulu; Young Love Launches on Max in September
08/28 - Remembering TV Legend Bob Barker; Wolf Like Me Returns in October on Peacock
08/27 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of August 28, 2023)
08/26 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Frasier Reboot Date Set, With CBS Also Airing First Two Episodes; Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. Cancelled
08/25 - Rick and Morty Returns October 15; Switch New Season Begins September 18 on Game Show Network
08/24 - Hulu Fall 2023 Slate; Apple TV+ Series Still Up Debuts Trailer
08/23 - Frasier Returns October 12 on Paramount+; And Just Like That... Renewed for Season 3
08/22 - ABC Fall 2023 Premiere Dates and Revised Schedule; Upload Season 3 Returns October 20