Sunday, January 15, 2012

Week 17 TV Ratings and Analysis; How the Sitcoms Did

2011-12 Week 17 TV Ratings (first four nights, Mon-Thu):

Households: #1. CBS 7.3 rating/11.3 share; #2. ABC 5.0/7.8; #3. NBC 3.7/5.7; #4. Fox 2.5/3.9; #5. The CW 0.8/1.3
Total Viewers: #1. CBS 11.66 million; #2. ABC 7.79 million; #3. NBC 5.76 million; #4. Fox 4.14 million; #5. The CW 1.25 million.
Adults 18-49: #1. CBS 2.8 rating/7.1 share; #2. ABC 2.5/6.4; #3. NBC 1.8/4.7; #4. Fox 1.3/3.5, #5. The CW 0.5/1.4

Week 17 (Jan. 9-15) Analysis: Week 17 had more new episode returns but still some repeats are airing, especially on Fox. The first four night network averages has CBS on top in all categories once again. ABC follows in a comfortable second. And then NBC and Fox are neck-and-neck for third in all categories, with NBC with the edge and a bigger edge than previous week. When the week is over with, CBS will win the week as they had a NFL Divisional Playoff game in primetime last night. Fox could make a run if the Giants/Packers game bleeds into primetime by a lot tonight, but NBC has no NFL this week so they could be fourth for the week even with the Golden Globes tonight. More on the prediction of week 17 below. As for last week, week 16, CBS won the week in all key categories thanks to the huge NFL Wild Card overrun on Sunday. NBC was so bad they only were in second despite an actual NFL Wild Card game in primetime on Saturday that boosted them big time. ABC was third in all categories, while Fox was fourth across the board again.

On Monday, it was a ABC victory with CBS in repeats. On ABC, The Bachelor started it off from 8-10pm with 7.31 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, down some from previous week's premiere, for its lowest rating ever but look for it to build as the weeks go on as there was the BCS Championship Game on ESPN. At 10pm, Castle returned with a new episode and did a solid 9.76 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, up a tad from its last new episode in December. For CBS, How I Met Your Mother was a repeat doing 6.47 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, which is decent for a repeat. Then a repeat of 2 Broke Girls followed doing a better 7.25 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, with nice builds from the lead-in like usual. At 9pm, a repeat pf Two and a Half Men did 8.35 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, which is good but it didn't built from its lead-in's 18-49 rating like it usually would. A repeat of Mike & Molly followed and did 7.72 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, holding on to its lead-in's ratings completely. A repeat of Hawaii Five-0 was next doing 6.19 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating. Fox aired two repeats of House and did just 3.3 million and a 1.0 18-49 rating at 8pm, down some from previous week. The the 9pm House repeat did 3.29 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating, basically on par with previous week. New episodes return next Monday, as the two-hour premiere of Alcatraz is tomorrow night. NBC started the night with new game show Who's Still Standing? and did 6.19 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, up a tenth from previous week. Then at 9pm a new Fear Factor did 5.53 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, down a tenth week-to-week. I really think this show should air at 8pm to jump start a night for NBC, bur yet another weird move by NBC. At 10pm, NBC aired a new episode of Rock Center with Brian Williams and it did an embarrassing 3.04 million and a 0.7 18-49 rating, down big from previous week and tying its series low. The CW was in repeats, as the 8pm repeat of Gossip Girl did 680,000 viewers and a 0.2 18-49 rating. At 9pm a Hart of Dixie repeat did 870,000 viewers and a 0.3 18-49 rating.

On Tuesday, it was CBS with the win this time. CBS had a new NCIS do 21.03 million and a 4.1 18-49 rating, on par with previous week but total viewers was up solidly from previous week. It seems this show gets 20-22 million every January. Then NCIS: Los Angeles did 16.6 million and a 3.3 18-49 rating, down some from previous week despite a higher lead-in. And at 10pm, a new Unforgettable did 11.2 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, down a half a point from previous week. Weird how this show goes up and down like that. ABC started with new comedy Last Man Standing with Tim Allen leading the night off doing 7.57 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating for a new showing, which was down from previous week and a series low. The New Hampshire primary results were before it for a few minutes (some market preemptions also), so that might have threw it off. At 8:30pm week two of Work It followed doing 4.9 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, down a half a point from previous week, and thus ABC has pulled the series after just two episodes. I didn't think it was all that bad in quality, but the hate has been overwhelming. Repeats of Last Man will air starting this week for the next three weeks. Then at 9pm, ABC aired a new Celebrity Wife Swap and did 5.21 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, on par with previous week and solid. This is reality filler until the new drama The River launches on Feb. 7. Body of Proof was next at 10pm and was also new doing 6.9 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, which was up a tenth from previous week. If ABC wants to create programming for Fridays next season, perhaps this show is an option--I think it should be back one way or another as it does OK when Dancing airs. Fox aired a repeat of Glee and did only 3.1 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating, up some from previous week's repeat. Then the comedies took the 9pm hour with a repeat of New Girl doing 3.34 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. Then at 9:30pm a Raising Hope repeat did 2.83 million and a 1.0 18-49 rating, up a tenth from previous week. NBC was next with The Biggest Loser from 8-10pm doing 6.65 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, which is on par with its premiere the previous week. At 10pm, NBC aired a new Parenthood and did just 4.7 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, which is below normal again but on par with previous week. The CW preempted 90210 and Ringer for the movie Table for Three and did only 590,000 viewers and a 0.2 18-49 rating.

Wednesday it was ABC with the win. First, CBS started the night off with a repeat of Criminal Minds at a special time doing 8.54 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating, which is decent. Then from 9-11pm, Criminal Minds and CSI were preempted for the People's Choice Awards that did 8.88 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, down from last year and its lowest telecast ever. ABC was all-new for its Laugh On comedy block with The Middle doing 9.45 million and a 2.9 18-49 rating, which is solid and down a tenth week-to-week. Suburgatory followed at 8:30pm with 8.75 million and a 2.9 18-49 rating, identical to previous week. Solid. The mega hit Modern Family was next at 9pm and it did 12.12 million and 5.1 18-49 rating for a new episode, down from previous week as I guess the awards was a factor. At 9:30pm, Happy Endings was new and did 6.68 million and a 3.0 18-49 rating, solid and consistent but down a few tenths from previous week. At 10pm a new episode of the addicting Revenge did 7.58 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week. This week's episode looks like a thriller! Fox aired a repeat of Mobbed doing 2.76 million and a 1.0 18-49 rating at 8pm. Then at 9pm a new Mobbed special did just 3.42 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, but up a tenth from previous week. NBC opened the night with the new night and time premiere of Whitney doing 5.79 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, not great but not terrible. I just don't think it will stay at this level. The series premiere of Are You There, Chelsea followed with 6.18 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, building from its lead-in. Will this be enough for NBC or will it go down a lot this week when Idol premieres? At 9pm, Harry's Law was all-new doing 8.39 million and only a 1.2 18-49 rating. It is so old skewing. And at 10pm, Law & Order: SVU was new too and did 8.4 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, building sharply from its lead-in and good for second place in the time period. The CW had the season premiere of One Tree Hill at 8pm doing 1.72 million and a 0.9 18-49 rating. Then at 9pm an immediate repeat did 740,000 viewers and a 0.3 18-49 rating. Interesting that they aired an immediate repeat.

Thursday it was CBS over ABC. Either CBS or ABC keeps winning nights the past two weeks from Mon-Thurs. ABC opened the night with a new Winter Wipeout doing a solid 7.12 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, but down from previous week's premiere. At 9pm, a new Grey's Anatomy aired doing 10.71 million and a 3.8 18-49 rating, great but down from its season high the previous week. At 10pm, Private Practice was next and did a solid 6.55 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, which was down some from previous week. CBS opened with a new The Big Bang Theory at 16.13 million and a 5.3 18-49 rating, great for likely the #1 TV show airing of the week. Then the series premiere of Rob was next doing 13.47 million and a 4.1 18-49 rating, up from any airing of Rules of Engagement this season. Keep in mind, the canceled $#*! My Dad Says opened similarly, so let's not call Rob a big hit just yet. It's a good start with Idol coming this week. A new Person of Interest benefited from the stronger lead-in and did 14.86 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating, its best numbers in a while. A new The Mentalist followed and did 13.65 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating, its usual performance. Fox aired a new Bones at 8pm doing 8.64 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, solid. But the series premiere of the spin-off series The Finder at 9pm did just 5.5 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, not good. Will an Idol lead-in help? We shall see this week. NBC was all-new with the season premiere of 30 Rock up first doing just 4.47 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating, its lowest premiere ever. A bit better than Community maybe. Then Parks and Recreation was next doing 4.09 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating. The Office was next at 9pm doing 5.9 million and a 2.9 18-49 rating. At 9:30pm Up All Night moved to its new night and time and did 4.24 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, on par with Whitney. Face it, NBC doesn't have any scripted hits. At 10pm, it was the timeslot premiere of new drama The Firm and it did only 4.23 million and a 1.0 18-49 rating. Prime Suspect style. Total mismatch out of these comedies. The CW's big gun Vampire Diaries was all-new and did 2.86 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating, down from previous week. At 9pm, new drama The Secret Circle was new and did 1.93 million and a 0.8 18-49 rating, on par with previous week despite the lead-in going down.

Now, final numbers for Friday and Saturday are not available, but CBS and ABC did decent on Friday night and won the night. ABC aired the two-hour finale of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition which did season best numbers and won the 9pm hour. CBS aired new episodes of its dramas lead by Blue Bloods at 10. NBC's Chuck was new but of course low at 8pm, while Grimm returned below normal and third place.
Saturday numbers have CBS of course winning the night by a huge margin with the NFL Divisional Playoff Game. It could have been higher even if the game was closer, but still huge. Fox had a little overrun that helped them for second, otherwise ABC's Miss America was solid and second place .

Tonight ABC's regular Sunday of AFV, Once Upon a Time, Desperate Housewives and Pan Am is all-new! Last Sunday Once Upon a Time did big even opposite the end of the Tebow game in the east/central. NBC has no NFL anymore on Sundays until next fall, but they have The Golden Globes tonight from 8-11pm, which could be second for the night. CBS has an all-new 60 Minutes at 7pm followed by the season premiere of Undercover Boss, then new episodes of The Good Wife and CSI: Miami. CBS will likely be fourth place with no NFL tonight. Fox has new episodes of the animated comedies from 8-10pm following the NFL Divisional Playoff overrun that could seal them first place for the night despite their actual line-up will probably be second or third from 8-10pm.

As for the week (week 17), it should be CBS with the win after the game last night. ABC will be second in HH/viewers, but Fox could come all the way back to second cause of NFL overrun tonight. If not, maybe third. NBC will not go down without a fight form tonight's awards, but will likely be fourth for the week. As for the coming week (week 18), it is the return of American Idol. Also we have new series Alcatraz premiering tomorrow night on Fox. Friday has the season premieres of Shark Tank and What Would You Do on ABC.

Week 17 How the Sitcoms Did

Last Sunday Sitcoms (counts for Week 16 -- Jan. 2-8)

  • The Simpsons (Fox) - A new episode did only 5.07 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating as it got hurt in the east and central zones by NFL Wild Card playoff overrun on CBS.
  • The Cleveland Show (Fox) - A new episode at a special time of 8:30pm did 4.48 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, not too good but held nearly all of its lead-in's ratings. A repeat earlier at 7:30pm did just 2.36 million and a 1.0 18-49 rating.
  • Bob's Burgers (Fox) - A repeat at 7pm did just 1.84 million and a 0.7 18-49 rating.
  • Family Guy (Fox) - A new showing did 6.23 million and a 3.1 18-49 rating, the best of the Fox block again but it hasn't been doing great this season.
  • American Dad! (Fox) - A new episode at 9:30pm did 4.79 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating. Not that good.

Monday Sitcoms

  • How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - A repeat did 6.47 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, which is a bit below normal for this show in a repeat--but solid.
  • 2 Broke Girls (CBS) - A repeat did 7.25 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, which is good for a repeat and built again from its lead-in.
  • Two and a Half Men (CBS) - 8.35 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating for a repeat is solid but for the second time in a row in repeat mode, it lost a tenth from its lead-in's 18-49 rating.
  • Mike & Molly (CBS) - A repeat did 7.72 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, solid and held 100% of its lead-in's ratings.

Tuesday Sitcoms

  • Last Man Standing (ABC) - A new episode in its 8pm half-hour did 7.57 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, which is a series low. Could be better and will be better in coming weeks, as there was some preemptions for New Hampshire primary and all markets started it a few minutes late.
  • Work It (ABC) - Week two did 4.9 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, which is not good. If it did its premiere numbers then ABC would have taken it, but this is not good and ABC has pulled it now. If it ever airs again, it will be to burn-off episodes.
  • New Girl (Fox) - A repeat did 3.34 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, which is on par week-to-week.
  • Raising Hope (Fox) - A repeat did 2.83 million and only a 1.0 18-49 rating, which is up a tenth from the previous week.

Wednesday Sitcoms
  • The Middle (ABC) - A new showing did 9.45 million and a 2.9 18-49 rating, another solid showing but down a tenth from previous week.
  • Suburgatory (ABC) - A new episode did 8.75 million and a 2.9 18-49 rating, exactly the same from previous week. Consistent.
  • Whitney (NBC) - A new episode on its new night and time started off with 5.79 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, which is actually an OK launch but can it stay here with hurricane Idol coming? Probably not.
  • Are You There, Chelsea? (NBC) - The series premiere did 6.18 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, building from its lead-in and doing OK. Like with the lead-in, it probably won't hold up. At least it will be better than Free Agents. Hopefully.
  • Modern Family (ABC) - A new episode did 12.12 million and a 5.1 18-49 rating, but that was down from previous week with the People's Choice Awards airing on CBS. Still #1 for the night and probably #2 for the week in TV shows.
  • Happy Endings (ABC) - A new episode did 6.68 million and a 3.0 18-49 rating, solid and only down a few from previous week. See retention doesn't matter for this show as its lead-in was down more and it didn't go as down as much.

Thursday Sitcoms

  • The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - A new episode did 16.13 million and a 5.3 18-49 rating, great return with new episodes. Nothing much more to say.
  • Rob (CBS) - The series premiere did 13.47 million and a 4.1 18-49 rating, which is very good. It will be interesting how much it drops this week. I guess quality sometimes doesn't count as this pilot wasn't very good.
  • 30 Rock (NBC) - The season premiere did just 4.47 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating. This could be the last season maybe?
  • Parks and Recreation (NBC) - A new episode followed with only 4.09 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, but it did build a bit from its lead-in.
  • The Office (NBC) - A new airing at 9pm did 5.9 million and a 2.9 18-49 rating, by far the best of the block for NBC.
  • Up All Night (NBC) - A new airing on its new night and time did 4.24 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating. That's Whitney style.

Friday Sitcoms

  • None.

Saturday Sitcoms

  • None.

Airing tonight (Sunday) are new episodes of Fox's animated comedies from 8-10pm following NFL action, with the series premiere of Napoleon Dynamite at 8:30pm and another new episode at 9:30pm.

Summing it up. The Big Bang Theory, Modern Family, Rob, Suburgatory, The Middle, The Office, Happy Endings, 2 Broke Girls, Two and a Half Men, Mike & Molly were impressive for the week. Everything else was OK (such as Are You There Chelsea, Whitney) or just plain old terrible (such as Work It, 30 Rock).


Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Wednesday, October 4

Tyler Perry's Assisted Living - "Love Grows Here" (BET, 9:00PM ET/PT)
After Phillip goes out with his friends, Leah and Jeremy realize that he is a responsible young man. Through a counseling session, Leah and Cora teach the residents the importance of mental, physical and spiritual health.

Tyler Perry's Assisted Living - "Let The Church Say Amen" (BET, 9:30PM ET/PT)
When Cora runs for president of the local church, mud-slinging and sabotage threaten her reputation and test her faith. The Pleasant Days squad bolsters their ability to protect themselves by taking a self-defense class.

Tyler Perry's Assisted Living - "The White Flag" (BET, 10:00PM ET/PT)
Philip feels as though he is being treated like a child and resists his parents' punishment. Mr. Brown sends Kimberly an innocent text message that gets him into trouble.

The Ms. Pat Show - "Twenty Seven Side Pieces" (BET, 10:30PM ET/PT)
Denise gets a job at a Black hair salon but has to recruit Pat to deal with some "mean girls;" Terry is still in pain from his injury, but pain management comes in more forms than one, none of them good.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of October 2)

Wednesday, October 4

  • Wanda Sykes (The Upshaws/The New Adventures of Old Christine/Wanda at Large) - Watch Wanda on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Chelsea Handler (Are You There, Chelsea?) - Chelsea appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation) - Nick is a guest on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC. NBC's Today catches up with Nick in the 9am hour.
  • Siobhan Fallon Hogan (Fred: The Show) - Siobhan appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Jane Krakowski (Schmigadoon!/Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt/30 Rock) - Jane gives latest details on the series Name That Tune on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your listings.
  • Bellamy Young (The Other Black Girl) - Bellamy will be on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
  • Phil Rosenthal (Creator of Everybody Loves Raymond) - Phil is a guest on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
  • Tiffani Thiessen (Saved by the Bell/Alexa & Katie/Good Morning, Miami/Saved by the Bell: The College Years) - Tiffani shares recipes from her new cookbook, Here We Go Again: Recipes and Inspiration to Level Up Your Leftovers, on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
  • Leslie Odom Jr. (Central Park/Love in the Time of Corona/Big Day) - Leslie chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
  • Sheryl Lee Ralph (Abbott Elementary/Fam/Instant Mom/Moesha/It's a Living) - Sheryl Lee appears on a repeat of The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.


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


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09/07 - MeTV Presents Svengoolie's Halloween BOOnanza!; The CW Moving Fall Comedies to Thursdays
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