SitcomsOnline.com News Blog

Households: #1. CBS 6.7 rating/10.8 share; #2. ABC 6.1/9.9; #3. Fox 5.8/9.2; #4. NBC 3.4/5.5; #5. The CW 0.9/1.4
Total Viewers: #1. CBS 10.66 million; #2. Fox 9.69 million; #3. ABC 9.3 million; #4. NBC 5.34 million; #5. The CW 1.33 million.
Adults 18-49: #1. Fox 3.0 rating/8.5 share; #2. CBS 2.5/7.1; #3. NBC 2.0/5.5; #4. ABC 1.9/5.4; #5. The CW 0.6/1.8

Week 28 (March 26-April 1) Analysis: Week 28 has Fox on top in 18-49 with nearly all original programming again, but CBS still has the edge in HH/viewers as they were all new except on Monday and almost all of Wednesday. NBC was all-new all week so far, too, except for The Office, but ABC had a mix of new and repeats--with almost all repeats on Wednesday and Thursday. Through the first four nights, Fox is in first place in 18-49, while CBS is first in HH/viewers. For second, ABC has the edge in households, but Fox has a bit more total viewers, while CBS is in second in adults 18-49. Fox is third in HH, while ABC is third in viewers, and NBC is third in 18-49. NBC is fourth in HH/viewers, while ABC is in fourth in 18-49 thanks to a lot of repeats, but they're only down a tenth so far. When the week is over by tonight, CBS will likely overtake Fox in 18-49 thanks to NCAA coverage Saturday night. ABC will also overtake NBC for third in 18-49 after a decent Friday performance and tonight's likely first place finish. More on the prediction of week 28 below. As for last week, week 27, CBS took home both HH/total viewers crown and the 18-49 crown. ABC was second in HH/viewers, while Fox was second in 18-49. ABC was third in 18-49, while Fox was third in HH/viewers. NBC was fourth across the board.

On Monday, it was NBC with the win again but the lead is not as big as more competition is coming back. First, on ABC, Dancing with the Stars started it off from 8-10pm doing a first place 17.96 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating, off down tenths from previous week's season premiere. At 10pm, Castle was all-new and did 11.87 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, for first place and on par with previous week. For CBS, How I Met Your Mother was a repeat doing 5.66 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, which is solid. Then a repeat of breakout hit 2 Broke Girls followed doing a better 6.16 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, not bad. At 9pm, a repeat of Two and a Half Men did 7.18 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, still the best of the CBS block. A repeat of Mike & Molly followed and did 6.25 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating. A repeat of Hawaii Five-0 was next doing a second place 6.59 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating. Fox preempted House for the two-episode finale of Alcatraz which did 4.78 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating at 8pm and 4.75 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating at 9pm, for a series low. Chances are it will not be back, I think. NBC was in first place and started it off with a two-hour The Voice and did a second place 12.0 million and a first place 4.5 18-49 rating, which was down a tenth from previous week. Then at 10pm week eight of critical darling Smash was next doing 6.14 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, which was down a tenth from the previous week for a series low. It has been renewed for a second season, though. The CW aired a movie: Confessions of a Shopaholic and did just 900,000 viewers and a 0.4 18-49 rating.

On Tuesday, it was CBS with the win with its dramas over second place ABC. NCIS at 8 started it off with a new episode doing 18.62 million and a 3.5 18-49 rating, which is up a tenth from previous week. Then a new NCIS: Los Angeles at 9pm did 14.75 million and a 3.0 18-49 rating, which was up two tenths from previous week. At 10pm, a new Unforgettable did 10.51 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, on par with previous week and squeezed out a first place finish. ABC preempted Last Man Standing and Cougar Town for Dancing with the Stars: The Story So Far and did 10.7 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, which is not bad at all for a recap special. At 9pm, the season premiere of the live Dancing with the Stars: The Results did 15.74 million and a 3.1 18-49 rating, for first place as we said goodbye to Martina Navratilova. Body of Proof was all-new at 10 as part one of its special two-part event did 9.72 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, its best overall performance since the season premiere. I think this show will be back, perhaps Fridays in the fall for 13 weeks. Fox will bring back Glee April 10, but for now a four-show comedy block! At 8pm, Raising Hope was all-new doing 3.81 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week. At 8:30pm a repeat followed doing just 3.11 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, but a tenth better than previous week's all-new episode of the horrid I Hate My Teenage Daughter, ouch. New Girl was new at 9 too and did 4.96 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, off a tenth from previous week for yet another series low. No support for this show right now with low-rated comedies leading and leading out. At 9:30pm Breaking In was new and did just 2.7 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, but actually up a tenth from previous week. Wish it did better but it is not doing good. NBC was next with The Biggest Loser from 8-10pm doing 5.65 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, which was down three tenths from previous week. At 10pm, NBC's new reality series Fashion Star did just 4.0 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, down three tenths from previous week. Will The Voice Results help this week? The CW was new with 90210 doing 1.27 million and a 0.7 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. Then at 9pm, Ringer was new and did 1.11 million and a 0.5 18-49 rating, also on par week-to-week.

Wednesday it was Fox with win with another two-hour Idol leading the way of course. First, CBS started the night off with a new Survivor: One World doing 9.99 million and a 2.9 18-49 rating, which was up a tenth from the previous week. Then at 9pm, a repeat of Criminal Minds did 7.3 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, which is below normal. And at 10pm a repeat of CSI did 7.96 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating. ABC was 75% in repeats for its Laugh On comedy block again with a repeat of The Middle doing 4.13 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating, off a tenth week-to-week. Suburgatory followed with a repeat at 8:30pm doing 3.7 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating, which built on its lead-in again but also down a tenth from previous week. The mega hit Modern Family was next at 9pm with a repeat though and it did 5.28 million and 1.9 18-49 rating, which was below normal ans also down a tenth from previous week. At 9:30pm, Happy Endings was ALL-NEW and did 4.13 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, up a tenth from the previous week. Season Finale is this Wednesday! Not to worry, the show has been renewed for a third season! At 10pm the addicting Revenge will return in April 11 with a special and then April 18 with the last six episodes of the season, but ABC aired an encore of Missing and did 4.04 million and a 0.9 18-49 rating, which was down four tenths from previous week. Fox aired American Idol from 8-10pm doing 17.87 million and a 5.3 18-49 rating, up two tenths from previous week but still good for #1 for the week again. Take that again The Voice, says Fox. NBC opened the night with the finale (hopefully series finale) of Whitney doing 4.09 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. The for-sure series finale of Are You There, Chelsea followed with only 3.08 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating, down two tenths from previous week. Not good. But it gets worse for NBC, at 9pm, NBC aired back-to-back episodes of new sitcom Bent and did only 2.56 million and a 0.9 18-49 rating at 9, with the 9:30pm doing even worse with 2.34 million and a 0.8 18-49 rating. One more week left for this fast three week burn-off. And at 10pm, Rock Center with Brian Williams was new in its temporary new time period and did 3.34 million and a 0.8 18-49 rating, but up a tenth from previous week. Still, yank this already, too. The CW had a new One Tree Hill at 8pm doing 1.34 million and a 0.7 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week. Then at 9pm, a new America's Next Top Model did 1.38 million and a 0.6 18-49 rating, on par with previous week and no longer the top gun of the network.

Thursday it was Fox again for the win, just nipping by CBS. Starting with ABC, they opened the night with week three of Missing doing 7.87 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week. Total viewers is good but the 18-49 needs to be better. At 9pm, a repeat of Grey's Anatomy aired doing 4.13 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating, on par week-to-week. At 10pm, Private Practice was a repeat, too doing 2.68 million and a 0.8 18-49 rating, also on par with previous week. It moves to Tuesdays at 10 for five airings starting April 17, as new series Scandal starts this Thursday! CBS aired new episodes, starting with The Big Bang Theory doing a great but below normal 13.96 million and a 4.7 18-49 rating. The return of Rules of Engagement came back below normal with 8.65 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating. Person of Interest was new at 9 and did 14.59 million and a 3.3 18-49 rating, not missing a beat. And The Mentalist was new at 10 and did 13.62 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating. Perhaps this show will be on the move next season. Fox aired American Idol at 8 doing 15.87 million and a 4.4 18-49 rating, up two tenths from previous week. Fox aired a new episode of Touch, doing 8.92 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating, which was down six tenths from previous week as some more competition returned. More competition returns this week, so will it go down more? NBC was almost all-new with a new Community up first doing 3.48 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, which was on par with previous week. I think it will return though. At 8:30pm, 30 Rock was new at 8:30pm and did 3.14 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, like its lead-in, on par with previous week. As I keep saying, time to end it after six seasons. A repeat of The Office was next and did just 2.59 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating. At 9:30pm Up All Night was new and did just 2.92 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, down two tenths from previous week. I don't think this will be back next season. At 10pm, week five of Awake did not do much with 3.18 million and a 1.0 18-49 rating, down two tenths week-to-week for another series low. Another series that won't be back, I think. The CW's big gun Vampire Diaries was new and did 2.44 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week and again below normal. Then at 9pm, drama The Secret Circle was new and did 1.33 million and a 0.6 18-49 rating, also down a tenth from previous week.

Now, final numbers for Friday and Saturday are not available, but CBS just edged ABC on Friday with its dramas. ABC was a repeat though for Shark Tank at 8pm as Undercover Boss won the 8pm hour. At 9pm What Would You Do? did solid for ABC, with NBC's Grimm doing a series low, and CSI: NY edged out a win over ABC. CBS' Blue Bloods was second at 10pm as ABC's 20/20 was #1 at 10 with MegaMillions fever. Fox's Fringe was up at 9pm from previous week but still low.
Saturday numbers have CBS winning the night for a third straight week with NCAA coverage doing the best it has done thus far of course with the Final Four. ABC did decent for Saturday, but NBC struggled big time with Escape Routes and The Firm. ABC was lead by limited series 20/20: My Extreme Affliction while Fox returned Cops doing OK.

Tonight ABC's line-up is all-new with AFV, Once Upon a Time, Desperate Housewives and GCB. Look for a first place finish once again, as Once Upon a Time will be #1 for the night. NBC has Dateline at 7 followed by a three-hour Celebrity Apprentice, from 8-11pm, with Harry's Law preempted. Maybe a third place finish this time. CBS has new airings of 60 Minutes then Amazing Race, The Good Wife and CSI: Miami are preempted for the 47th Annual ACM Awards. I think that is a second place finish. Fox has all-new episodes of Animation Domination starting at 7:30pm, except for The Simpsons. It'll battle with NBC for third.

As for the week (week 28), CBS will likely win the week in 18-49 thanks to the big NCAA Final Four on Saturday. CBS will easily win HH/viewers. Fox will be second in 18-49, while ABC will hang on to HH/viewers. ABC will go pass NBC in 18-49 for third, leaving NBC fourth across the board. As for the coming week (week 29), ABC premieres news drama Scandal on Thursday at 10pm. I think it will do well following new Grey's Anatomy. NBC premieres a second night of The Voice on Tuesdays at 9pm, while new comedy hour of Betty White's Off Their Rockers and Best Friends Forever premieres Wednesday at 8. Look for our review of BFF on Tuesday right here on the blog. And Fox returns Bones tomorrow on a new night and time.

Week 28 How the Sitcoms Did

Last Sunday Sitcoms (counts for Week 27 -- March 19-25)

• The Simpsons (Fox) 2 airings - A repeat at 8pm did 4.08 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, which is decent. A repeat at 7pm earlier in the night did 2.34 million and a 1.0 18-49 rating on par with previous week.
  
• The Cleveland Show (Fox) - A new episode at 7:30pm did just 3.12 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. Needs to be airing at 8:30.
  
• Bob's Burgers (Fox) - A new episode aired at 8:30pm and did 3.97 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, which is down a tenth from previous week when its lead-in was new. Still not good, but always good to see near 100% retention when its lead-in isn't new.
  
• Family Guy (Fox) - A repeat at 9 did 4.57 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, the best of the block and it was a repeat.
• American Dad! (Fox) - A new airing at 9:30pm did 4.28 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, down two tenths week-to-week.
  

Monday Sitcoms

• How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - A repeat did 5.66 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, which is decent for a repeat.
  
• 2 Broke Girls (CBS) - A repeat did 6.16 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, which is a bit below what it was doing for repeats earlier this season, but still not bad.
  
• Two and a Half Men (CBS) - 7.18 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating for a repeat is still number one for the CBS block still after all these years.
  
• Mike & Molly (CBS) - A repeat did 6.25 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, acceptable numbers for a repeat.
  

Tuesday Sitcoms

• Last Man Standing (ABC) - preempted, new episodes return April 10.
  
• Cougar Town (ABC) - preempted, returns April 10
  
• Raising Hope (Fox) 2 airings - A new episode at 8 did 3.81 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week. Not good. A repeat followed at 8:30pm with 3.11 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, which was a tenth better than a new Teenage Daughter the previous week.
  
• New Girl (Fox) - A new episode at 9pm did 4.96 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week for another series low. The Voice Results and Dancing Results both air in this slot starting this Tuesday. Will this show get lost (to DVR, at least)? Low 2's?
  
• Breaking In (Fox) - A new episode at 9:30 did just 2.7 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, but actually up a tenth from previous week's series low. Still not good. We got your back, but will Fox?
  

• The Middle (ABC) - A repeat did 4.13 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating, which is below normal for a repeat and down a tenth from previous week. It won't be new again until April 11, along with the rest of the Wednesday comedies besides Happy Endings.
  
• Suburgatory (ABC) - A repeat did 3.7 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating, building from its lead-in though but down a tenth too from previous week.
  
• Whitney (NBC) - The finale did just 4.09 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, which was on par with previous week. I'll be sickened if they bring this back, but I don't think they will.
  
• Are You There, Chelsea? (NBC) - The finale did only 3.08 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating, down two tenths from previous week. On to the next NBC bomb.
• Bent (NBC) 2 airings - This is just embarrassing. New episode at 9 did 2.56 million and a 0.9 18-49 rating, off a tenth from the first airing the previous week. The 9:30pm airing did a worse 2.34 million and a 0.8 18-49 rating, on par with previous week's 9:30pm airing.
  
• Modern Family (ABC) - A repeat did 5.28 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, which was down a tenth from previous week and below normal for this show.
  
• Happy Endings (ABC) - A new episode did 4.13 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, up a tenth from previous week. Season finale is this Wednesday, while the other Wednesday comedies are repeats. So make a note to watch because that is one reason it is down because everyone thinks its a repeat cause the three shows leading in are.
  

Thursday Sitcoms

• The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - A new episode did 13.96 million and a 4.7 18-49 rating, which is excellent but below normal.
  
• Rules of Engagement (CBS) - The return did 8.65 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating. Could have been better.
  
• Community (NBC) - A new episode did 3.48 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, on par with previous week even with Big Bang returning.
  
• 30 Rock (NBC) - A new episode did 3.14 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, also on par with previous week. As I keep saying, it's time for this show to go, as it has already aired for many seasons and the ratings are not good.
  
• The Office (NBC) - A repeat did 2.59 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating.
  
• Up All Night (NBC) - A new episode did just 2.92 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, down two tenths from previous week thanks to the repeat lead-in.
  

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