Week 32 TV Ratings and Analysis; How the Sitcoms Did

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Week 32 TV Ratings and Analysis; How the Sitcoms Did

2011-12 Week 32 TV Ratings (first four nights final ratings, Mon-Thu):

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

Week 32 (April 23-29) Analysis: Week 32 has some repeats but since Thursday everything is now new as we have entered May sweeps! We don't have the the first four night averages, but we can project ABC, CBS and Fox are very close to each other again in HH/viewers, with Fox on top, followed by ABC then CBS, as CBS was in repeats thru Wednesday. In the more important adults 18-49, it is more clear. Fox is by far first, followed by ABC. CBS and NBC are battling for third. NBC is a distant fourth in HH/viewers. When the week is over by tonight, it could be a bit different since 100% new programming was Thu-Sun. More on the prediction of week 32 below. As for last week, week 31, Fox took the 18-49 crown, while CBS took home HH/total viewers. ABC was second in 18-49 and also HH/viewers. CBS was third in 18-49, while Fox was third in HH/viewers. And that left NBC fourth across the board.

On Monday, it was NBC with the edge over ABC in adults 18-49. First, on ABC, Dancing with the Stars started it off from 8-10pm doing a first place 17.62 million and a 3.2 rating, up three tenths from previous week as it will now climb I think until the end of the season. At 10pm, Castle was preempted for a special edition of 20/20 on the behind scenes of Dancing with the Stars and did 10.68 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating. Not bad. For CBS, a repeat of How I Met Your Mother did 4.69 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, which seems below average for its repeat ratings. A repeat of 2 Broke Girls followed with 5.13 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, not as good as it could be. A repeat of Two and a Half Men followed at 9 with 6.67 million and a 2.0 rating, the best of the block but it also is below normal for a repeat. A repeat of Mike & Molly was next and did 6.0 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating. At 10, a repeat episode of Hawaii Five-0 did 7.7 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, on par with previous week but much more total viewers. Fox started off the night with Bones doing 7.38 million and a 2.2 rating, on par with the previous week. House was new at 9 with 6.49 million and a 2.3 rating, up three tenths from previous week. NBC started it off with a two-hour The Voice and did a second place 10.31 million and a 3.8 18-49 rating, which was up a tenth from previous week's 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 twelve of critical darling Smash was next doing 6.01 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, which was up a tenth from previous week's 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 990,000 viewers and 0.5 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week. A new Hart of Dixie followed with 1.28 million and a 0.5 rating, also down a tenth from previous week.

On Tuesday, it was close for first place with Fox edging NBC and ABC. First on CBS, NCIS at 8 started it off with a repeat doing 12.41 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating. Nice total viewers, but low 18-49 considering the total viewers. Then a repeat of NCIS: Los Angeles at 9pm did 9.66 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, down three tenths from previous week, when its lead-in was new. At 10pm, a repeat of Unforgettable did 7.79 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. ABC aired a repeat of Last Man Standing doing 5.69 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, as they re-aired the episode with Kim Kardashian. Final two episodes of the season starts this Tuesday! A new Cougar Town did 4.89 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, up a tenth week-to-week, which could be better but at least it went up when its lead-in was a repeat. At 9pm, the live Dancing with the Stars: The Results did 14.54 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week, as we said goodbye to the music legend Gladys Knight. Next at 10pm, was second week of Private Practice on its new night doing 8.13 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, up a nice half a point from previous week's return. That's more like it, and this show should be in this range for the rest of the season. Fox aired a new Glee doing 6.9 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating, up three tenths from previous week's low. New Girl was new at 9 too and did 5.2 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week despite its lead-in going up. At 9:30pm a repeat followed and did just 3.11 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating. NBC was next with The Biggest Loser cut to the 8pm hour only doing 6.87 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, which was down a tenth from previous week. At 9, NBC aired the live The Voice results show doing 8.93 million and a 3.4 18-49 rating, up a tenth from previous week. At 10pm, NBC's new reality series Fashion Star did just 4.59 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. This show is not cutting it after a big lead-in. The CW was all-new with 90210 doing 1.11 million and a 0.6 18-49 rating. Then at 9pm, the series premiere of LA Complex did just 630,000 viewers and a 0.3 18-49 rating, for the lowest drama premiere in the history of broadcast TV. Ouch.

Wednesday it was all Fox with the win as the other networks were mostly repeats. First, CBS started the night off with a new Survivor: One World doing 9.81 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating, which was down a tenth from previous week, tying a series low. Then at 9pm, a repeat of Criminal Minds did 7.61 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating, up a tenth week-to-week. And at 10pm a repeat of CSI did 6.59 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. ABC was almost all repeats for its Laugh On comedy block, as a repeat of The Middle started it off doing 4.89 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. Suburgatory followed with a repeat at 8:30pm doing 4.39 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, building from its lead-in. The mega hit Modern Family was next at 9pm with a repeat and it did 5.83 million and 2.2 18-49 rating, which was the best sitcom repeat of the week. At 9:30pm, week three of the hilarious Don't Trust the B---- In Apartment 23 was all-new and did 4.91 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, down six tenths from previous week when its lead-in was new. Not telling, as it followed repeats. Expect it to be back up big this week to close to a 2.6 or more. At 10pm the addicting Revenge was new and did 7.03 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, down two tenths from previous week. Not bad as the rest of the night was basically repeats. Fox aired American Idol from 8-10pm doing 16.87 million and a 4.8 18-49 rating, on par with 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 5.83 million but just a 1.7 18-49 rating, up a tenth from previous week. Episode four of new comedy Best Friends Forever followed with only 2.65 million and a 0.8 18-49 rating, on par with previous week's low. Not good, and NBC has pulled it now. At 9pm, a new Rock Center with Brian Williams at 9pm did 3.7 million and a 0.9 18-49, but actually up three tenths from previous week. And at 10pm, a new Law & Order: SVU got hurt as a result and did 6.56 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, up a tenth from previous week's series low. The CW had a repeat of LA Complex start it off at 8pm doing 690,000 viewers and a 0.3 18-49 rating, which is not good. A new America's Next Top Model followed at 9 and did 1.115 million and a 0.5 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week thanks to the lead-in.

Thursday it was the first night of May sweeps, and Fox edged out CBS for the win. Starting with ABC, they opened the night with week seven of Missing doing 6.98 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, on par with previous week again. 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 or a summer option, if it were to come back? At 9pm, a new Grey's Anatomy aired doing 9.45 million and a 3.3 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. Awesome episode again, too! At 10pm, Private Practice is now Tuesdays at 10, as now Scandal airs in this slot and week four did 6.86 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, on par once again from previous week. Four weeks in and the same ratings. That's a good thing for a possible renewal. CBS started with a new episode of The Big Bang Theory doing a great 12.65 million and a 4.1 18-49 rating, but a season low. I think repeats the last few weeks hurt it and a bit because of the NFL Draft, but that's not a big excuse. A new Rules of Engagement did 8.17 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, up three five tenths from previous week when its lead-in was a repeat. Could be better still. A new episode of Person of Interest aired next at 9 and did 12.73 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, down big from its last new airing. Many repeats the past few weeks and NFL draft the culprit? The Mentalist was next at 10 and new too and did 12.03 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, lower than normal. Rumors are flying that it will be on the move next season. We shall see. Fox aired American Idol at 8 doing 14.87 million and a 4.0 18-49 rating, on par with previous 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 6.43 million and a 1.9 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 3.21 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, which was up a tenth from previous week's 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 (and a live episode) at 8:30pm and did 3.47 million and a 1.6 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 4.17 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week and a series low. 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 was new and did just 3.17 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, down a tenth week-to-week. At 10pm, week nine of Awake is not awake in the ratings as it did 2.21 million and a 0.8 18-49 rating, down a tenth week-to-week for a series low. Another series that won't be back, I think. The CW's big gun Vampire Diaries was new and did 2.22 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating, up a tenth from previous week for still seems low for this show. The CW can't catch a break. Then at 9pm, drama The Secret Circle was new too and did 1.15 million and a 0.5 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. So besides a tenth or two, everything was fine tonight but CBS. And I think CBS was down because it has been in repeat mode for the past few weeks while ABC, Fox and NBC have been all-new. Don't blame the NFL Draft for all of this because every other network was on par, or down just a tenth or two.

Now, final numbers for Friday and Saturday are not available, but CBS and ABC lead the pack. Shark Tank at 8pm was new and solid, but Undercover Boss returned and edged it for first place. At 9pm NBC's Grimm tied for the win at 9pm with CSI: NY on CBS. CBS' Blue Bloods was down a lot and tied 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 aired the network premiere of The Blind Side and did solid while Fox had NASCAR, which both beat NBC's all-new Escape Routes and The Firm. CBS and NBC could not compete.

Tonight ABC's line-up is AFV, Once Upon a Time, Desperate Housewives & GCB. Look for solid numbers for the entire night and a #1 position Once Upon a Time will win the night and the countdown is on for the final episodes of Desperate. NBC has Dateline at 7, with Celebrity Apprentice from 9-11pm, and Harry's Law leading in. Maybe a third place finish. CBS has new airings of 60 Minutes then Amazing Race, The Good Wife and week three of low rated NYC 22. A second or third place finish I think, but could be tied with NBC. Fox has Animation Domination which could have them in second place, but I also could see them in third.

As for the week (week 32), Fox will likely win the week in 18-49 easily. And CBS should win HH/viewers. ABC will be second in 18-49 and HH/viewers. CBS will beat NBC in 18-49 for third, with Fox should be third in HH/viewers. NBC will be fourth for sure in HH/viewers. As for the coming week, week 33, it's the first full week of May sweep. New episodes all around, so make sure you tune into your favorite series as we get near the finales!

Week 32 How the Sitcoms Did

Last Sunday Sitcoms (counts for Week 31 -- April 16-22)

The Simpsons (Fox) - A special repeat of its very first episode at 7:30pm in honor of Fox's 25th Anniversary did 3.17 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, up four tenths from previous week's 7pm repeat. Not bad. At 7pm, Fox also aired the pilot episode of Married...with Children from 1987 and did 2.93 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating. Not bad for a repeat from 25 years ago!
The Cleveland Show (Fox) - preempted.
Bob's Burgers (Fox) - preempted.
Family Guy (Fox) - preempted.
American Dad! (Fox) - preempted.

Monday Sitcoms

How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - A repeat delivered 4.69 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating. This show could do better. Spring is a reason.
2 Broke Girls (CBS) - A repeat did 5.13 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating. Yes, it is a repeat and yes it is spring, but if CBS uses this as an anchor next season, will it deliver?
Two and a Half Men (CBS) - A repeat of this sitcom did 6.67 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating. Question is, will CBS keep this show in this slot next season?
Mike & Molly (CBS) - 6.0 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating for a repeat. About the same as the other shows.

Tuesday Sitcoms

Last Man Standing (ABC) - A repeat did 5.69 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating. Not bad. New episodes for the next two weeks as it wraps up its first season. It'll be back next season, I can assure you.
Cougar Town (ABC) - A new episode unfortunately didn't do that well with 4.89 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, but up a tenth from previous week, when its lead-in was new. So a good sign!
New Girl (Fox) - A new episode at 9pm did 5.2 million and a 2.6 rating, down a tenth from previous week again. It's not a mass appeal show, but 18-49 is decent enough. A repeat at 9:30pm followed and didn't do well with 3.1 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating.

Wednesday Sitcoms

The Middle (ABC) - A repeat did 4.89 million and a 1.3 18-rating, on par with previous week's repeat. It returns with new episodes this Wednesday as Whoopi Goldberg guest stars! Whoopster!
Suburgatory (ABC) - A repeat did 4.39 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, as it continues to build from its lead-in.
Best Friends Forever (NBC) - The fourth episode did just 2.65 million and a very low 0.8 18-49 rating, tying its low from previous week. It is now pulled and gone.
Modern Family (ABC) - A repeat of this mega hit did 5.83 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, the best repeat 18-49 rating of the week. Power of comedy...look for it do well in syndication in fall 2013.
Don't Trust the B---- In Apartment 23 (ABC) - The third episode did 4.91 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, down six tenths from previous week when its lead-in was new. This week's episode is one we saw for review ("The Wedding") and it is outstanding! Tune in for some laughs, dancing, a wedding and Kevin Sorbo!

Thursday Sitcoms

The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - A new episode at 8 did 12.65 million and a 4.1 18-49 rating, which is excellent but a season low. Repeats the past few weeks could be a reason why it was down.
Rules of Engagement (CBS) - A new episode did 8.17 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, which is up three tenths from previous week when its lead-in was a repeat.
Community (NBC) - A new episode did 3.21 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, up a tenth from previous week's series low.
30 Rock (NBC) - A new episode did 3.47 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, up a tenth from previous week actually. It aired a live episode, so it should have been up more. But at least it was up!
The Office (NBC) - A new episode did only 4.17 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, down a tenth for a series low. Eeck, calling back Steve Carell?
Parks and Recreation (NBC) - The a new episode did 3.17 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, down a tenth week-to-week.

Friday Sitcoms

None.

Saturday Sitcoms

None

Airing tonight (Sunday) are Fox Animation Domination comedies from 7-10pm, with new episodes starting at 7:30pm.

Summing it up. Airings of The Big Bang Theory, New Girl, Modern Family, Two and a Half Men, were impressive for the week. Everything else was OK (such as How I Met Your Mother, 2 Broke Girls) or just plain old terrible (such as Best Friends Forever, Cougar Town).

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Thursday, May 15

Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - "Guilt Boots" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Georgie panics when he learns that Jim is considering selling the tire store to his rival, and Mandy’s forced to confront a long-running lie, on part one of the first season finale.

Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - "Big Decisions" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Tensions rise when Georgie finds out the truth about Mandy’s boss, and Georgie does all he can to buy the tire store before Jim sells it, on part two of the first season finale.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of May 12)

Thursday, May 15

Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Veep/The New Adventures of Old Christine/Watching Ellie/Seinfeld/Day by Day) - Catch Julia on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Mo Amer (Mo/Ramy) - Mo is a guest on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Glenn Howerton (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia/A.P. Bio/The Mindy Project/That '80s Show) - Glenn appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Keyla Monterroso Mejia (Abbott Elementary/Curb Your Enthusiasm) and Brandon Kyle Goodman (Human Resources) - Keyla and Brandon are guests on After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
Stanley Tucci (Central Park) - E! News has an interview with Stanley at 11pm on E!.
Method Man (Method & Red) - Method Man is a guest on Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm.
Anthony Anderson (black-ish/Guys with Kids/All About the Andersons) and Cedric the Entertainer (The Neighborhood/The Last O.G./The Soul Man/The Steve Harvey Show) - CBS Mornings has CBS Deals with Anthony and Cedric sometime between 7-9am.
Mario Lopez (Saved by the Bell/Saved by the Bell: The College Years) - Mario and Kit Hoover talk about Access Daily on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am and in the 9am hour.
Nick Jonas (Jonas) - Nick chats about his Broadway show The Last Five Years on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
Bernadette Peters (High Desert/Mozart in the Jungle/All's Fair) - Bernadette talks about Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
Brooke Shields (Suddenly Susan) - Brooke, author of Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed to Get Old: Thoughts on Aging as a Woman, is revealing to Drew her cover photo on AARP magazine in celebration of her 50th birthday on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Valerie Bertinelli (Hot in Cleveland/One Day at a Time) - Valerie and Drew are sharing some gadgets to help with menopause symptoms on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Terry Crews (Everybody Still Hates Chris/Brooklyn Nine-Nine/Are We There Yet?/Everybody Hates Chris) - Terry talks about NBC's America's Got Talent on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
Dulé Hill (The Wonder Years) - Dulé Hill is a guest on PIX11 Morning News on WPIX in New York at 9:40am.