Sunday, May 27, 2012

Final Week of 2011-12 TV Ratings and Analysis; How the Sitcoms Did

2011-12 Week 36 TV Ratings (final three nights of the season average, Mon-Wed): 

Households: #1. Fox 7.9 rating/12.6 share; #2. ABC 7.2/11.6; #3. CBS 4.5/7.2; #4. NBC 3.9/6.3; #5. The CW 0.4/0.7
Total Viewers: #1. Fox 13.51 million; #2. ABC 10.94 million; #3. CBS 6.75 million; #4. NBC 6.43 million; #5. The CW 0.64 million.
Adults 18-49: #1. Fox. 4.2 rating/12.0 share; #2. ABC 2.6/7.3; #3. NBC 2.1/5.9; #4. CBS 1.5/4.3; #5 . The CW 0.3/0.8

Week 36 (May 21-27) Analysis: Week 36 is the final week of the season but it is only the first three days of the week, so really there is only 35 1/2 weeks during a TV season. For the final three nights of the season, Fox had the commanding lead thanks to American Idol. ABC was in second place across the board lead by its finales of Dancing and Modern Family. CBS was mainly in repeats , with only one hour of new programming only, so it had to settle for a distant third in HH/viewers but fourth in adults 18-49. NBC was fourth in HH/viewers, even losing to repeats on CBS, but they did beat them in adults 18-49. As for last week, week 35, Fox beat CBS by a tenth for the 18-49 crown again, while CBS again took home HH/total viewers. ABC was second in HH/viewers, but third in 18-49 (only a tenth behind CBS for second), while Fox was third in HH/viewers. And that left NBC fourth across the board again. NBC did finish the 2011-12 season in third place in 18-49 thanks to the Super Bowl. Without it, they would be down two tenths and back in fourth. Thanks to that bonus they were in third, but in all likelihood, barring a huge hit, they will be back in fourth next season. Fox won the season in adults 18-49, followed by CBS, NBC and ABC.

On Monday, it was NBC edging ABC by a tenth and Fox by two tenths. First, on ABC, Dancing with the Stars: The Finals started it off from 8-9pm doing a first place 16.84 million and a 2.9 18-49 rating, up three tenths from previous week when it aired 8-9:30pm. From 9-11pm, The Bachelorette did a solid 7.53 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, off just two tenths from previous week's 90-minute premiere. For CBS, How I Met Your Mother was a repeat for some reason (the second year in a row CBS has done repeats the last week of the season) and did 4.06 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating. A repeat of 2 Broke Girls followed doing 4.62 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, building from its lead-in. A repeat of Two and a Half Men followed at 9 with 7.23 million and a 2.0 rating, the best of the block as usual even though it seems below normal for a repeat. A repeat of Mike & Molly was next and did 6.29 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, which is serviceable. At 10, Hawaii Five-0 was preempted for a new Clash of the Commercials special doing 5.96 million and only a 1.3 18-49 rating, which is down from last season's special. Fox started off the night with a House retrospective special doing 6.27 million and a 2.1 rating, up two tenths from the season finale of Bones the previous week. Then at 9, it was the series finale of House doing 8.72 million and a 2.9 rating, up seven tenths from previous week. Not bad, but no where near what the series has done in the past. NBC started it off with America's Got Talent at 8 and did 9.66 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating, which was down four tenths from previous week's two-hour premiere. Then from 9-11pm, NBC premiered the summer series America Ninja Warrior doing a solid 6.2 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating. It did better than the way more expensive Smash finale. The CW aired a repeat of One Tree Hill and did just 0.57 million and a 0.3 18-49 rating. Another repeat airing followed with 0.53 million and a 0.2 rating. Probably one of the last network airings of this series ever, if not the last one.

On Tuesday, it was Fox with the win. NCIS: LA at 8 started it off at a special time with a repeat doing 7.51 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating. Then two hour of repeats of NCIS at a special time did 9.17 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating at 9 and 9.34 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating at 10. ABC aired an encore of the previous night's Dancing with the Stars: The Finals at 8 and did 8.83 million and a 1.3 18-49, which beat the one-hour of Cougar Town the previous week. From 9-11pm, the live Dancing with the Stars: The Finale did 17.75 million and a 3.3 18-49 rating, up eleven tenths from previous week, as we crowned Donald Driver the season 14 champion. The lowest rated finale for this show, but still solid enough. Fox aired part one of the American Idol finale and it did 14.85 million and a 4.4 18-49 rating, great numbers but no where near what it was doing in the past. It's almost back to earth. At 9, the season finale of Glee did 7.46 million and a 2.9 18-49 rating, up four tenths from previous week. This show is no longer a big hit already. NBC was next with the an encore of America's Got Talent at 8 doing 5.24 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating in an hour of many repeats except for Idol. An all-new episode followed at 9 and did 9.44 million and a 3.3 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week's two-hour Tuesday premiere. At 10, a 20th Anniversary of Dateline special did 4.98 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, on par with previous week's Fashion Star finale. Yet NBC is bringing that reality series back? The CW had a repeat of of Hart of Dixie doing only 730,000 viewers and a 0.2 18-49 rating, in its new time period next fall. Then at 9pm, a new episode of LA Complex did just 450,000 viewers and a 0.2 18-49 rating, on par with the previous week. What a disaster!

Wednesday it was all Fox with the Idol finale.  First, CBS started the night off with two comedy repeats. The Big Bang Theory aired at 8 doing 5.63 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, up five tenths from previous week's comedy encore. At 8:30, a repeat of Two and a Half Men did 4.38 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating, only up a tenth from previous week's comedy encore despite a higher lead-in. Then at 9, a repeat of Criminal Minds did 6.41 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating. Another repeat followed at 10 doing a similar 6.25 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating. ABC was all-new for its Laugh On comedy block, as the season finale of The Middle started it off doing 6.52 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, up a tenth from previous week as it could be better but spring has hampered it a bit. A Modern Family encore at 8:30pm did 6.0 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, up three tenths from previous week's Suburgatory season finale. The mega hit Modern Family was next at 9pm with its season finale and it did 10.07 million and a 4.1 18-49 rating, which was up two tenths from previous week. At 9:30pm, the season finale of the hilarious Don't Trust the B---- In Apartment 23 did 5.6 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, up a solid five tenths from previous week.  At 10pm the addicting Revenge season finale did 7.85 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, up four tenths from previous week. WOW! What a finale! The series moves to Sundays at 9 next fall and I expect a solid upswing for this promising series. Fox aired American Idol season finale from 8-10:06pm doing 21.49 million and a 6.4 18-49 rating, of course up from previous week by a large amount but its lowest rated finale since season one. NBC opened the night with a new Betty White's Off Their Rockers doing 5.39 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, up a tenth from previous week. Another all-new episode followed at 8:30pm and did a similar 5.28 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week. Will return next season in mid-season again. At 9pm, a repeat of Law & Order: SVU at 9pm did 3.66 million and a 0.9 18-49, up a tenth from previous week. And at 10pm, the season finale of Law & Order: SVU did 7.16 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, up three tenths from previous week. The CW had a repeat of Top Model start it off at 8pm doing 740,000 viewers and a 0.3 18-49 rating, down a tenth week-to-week. A new America's Next Top Model followed at 9 and did just 830,000 viewers and a 0.4 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week.

Starting from Thursday on, the summer season started! So we won't do an analysis, but stay tuned all summer to see how your favorite network sitcoms are doing--repeat or not!

Week 36 How the Sitcoms Did

Last Sunday Sitcoms (counts for Week 35 -- May 14-20)
  • The Simpsons (Fox) - The season finale at 8pm did 4.82 million and just a 2.1 18-49 rating, which is below normal but up two tenths from previous week. Not good. Lowest rated finale ever it seems for this show. At 7pm, a repeat did 2.36 million and a 1.0 18-49 rating, which was up a tenth from previous week.
  • The Cleveland Show (Fox) - The season finale at 7:30pm did 3.01 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. Way too low.
  • Bob's Burgers (Fox) - The season finale at 8:30pm did 3.57 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, which is not too good and down a tenth from previous week despite its lead-in going up.  This show really should not be back.
  • Family Guy (Fox) - The one-hour season finale did 5.35 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, for the best of the block and up two tenths from previous week. Lowest rated finale for this show ever.
  • American Dad! (Fox) - preempted.
Monday Sitcoms
  • How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - A repeat (yes in sweeps) did 4.06 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating. Seems low.
  • 2 Broke Girls (CBS) - A repeat of this comedy did 4.62 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, growing from its lead-in. Will it be ready at 9pm to anchor the night? I don't think total viewers will be as strong as Men.
  • Two and a Half Men (CBS) - A repeat did 7.23 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating. This show usually repeats better. We shall see how it does this summer.
  • Mike & Molly (CBS) - 6.29 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating for a repeat is OK.
Tuesday Sitcoms
  • Last Man Standing (ABC) - preempted.
  • Cougar Town (ABC) - preempted, one-hour finale this Tuesday.
  • New Girl (Fox) - preempted.
Wednesday Sitcoms
  • The Middle (ABC) - The season finale did 6.52 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, up a tenth from previous week. Should bounce back to high 2's/low 3's in fall.
  • The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - A special repeat did 5.63 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating at 8. Solid!
  • Suburgatory (ABC) - preempted.
  • Two and a Half Men (CBS) - A special repeat at 8:30pm did just 4.38 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating. Losing steam from its lead-in. Weird.
  • Modern Family (ABC) - The season finale of this mega hit did 10.07 million and a 4.1 18-49 rating, up two tenths from previous week's season low.
  • Don't Trust the B---- In Apartment 23 (ABC) - The season finale did 5.6 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, up five tenths from previous week. Pretty impressive against the final half-hour of Idol finale.
Thursday Sitcoms
  • The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - A repeat at 8 did 8.27 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, off two tenths from previous week. Should stay above a 2 all summer.
  • Rules of Engagement (CBS) - A repeat did 6.12 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating.
  • Community (NBC) - preempted.
  • 30 Rock (NBC) - preempted
  • The Office (NBC) 2 airings - A repeat at 8 did just 2.26 million and a 0.7 18-49 rating.  Another repeat followed at 8:30 doing an embarrassing 1.86 million and a 0.7 18-49 rating.
  • Parks and Recreation (NBC) - preempted.
Friday Sitcoms
  • None.
Saturday Sitcoms
  • How to Be a Gentleman (CBS) 2 episodes - Two burn-off airings did nothing.
Airing tonight (Sunday) are no comedies.

Summing it up. Airings of Modern Family, Two and a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory, 2 Broke Girls were impressive for the week. Everything else was OK (such as The Middle, Don't Trust the B---- In Apartment 23) or just plain old terrible (such as The Office).


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Friday, December 19

Happy's Place - "Izzy and the Professor" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
When a woman inherits her late father's tavern, she's shocked to discover that it's co-owned by a half-sister she never knew existed... who has some interesting new ideas about how to run the family business.

Stumble - "The Tell-Tale Slurp" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
After being fired from her champion cheerleading team, coach Courteney Potter is starting over in a small Southern town where she's putting together a brand-new squad of lovable misfits in the hopes of making a comeback and winning it all.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of December 15)

Friday, December 19

  • Regina Hall (Black Monday/Grandfathered/Married/Second Generation Wayans) - Watch Regina on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Tom Hanks (Bosom Buddies) - Tom is a guest on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Matt Rogers (No Good Deed/I Love That for You) - Matt appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Rickey Smiley (The Rickey Smiley Show) - Rickey is a guest on a repeat of Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Bradley Cooper (Kitchen Confidential) and Will Arnett (Murderville/Arrested Development/Flaked/The Millers/Up All Night/Running Wilde) - Bradley and Will discuss Is Thing On? on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm. Will tells Drew about playing a dramatic role in new film Is This Thing On? working with Bradley Cooper, and his podcast with pals Sean Hayes and Jason Bateman on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
  • Kumail Nanjiani (Bless the Harts/Silicon Valley) - Kumail chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
  • James Van Der Beek (Friends with Better Lives/Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23) - James opens up on his cancer battle on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am.
  • Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother/Star Raving Mad/Doogie Howser, M.D.) - NBC's Today catches up with Neil in the 9am hour.
  • Paul Rudd (The Shrink Next Door/Living with Yourself/Wild Oats) - Paul and Jack Black talk about Anaconda on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
  • Robby Hoffman (Hacks) - Robby covers the news with Drew on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
  • Zooey Deschanel (New Girl) - Zooey and Charlie Cox talk about their new film Merv with the doggie star of the film on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.


New on DVD and Blu-ray

Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray) Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete First Season (DVD) St. Denis Medical - Season One (Blu-ray) Happy's Place - Season One (Blu-ray) Two and a Half Men - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)

01/28 - Wait Till Your Father Gets Home - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/04 - The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series (DVD)
03/11 - Frasier (2023) - Season Two (DVD)
04/01 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season (DVD)
05/13 - The Drew Carey Show - The Complete Series* (missing 4 episodes and some music has been replaced or altered)
06/06 - Shoresy - Season 2 (DVD)
06/17 - Looney Tunes - Collector's Vault - Volume 1 (Blu-ray)
07/22 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
08/26 - The Huckleberry Hound Show - The Complete Original Series (Blu-ray)
10/07 - Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete First Season (DVD)
10/14 - Curb Your Enthusiasm - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (DVD)
10/28 - St. Denis Medical - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/04 - Happy's Place - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/11 - Rick and Morty - Season 8 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/11 - SpongeBob SquarePants - The Complete Fifteenth Season (DVD)
11/11 - Two and a Half Men - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/02 - Tom and Jerry - The Golden Era Anthology (1940-1958) (Blu-ray) (DVD)

More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD and Blu-ray Releases / TV Shows on DVD, Blu-ray and Prime Video / DVD Reviews Archive


Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts

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11/27 - 2025 Thanksgiving TV Marathons
11/26 - ABC's Scrubs First Teaser During Dancing with the Stars Finale; Eva Green Joins Wednesday Season 3
11/25 - COZI TV Acquires Malcolm & Eddie and The Steve Harvey Show; 53rd International Emmy® Awards Winners
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11/23 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of November 24, 2025)
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11/19 - Tubi's Comedy Mo' Waffles Premieres December 19; 78th Emmy® Awards Set for September 14, 2026
11/18 - CBS Midseason 2026 Schedule; SNL Closes Out 2025 with 3 Episodes in December