Week 31 TV Ratings and Analysis; How the Sitcoms Did

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Week 31 TV Ratings and Analysis; How the Sitcoms Did

2011-12 Week 31 TV Ratings (first four nights final ratings, Mon-Thu):

Households:N/A
Total Viewers: N/A.
Adults 18-49: N/A

Week 31 (April 16-22) Analysis: Week 31 had mostly all new programming minus a few shows, as we near May sweep starting April 26. We don't have the the first four night averages, but we can project ABC, CBS and Fox are very close to each other in HH/viewers, which Fox on top, followed by ABC then CBS, as CBS was in repeats on Thursday. In the more important adults 18-49, it is more clear. Fox is by far first, followed by ABC. CBS is third in adults 18-49, just ahead of NBC. NBC is a distant fourth in HH/viewers. When the week is over by tonight, it could be as it is right now, I think. More on the prediction of week 30 below. As for last week, week 30, Fox took the 18-49 crown, while CBS took home HH/total viewers. ABC edged Fox for second in HH but Fox did have the slight edge in total viewers over ABC. CBS was second in 18-49. ABC was third in 18-49, while NBC was fourth across the board.

On Monday, it was NBC with the edge over CBS and ABC. First, on ABC, Dancing with the Stars started it off from 8-10pm doing a first place 16.65 million and a 2.9 rating, down a tenth from previous week. At 10pm, Castle was all-new and did 11.23 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating. For CBS, a new episode of How I Met Your Mother did 7.24 million and a 3.1 rating, down four tenths from previous week and a clear season low. A new episode of 2 Broke Girls followed with 8.52 million and a 3.4 18-49 rating, still good but down a tenth week-to-week and another series low. Spring has certainly begun. A new Two and a Half Men followed at 9 with 11.22 million and a 3.8 rating, up two tenths from previous week's series low. A new Mike & Molly was also new and did 9.54 million and a 3.1 18-49 rating, off a tenth from previous week. At 10, a repeat episode of Hawaii Five-0 did 6.12 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating. Fox started off the night with Bones doing 7.15 million and a 2.2 rating, on par with the previous week. House was new at 9 with 5.61 million and a 2.0 rating, up a tenth from previous week's series low. NBC started it off with a two-hour The Voice and did a second place 10.03 million and a 3.7 18-49 rating, which was down three tenths from previous week for a season low. It has certainly fallen a lot since February. Still good, but NBC should have placed it on another night for mass ratings instead of going against another reality juggernaut. Then at 10pm week eleven of critical darling Smash was next doing 5.95 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, which was down a tenth from previous week and another series low. It's coming back for a second season anyway, but the show is pricy, so it needs to do better. The CW aired an all-new Gossip Girl and did just 1.06 and 0.6 18-49 rating, up a tenth from previous week's pathetic ratings. A new Hart of Dixie followed with 1.37 million and a 0.6 rating, up a tenth from previous week.

On Tuesday, it was close for first place with all four networks close to each other again with NBC actually with the edge. First on CBS, NCIS at 8 started it off with a new episode doing 18.08 million and a 3.1 18-49 rating, on par with previous week's season low. Skews old and spring blues for even the top shows. Then a repeat of NCIS: Los Angeles at 9pm did 11.17 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, strange it was a repeat since its lead-in was new but I guess with a two-episode season finale next month, that's the reason why. At 10pm, a repeat of Unforgettable did 8.19 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating. ABC aired a new Last Man Standing doing 6.51 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, down two tenths from previous week and a series low. A repeat airs this week with Kim Kardashian. A new Cougar Town did 4.45 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, down a tenth week-to-week, which could be better and hoping it would do better. At 9pm, the live Dancing with the Stars: The Results did 14.17 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, up two tenths from previous week's low for a Results low, as we said goodbye to Gavin DeGraw. Next at 10pm, was the return of Private Practice on a new night doing 6.53 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, lower than previous week's Body of Proof season finale but at least it skewed younger. I think both shows will be back. Fox aired a new Glee doing 6.23 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, down three tenths from previous week for a new low. How the mighty have fallen this season. New Girl was new at 9 too and did 5.22 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week. At 9:30pm Raising Hope had its season finale and did just 3.79 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. NBC was next with The Biggest Loser cut to the 8pm hour only doing 6.96 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, which was up two tenths from previous week. At 9, NBC aired the live The Voice results show doing 8.86 million and a 3.3 18-49 rating, down two tenths from previous week. At 10pm, NBC's new reality series Fashion Star did just 4.46 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, down three tenths from previous week. This show is not cutting it after a big lead-in. The CW was a repeat with 90210 doing 680,000 viewers and a 0.3 18-49 rating, on par week-to-week. Then at 9pm, Ringer was new and did 1.2 million and a 0.5 18-49 rating, up a tenth week-to-week. I still don't think it will return.

Wednesday it was Fox with the win another two-hour Idol leading the way of course doubling second place ABC. First, CBS started the night off with a new Survivor: One World doing 9.69 million and a 2.8 18-49 rating, which was up a tenth from previous week's series low. Then at 9pm, a repeat of Criminal Minds did 7.4 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating. And at 10pm a repeat of CSI did 6.73 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating. ABC was almost all-new for its Laugh On comedy block, as a repeat of The Middle started it off doing 4.6 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating. Suburgatory followed with a new episode at 8:30pm doing 5.69 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, only down a tenth from previous week even when its lead-in was a repeat. Not bad. The mega hit Modern Family was next at 9pm with a new episode and it did 10.21 million and 4.1 18-49 rating, which was down a tenth from previous week for a season low but still impressive. At 9:30pm, week two of the hilarious Don't Trust the B---- In Apartment 23 did a solid 6.43 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, down just three tenths from previous week. Good sign. At 10pm the addicting Revenge returned to 7.7 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, on par with its last new airing about six weeks ago. Not bad. Fox aired American Idol from 8-10pm doing 16.89 million and a 4.8 18-49 rating, down two tenths from previous week and still good for #1 for the week again. Take that again The Voice, says Fox. NBC opened the night with a new Betty White's Off Their Rockers doing 5.98 million but just a 1.6 18-49 rating, on par with previous week despite ABC a repeat in this slot. Episode three of new comedy Best Friends Forever followed with only 2.83 million and a 0.8 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week for another low. Not good, and perhaps NBC will drop it soon? But it gets worse for NBC, at 9pm, a new Rock Center with Brian Williams at 9pm did only 2.55 million and a 0.6 18-49, but actually up a tenth from previous week's low. And at 10pm, a new Law & Order: SVU got hurt as a result and did 5.95 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week for another series low. The CW had a repeat of America's Next Top Model start it off at 8pm doing 930,000 viewers and a 0.4 18-49 rating. A new America's Next Top Model followed at 9 and did 1.31 million and a 0.6 18-49 rating, tying NBC again in the hour and up a tenth from previous week.

Thursday it was Fox again for the win, with CBS in mostly repeat mode. Starting with ABC, they opened the night with week six of Missing doing 7.23 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. Total viewers is still good (and up from previous week) but the 18-49 needs to be better. Perhaps a good Friday destination in the fall, if it were to come back? At 9pm, a new Grey's Anatomy aired doing 9.82 million and a 3.3 18-49 rating, up four tenths from previous week. Awesome episode, too! At 10pm, Private Practice is now moving to Tuesdays starting Tuesday, as now Scandal airs in this slot and week three did 7.21 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, on par once again from previous week. Three weeks in and the same ratings. That's a good thing for a possibly renewal. CBS started with a repeat of The Big Bang Theory doing a great 9.29 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, but down three tenths from previous week. A new Rules of Engagement did 7.57 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, down a concerning five tenths from previous week. It was impressive previous week but this airing was down. I guess since it was not sandwiched between comedies this time. A repeat of Person of Interest aired next at 9 and did 8.81 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, down three tenths from previous week when its repeat was at 10. The Mentalist was next at 10 and a repeat did 8.24 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating. Rumors are flying that it will be on the move next season. We shall see. Fox aired American Idol at 8 doing 14.99 million and a 4.0 18-49 rating, down three tenths from previous week. Still good enough for #1 for the night despite massive year to year drops. Fox aired a new episode of Touch at 9 doing 7.32 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, which was down two tenths from previous week. It has fallen a lot, so that's not a good sign. NBC was all-new with a new Community up first doing 2.77 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, which was down a tenth from previous week and ties its series low. I still think it will return though for one last season, but it still sucks in the ratings. At 8:30pm, 30 Rock was new at 8:30pm and did 3.06 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, up a tenth from previous week. As I keep saying, time to end it after six seasons especially if they decide to bring back low rated shows like Community and Parks. A new The Office was next and did just 4.35 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, on par with previous week and ties its series low. I called low 2's, didn't I? NBC needs a comedy anchor badly now. Matthew Perry to the rescue next fall, as his pilot was picked-up to a series order already. At 9:30pm Parks & Recreation returned and did just 3.46 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating. At 10pm, week eight of Awake is not awake in the ratings as it did 2.8 million and a 0.9 18-49 rating, on par week-to-week's series low. Another series that won't be back, I think. The CW's big gun Vampire Diaries was new and did 2.21 million and a 1.0 18-49 rating. That seems low for this show. The CW can't catch a break. Then at 9pm, drama The Secret Circle was new too and did 1.14 million and a 0.5 18-49 rating, not good.

Now, final numbers for Friday and Saturday are not available, but ABC and NBC tied on Friday in a half repeat night. ABC was #1 for a REPEAT of Shark Tank at 8pm as Undercover Boss was preempted for comedy repeats, which did not do well. At 9pm What Would You Do? did #1 for ABC tying NBC's Grimm for the hour, as CSI: NY was a repeat. CBS' Blue Bloods was also a repeat, so NBC's Dateline sneaked pass ABC's 20/20 for #1 at 10. Fox's Fringe was low at 9pm but up a bit.
Saturday numbers have Fox and ABC tying for the night. ABC was lead by a Special Edition of 20/20 while Fox had a two-hour AMW special, which both beat NBC's all-new Escape Routes and The Firm.

Tonight ABC's line-up is AFV, Once Upon a Time, Titanic, and Hallmark Hall of Fame movie. AFV is a repeat but Once Upon a Time is back and all-new and will win the night. ABC won't have enough for a first place win though since 9-11pm is preempted for a movie. NBC has Dateline at 7, with Celebrity Apprentice from 9-11pm, and Harry's Law leading in. Maybe a second or third place finish. CBS has new airings of 60 Minutes then Amazing Race, The Good Wife and week two of low rated NYC 22. A fourth place finish I think. Fox preempts Animation Domination but they have the Fox 25th Anniversary Celebration that should be enough for a win tonight.

As for the week (week 31), Fox will likely win the week in 18-49 easily. And they could win HH/viewers, too, especially if tonight is big. ABC will be second in 18-49, while ABC and CBS will battle for second in HH/viewers. CBS likely will beat NBC in 18-49 for third. NBC will be fourth for sure in HH/viewers. As for the coming week, week 32, can you believe May sweeps starts Thursday? The season is now four weeks away from being over--yikes! Fastest season I have ever seen!

Week 31 How the Sitcoms Did

Last Sunday Sitcoms (counts for Week 30 -- April 9-15)

The Simpsons (Fox) 2 airings - A new airing at 8pm did 4.96 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating. A repeat at 7pm earlier in the night did 2.39 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating, up three tenths from previous week.
The Cleveland Show (Fox) - A new episode at a special time of 9:30pm did 4.34 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, which is OK and could be better. A repeat in its normal time of 7:30pm did 2.72 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating, but that was up three tenths from previous week's repeat.
Bob's Burgers (Fox) - A new episode at 8:30pm did 3.9 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, clearly the weak link in the block.
Family Guy (Fox) - A repeat at 9 did 4.55 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, up four tenths from previous week's repeat.
American Dad! (Fox) - preempted.

Monday Sitcoms

How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - 7.24 million and a 3.1 18-49 rating is a season low and down four tenths from previous week's season low. Concerning, but it is spring. I wish the season was Sept-March and then an episode or two in May sweep, like it used to be years ago.
2 Broke Girls (CBS) - A new showing did 8.52 million and a 3.4 18-49 rating, for another series low. Blame spring.
Two and a Half Men (CBS) - A new episode of this sitcom did 11.22 million and a 3.8 18-49 rating, the best of the block and bouncing back a bit from previous week's lows.
Mike & Molly (CBS) - 9.54 million and a 3.1 18-49 rating is pretty good but down a tenth from previous week.

Tuesday Sitcoms

Last Man Standing (ABC) - A new episode did 6.51 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, a series low and the spring blues continues on the networks.
Cougar Town (ABC) - A new episode unfortunately didn't do that well with 4.45 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week. This really needs to be airing on Wednesdays.
New Girl (Fox) - A new episode at 9pm did 5.22 million and a 2.7 rating, down a tenth from previous week. It's not a mass appeal show, but 18-49 is decent enough.
Raising Hope (Fox) - The season finale at 9:30 did just 3.79 million and a 1.8 rating, on par with the previous week. It's coming back next season anyway.

Wednesday Sitcoms

The Middle (ABC) - A repeat did 4.6 million and a 1.3 18-rating. It returns with new episodes starting May 2.
Suburgatory (ABC) - A new showing did 5.69 million and a 2.0 rating, off only a tenth from the previous week, as its lead-in was not new this time. Good sign.
Best Friends Forever (NBC) - The third episode did just 2.83 million and a very low 0.8 18-49 rating for another low. When will it be pulled?
Modern Family (ABC) - A new episode of this mega hit did 10.21 million and a 4.1 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week though and a season low. But still the tops for scripted TV again.
Don't Trust the B---- In Apartment 23 (ABC) - The second episode did 6.43 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, down just three tenths from previous week. Solid! I think it will be back next season. Make sure you keep watching, episode three is this week and the following week is the one we saw for review ("The Wedding") and it is outstanding!

Thursday Sitcoms

The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - A repeat at 8 did 9.20 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, which is excellent for a repeat but down three tenths from previous week.
Rules of Engagement (CBS) - A new episode did 7.57 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, which is down a half a point from previous week. It did much better previous week.
Community (NBC) - A new episode did only 2.77 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week as it tied its series low.
30 Rock (NBC) - A new episode did 3.06 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, up a tenth from previous week actually.
The Office (NBC) - A new episode did only 4.35 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, tying its series low from previous week. Eeck, calling back Steve Carell?
Parks and Recreation (NBC) - The finale did just 3.46 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, on par with what it was doing at 8:30 a few weeks back. Better than Up All Night at least.

Friday Sitcoms

Mike & Molly (CBS) - A repeat on a Friday didn't do well with a prelim 4.25 million and a prelim 0.9 18-49 rating.
Rules of Engagement (CBS) - A repeat of this at 8:30pm on a Friday did only a prelim 3.55 million and a prelim 0.8 18-49 rating.

Saturday Sitcoms

None

Airing tonight (Sunday) are just repeats on Fox of the Married...with Children pilot from 1987 and a repeat of The Simpsons from 1987, as Fox celebrates its 25th anniversary tonight from 8-10pm, preempting the animated comedies.

Summing it up. Airings of Modern Family, Two and a Half Men, 2 Broke Girls, How I Met Your Mother, Mike & Molly, The Big Bang Theory, Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23, New Girl were impressive for the week. Everything else was OK (such as Last Man Standing, Rules of Engagement) or just plain old terrible (such as Best Friends Forever, Community).

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Monday, May 4

The Neighorhood - "Welcome to Kalamazoo?" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
When Dave and Gemma seriously consider a major life change, it sends ripples through the family and strains relationships. Meanwhile, wedding chaos and unexpected revelations complicate plans for Malcolm and Marty, forcing everyone to confront what’s really ahead.

DMV - "Car-lette" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
When Colette tries to fix up her run-down car to get it re-registered, Gregg encourages her to buy a new one to save money. Meanwhile, Barb tries to teach everyone DMV robbery protocols.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of May 4)

Monday, May 4

Nicole Byer (Grand Crew/Loosely Exactly Nicole) - Watch Nicole on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Lisa Kudrow (The Comeback/No Good Deed/HouseBroken/Web Therapy/Friends/Mad About You) - Lisa appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Nathan Lane (Mid-Century Modern/Only Murders in the Building/Modern Family/Charlie Lawrence/Encore! Encore!/One of the Boys) - Nathan is a guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Billy Eichner (Friends from College/Difficult People/Parks and Recreation) - Andy Cohen interviews Billy on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 9pm on Bravo.
Jamie Lynn Sigler (Guys with Kids) - Jamie Lynn talks about And So It Is...: A Memoir of Acceptance and Hope on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
Ryan Reynolds (Two Guys and a Girl) and Rob McElhenney (Mythic Quest/It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia) - Ryan and Rob talk about Welcome to Wrexham on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
Damon Wayans (Poppa's House/My Wife and Kids/Damon) - Damon discusses diabetic macular edema with GMA lifestyle contributor Lori Bergamotto on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
Jay Pharoah (White Famous/Champaign ILL) - Jay chats about The Quiz with Balls on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
Goldie Hawn (Good Morning World) - Goldie talks about The After-School Kindness Crew: Pooch on the Loose #1 on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am and in the 10am hour and chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Sean Hayes (Will & Grace/The Millers/Sean Saves the World) - The Drew Barrymore Show has a little bit extra with Sean, so check your local listings.
Valerie Bertinelli (Hot in Cleveland/Cafe Americain/Sydney/One Day at a Time) - The Drew Barrymore Show has more from Valerie and and Drew in the kitchen on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Oliver Hudson (Splitting Up Together/Rules of Engagement/My Guide to Becoming a Rock Star) - The Drew Barrymore Show has a little bit extra with Oliver, so check your local listings.
Stanley Tucci (Central Park) - Stanley is a guest on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.