Week 24 TV Ratings and Analysis; How the Sitcoms Did

Sunday, March 04, 2012

Week 24 TV Ratings and Analysis; How the Sitcoms Did

2011-12 Week 24 TV Ratings (first four nights, Mon-Thu):

Households: #1. Fox 9.5 rating/14.7 share; #2. CBS 7.2/11.3; #3. ABC 4.2/6.6; #4. NBC 4.1/6.5; #5. The CW 0.8/1.2
Total Viewers: #1. Fox 16.19 million; #2. CBS 11.42 million; #3. NBC 6.59 million; #4. ABC 6.4 million; #5. The CW 1.15 million.
Adults 18-49: #1. Fox 5.0 rating/13.2 share; #2. CBS 2.7/7.3; #3. NBC 2.4/6.3; #4. ABC 2.0/5.3; #5. The CW 0.5/1.3

Week 24 (Feb. 27-Mar. 4) Analysis: Week 24 saw three nights of Idol with six hours of programming. That means only three hours weren't Idol for the first four nights on Fox. February sweeps ended on Wednesday, so Thursday has had repeats on every network but Fox and NBC this week. Through the first four nights, Fox is first in all categories, as it should be with three nights of a top-series. CBS had to settle for second in all categories. For third, ABC has the slight edge in HH, but NBC has the edge in viewers and 18-49. ABC would have been a clear third likely if ABC was new on Thursday. When the week is over by tonight, NBC will be fourth in all categories. More on the prediction of week 24 below. As for last week, week 23, ABC took top honors in all categories thanks to a very good showing by the Academy Awards doing 39.34 million and an 11.7 18-49 rating. It didn't break any records, but it wasn't down from last year and Billy Crystal did a good job hosting. CBS was second in HH/viewers, but Fox beat CBS by a tenth in 18-49 for second place. Fox was third in HH/viewers and that means NBC was fourth in all categories, even with The Voice.

On Monday, it was Fox with the win in primetime thanks to a delayed Daytona 500. First, on ABC, The Bachelor started it off from 8-10pm with 8.05 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, up a tenth from the previous week. It has held up well against new competition. At 10pm, Castle was all-new and did 9.1 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. It will see its ratings go up starting March 19 for sure. For CBS, How I Met Your Mother was new doing 9.07 million and a 3.6 18-49 rating, down two tenths from previous week. Then a new episode of breakout hit 2 Broke Girls followed doing a better 10.18 million and a 3.8 18-49 rating, but down two tenths week-to-week tying a series low. At 9pm, a new showing of Two and a Half Men did a below normal 11.92 million and a 3.6 18-49 rating, which is down six tenths from previous week for a series low. And it didn't build from its lead-in, as it seems it was hurt by the Daytona 500 race. A new Mike & Molly followed and did 10.12 million and a 2.9 18-49 rating, which is down half a point from previous week for a season (or series?) low. A new episode of Hawaii Five-0 was next doing 9.58 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, down tenths week-to-week for a season low. Fox couldn't air House and Alcatraz because of the delayed coverage of the Daytona 500 and they were glad it was delayed into primetime (thru 11:36pm ET) because it did 13.67 million and a 4.5 18-49 rating. That was enough for them to surpass NBC for the win. In primetime (8-11pm), the race was even better doing 14.05 million and a 4.6 18-49 rating. NBC started it off with a two-hour The Voice and did 14.89 million and a 5.4 18-49 rating, which is down six tenths from previous week. Will it rebound tomorrow or is this where it will be now? Then at 10pm week four of critical darling Smash was next at 10 doing a third place 6.64 million and a second place 2.3 18-49 rating, which is on par with the previous week. By March 19, it will likely be third place in 18-49. It costs a lot of money to make, so it should be first place every week if it wants to survive, especially since it has a huge lead-in. The CW was all-new, at 8pm the why-is-it-still-on Gossip Girl did 1.11 million and a 0.5 18-49 rating, which is on par with previous week again. At 9pm a new Hart of Dixie did 1.41 million and a 0.5 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week. The CW is terrible.

On Tuesday, it was all Fox as Idol invaded Tuesday. At CBS, a new NCIS at 8 started it off with 18.2 million and a 3.5 18-49 rating, which is down another tenth from previous week. Total viewer drop was steeper. Then a new NCIS: Los Angeles at 9pm did 15.85 million and a 3.1 18-49 rating, which is up four tenths from previous week's season low (maybe a series low?). At 10pm, a new Unforgettable did 9.93 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, which is down a tenth from previous week for another series low. Will CBS bring this back next season? ABC started with a new Last Man Standing with Tim Allen leading the night off doing 7.5 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, which was again on par with previous week with steeper competition. At 8:30pm, a new episode of the awesome Cougar Town did 4.3 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, which is down a tenth from previous week. Not much of a drop against Idol. It will be better I think this week with Glee on hiatus for five weeks, so let's see what happens in the next few weeks. The episodes are coming out top-notch, especially this week and next week, as Sarah Chalke starts her four-episode arc. At 9pm, new horror/adventure series The River did 4.04 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, down two tenths from previous week. Should be better than this. Body of Proof was next at 10 and did 6.83 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week. I think ABC should bring this show back next season, but not in this slot...maybe for 13 episodes on Fridays in the fall. Fox preempted Glee and comedies New Girl and Raising Hope for a two-hour American Idol that did 16.11 million and a 5.1 18-49 rating, more than enough to win the night despite big year-to-year drops. NBC was next with The Biggest Loser from 8-10pm doing 5.7 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, which is down three tenths from previous week for a series low. Parenthood was next with its season finale and did 5.16 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, up two tenths from previous week. The CW preempted 90210 for a repeat of Hart of Dixie doing just 820,000 viewers and a 0.3 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. Then at 9pm, Ringer was new and did not benefit with the lead-in being a repeat so it did 1.15 million and a 0.4 18-49 rating, not good, down a tenth week-to-week, tying a series low.

Wednesday it was Fox with the easy win again with a two-hour expanded Idol leading the way of course. First, CBS started the night off with a new Survivor: One World doing 10.65 million and a 2.9 18-49 rating, which is up a tenth from the previous week. Then at 9pm, a new Criminal Minds did 12.54 million and a 3.1 18-49 rating, on par again with previous week. And at 10pm a new CSI did 11.3 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, down three tenths from previous week as more competition aired. ABC was all-new for its Laugh On comedy block with The Middle doing 8.23 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, up four tenths from previous week's season low. Hilarious episode! Suburgatory followed at 8:30pm with 6.85 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, which is on par with previous week. The mega hit Modern Family was next at 9pm and it did 11.63 million and 4.8 18-49 rating for a new showing, on par with previous week and not bad at all against Idol head-to-head. At 9:30pm, Happy Endings was new and did 5.94 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating, up three tenths from the previous week. At 10pm the addicting Revenge did 7.53 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, for the excellent aftermath episode. The series returns in early April, but you can watch ABC News' Revenge for Real specials the next two weeks. Fox aired American Idol from 8-10pm doing 17.23 million and a 5.0 18-49 rating, down a a tenth from previous week but up a good amount in total viewers. NBC opened the night with a new episode of the terrible series Whitney doing 4.13 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, basically the same as the previous week. Week eight of Are You There, Chelsea followed with only 3.45 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, on par with previous week's series low. At 9pm, Rock Center with Brian Williams did only 2.75 million and a 0.7 18-49 rating, which is atrocious but actually up a tenth from previous week's series low. This is not needed in primetime. And at 10pm, Law & Order: SVU was new and did 5.42 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, on par with previous week's series low. NBC is in bad shape, besides The Voice. The CW had a new One Tree Hill at 8pm doing 1.57 million and a 0.7 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week. This show is ending and its one of their best performing series. Sad. Then at 9pm the season premiere of America's Next Top Model did only 1.17 million and a 0.5 18-49 rating. Wow, One Tree even did better. Time to pack the bags for this show, Tyra Banks.

Thursday it was Fox making it four for four this week on this first night after February sweep ended. Starting with ABC, they opened the night with a repeat of Winter Wipeout doing 4.56 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating. At 9pm, a repeat of Grey's Anatomy aired doing 3.39 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating, as it doesn't repeat too well. At 10pm, Private Practice was preempted for an encore of Jimmy Kimmel Live! After the Academy Awards doing 2.97 million and a 0.9 18-49 rating. CBS opened with a repeat The Big Bang Theory at 11.11 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating, unbelievably good these days for a repeat. Then the season finale of Rob was next doing 8.93 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, down another three tenths from previous week for another series low. Will this show be back next season? A repeat of Person of Interest did 9.46 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating. A repeat of The Mentalist followed and did 8.93 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, which seems normal for a repeat of this show. Fox aired American Idol from 8-10pm this week doing 18.45 million and a 5.4 18-49 rating, up nine tenths from previous week's season low when it was just one-hour. Fox preempted The Finder and it will have its final Thursday airing this coming week before it moves to Fridays at 8pm next month. NBC was all-new with a new 30 Rock up first doing just 3.75 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week. At 8:30pm, Parks and Recreation did just 3.69 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, on par again with previous week. The Office was next and did just 4.87 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week. At 9:30pm Up All Night was new and did just 3.38 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, as it was down a tenth week-to-week. At 10pm, the series premiere of Awake did not do much with 6.25 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating against limited competition. As I said last week, to me it doesn't look to have mass appeal, so it won't do well--and it didn't. The CW's big gun Vampire Diaries was a repeat and did 1.07 million and a 0.4 18-49 rating, off a tenth week-to-week. Then at 9pm, drama The Secret Circle was preempted for a repeat of Supernatural and did just 920,000 viewers and a 0.3 18-49 rating, which was on par with previous week.

Now, final numbers for Friday and Saturday are not available, but ABC won the night. ABC was strong with Shark Tank at 8pm but CBS was on top at 8 with Undercover Boss. At 9pm What Would You Do? was solid for ABC tying NBC's Grimm for first place. CBS' Blue Bloods was solid at 10 and won the hour, edging ABC's 20/20. Fox's Fringe in on hiatus until April.
Saturday numbers have ABC winning the night for a second straight night as Fox bombed with the premiere of Q'Viva. ABC was led by the 9-11pm premiere of limited news series 20/20: My Extreme Affliction which did well for a Saturday.

Tonight ABC's line-up is all-new with AFV, Once Upon a Time, Desperate Housewives and the series premiere of GCB. Look for great numbers I think for that premiere and ABC will win the night as Once is the top show on Sunday. NBC has Dateline at 7 followed by three-hours of Celebrity Apprentice, but the 8pm hour is a repeat. CBS has new airing of 60 Minutes then a new Amazing Race, followed by new episodes of The Good Wife and CSI: Miami. I think that is a fourth place finish for CBS, though. Fox has all-new episodes of Animation Domination starting at 7:30pm, which should be neck and neck with NBC.

As for the week (week 24), Fox will likely win the week in all categories thanks to the six hourso f Idol. CBS should hang on to second despite ABC's wins on Fri-Sat and likely on Sunday, too. ABC should be third across the board, with NBC settling for fourth place like usual. As for the coming week (week 25), Fox launches a two-hour comedy block on Tuesday with the return of Breaking In at 9:30pm on Tuesdays. The comedy pick of Tuesday goes to Cougar Town though as Sarah Chalke of Scrubs starts her four-episode arc! A must see! It's slow week otherwise.

Week 24 How the Sitcoms Did

Last Sunday Sitcoms (counts for Week 23 -- Feb. 20-26)

The Simpsons (Fox) - A repeat did 3.83 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating against the Oscar's.
Napoleon Dynamite (Fox) - A repeat did 3.65 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, holding everything from its lead-in. Positive, but in new episodes it hasn't done too well.
The Cleveland Show (Fox) - A repeat at 7:30pm did just 2.54 million and a 1.0 18-49 rating, but it was only down a few tenths from previous week when it was new. This show needs to be airing at 8:30.
Bob's Burgers (Fox) - A repeat at 7pm did 2.02 million and a 0.8 18-49 rating, not good but up a few tenths from previous week.
Family Guy (Fox) - A repeat at 9 did 3.57 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, on par with the lead-in but this show usually builds from its lead-in. Odd.
American Dad! (Fox) - A repeat at 9:30pm did 3.27 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, good retention from its lead-in.

Monday Sitcoms

How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - A new episode did 9.07 million and a 3.6 18-49 rating, which is down two tenths from the previous week. Below normal for three weeks in a row, but still nothing to worry about.
2 Broke Girls (CBS) - A new episode did 10.18 million and a 3.8 18-49 rating, which is great but down two tenths from previous week to tie its series low.
Two and a Half Men (CBS) - 11.92 million and a 3.6 18-49 rating for this show is way below normal and down six tenths from the previous week. Series low!
Mike & Molly (CBS) - A new airing did 10.12 million and a 2.9 18-49 rating, down half a point from previous week. A season low and likely a series low, too.

Tuesday Sitcoms

Last Man Standing (ABC) - A new airing in its 8pm half-hour did 7.5 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, which is on par with previous week again even with Idol in the picture. While this is still below normal for this show, it is decent since it faced tougher competition.
Cougar Town (ABC) - Week three did 4.3 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week. No surprise it was down some against Idol, but I though it would be worse. Good things are coming starting this Tuesday with no Glee and the episodes are hilarious must-see episodes with Scrubs star Sarah Chalke starting her four-episode arc. Tune in! March 13 is a BRILLIANT episode! I highly recommend!
New Girl (Fox) - preempted.
Raising Hope (Fox) - preempted, moves to 8pm this week.

Wednesday Sitcoms

The Middle (ABC) - A new episode did 8.23 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, which is up four tenths from previous week's season low. I knew it would be better.
Suburgatory (ABC) - A new airing did 6.85 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, on par with previous week.
Whitney (NBC) - A new episode did just 4.13 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, which is on par with previous week.
Are You There, Chelsea? (NBC) - Week seven did only 3.45 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, on par with previous week and tying its series low.
Modern Family (ABC) - A new episode did 11.63 million and a 4.8 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. Next new episode is March 14, as a repeats airs this week.
Happy Endings (ABC) - A new episode did 5.94 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating, up three tenths from previous week despite its lead-in being on par with the previous week. It is ALL-NEW this week with the other comedies being repeats, so don't forget.

Thursday Sitcoms

The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - A repeat did 11.11 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating, which is amazing for a repeat.
Rob (CBS) - The season finale did 8.93 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, down three tenths from previous week for a series low, but it was out of a repeat lead-in.
30 Rock (NBC) - A new episode at 8 did just 3.75 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week. Time to go.
Parks and Recreation (NBC) - A new episode did just 3.69 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, on par again with previous week.
The Office (NBC) - A new episode did just 4.87 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week.
Up All Night (NBC) - A new episode did just 3.38 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, also down a tenth from previous week. One season and done?

Friday Sitcoms

None.

Saturday Sitcoms

None.

Airing tonight (Sunday) are Fox's animated comedies from 7-10pm with new episodes starting at 7:30pm.

Summing it up. Airings of Modern Family, 2 Broke Girls, How I Met Your Mother, Two and a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory, Mike & Molly were impressive for the week. Everything else was OK (such as Suburgatory, The Office) or just plain old terrible (such as Are You There Chelsea, 30 Rock).

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Wednesday, October 30

Abbott Elementary - "Costume Contest" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT)
It’s Halloween at Abbott Elementary! Janine and Gregory proudly show off their couple’s costume, but it fails to translate. Meanwhile, Barbara faces pushback from parents concerned about hygiene and her beloved apple-bobbing tradition.

Wizards Beyond Waverly Place - "Saved by the Spell" (Disney Channel, 8:00PM ET/PT)
On her first day of school, Billie uses magic to impress Roman's best friend; when a jealous Roman steals Billie's wand, he falls into the grasp of a wizard-hunting phantomus.

Wizards Beyond Waverly Place - "Something Wizard This Way Comes" (Disney Channel, 8:30PM ET/PT)
On Halloween, Billie tells Roman about Pumpkin Belly, a ghoul who eats anyone whose house isn't spookily decorated; Justin, Milo and Giada defend the home from pranksters.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of October 28)

Wednesday, October 30

Sheryl Lee Ralph (Abbott Elementary/Fam/Instant Mom/Moesha/It's a Living) - Watch Sheryl on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Salma Hayek Pinault (The Sinbad Show) - Salma appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Kieran Culkin (Solar Opposites/Go Fish) - Kieran is a guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Tom Hanks (Bosom Buddies) - Tom stops by Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Emily Osment (Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage/Young Sheldon/Young & Hungry/Hannah Montana), Tien Tran (How I Met Your Father) and Vinny Thomas (Platonic) - Emily, Tien and Vinny are guests on After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
Ronny Chieng (Young Rock/Ronny Chieng: International Student) - Ronny hosts Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm.
Adam Pally (Mr. Throwback/Indebted/Making History/The Mindy Project/Happy Endings) - Adam appears on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 3:30am on Bravo.
Keri Russell (Running Wilde/Daddy's Girls) - Keri talks about The Diplomat on ABC's Good Morning America some time between 7-9am and on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
Matty Matheson (The Bear) - Matty talks about improvising scenes on the hit show The Bear and how he started his career in restaurants on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Anna Kendrick (Love Life) - Anna is chatting with Drew about directing her first film Woman of the Hour, the crazy serial killer case the movie is based on, finding boundaries in her life, turning 40 and more on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Mayan Lopez (Lopez vs Lopez) - Mayan discusses her sitcom Lopez vs Lopez on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
Blair Underwood (Fatherhood/The New Adventures of Old Christine) - Blair is a guest on PIX11 Morning News on WPIX in New York at 9:30am.
Marissa Jaret Winokur (What We Do in the Shadows/Retired at 35/Stacked) - Marissa appears on New York Living on WPIX in New York at 10:05am.
Melissa Peterman (Happy's Place/Young Sheldon/Baby Daddy/Working Class/Reba) - Melissa talks about NBC's Happy's Place on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.