Week 33 TV Ratings and Analysis; How the Sitcoms Did

Sunday, May 06, 2012

Week 33 TV Ratings and Analysis; How the Sitcoms Did

2011-12 Week 33 TV Ratings (first four nights final ratings, Mon-Thu):

Households: #1. CBS 7.4 rating/11.9 share; #2. ABC 6.3/10.1; #3. Fox 6.1/9.6; #4. NBC 3.7/5.9; #5. The CW 0.8/1.3
Total Viewers: #1. CBS 11.84 million; #2. Fox 9.86 million; #3. ABC 9.52 million; #4. NBC 5.79 million; #5. The CW 1.19 million.
Adults 18-49: #1. Fox. 3.0 rating/8.4 share; #2. CBS 2.8/7.9; #3. ABC 2.3/6.4; #4. NBC 2.0/5.6; #5 . The CW 0.6/1.6.

Week 33 (April 30-May 6) Analysis: Week 33 has May sweeps continuing and we have all-new episodes every day! Through the the first four nights, ABC, CBS and Fox are very close to each other again in HH/viewers, with CBS on top, followed by ABC and Fox battling for second. In the more important adults 18-49, it is also close, with Fox with the slight edge over CBS. ABC is third and NBC is a distant fourth and also in HH/viewers. When the week is over by tonight, it could be the same as this, but I expect ABC to take over second place in total viewers over Fox. More on the prediction of week 33 below. As for last week, week 32, Fox took the 18-49 crown, while CBS took home HH/total viewers. ABC was second in both categories once again. CBS was third in 18-49, while Fox was third in HH/viewers. And that left NBC fourth across the board. The second straight week of same rankings.

On Monday, it was CBS beating NBC, as NBC has fallen a lot on this night. First, on ABC, Dancing with the Stars started it off from 8-10pm doing a first place 16.2 million and a 2.8 18-49 rating, but down four tenths from previous week. Don't get that, but I fully expect it to go up tomorrow. At 10pm, Castle was all-new and did a solid 11.08 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, not losing much of its lead-in. Thrilling season finale is tomorrow night and will be a hit with fans! For CBS, a new How I Met Your Mother did 7.99 million and a 3.3 18-49 rating, which seems below average but up solidly from its previous new episode. A new 2 Broke Girls followed with 9.24 million and a 3.6 18-49 rating, building nicely from its lead-in. A new Two and a Half Men followed at 9 with 11.32 million and a 3.8 rating, the best of the block as usual. A new showing of Mike & Molly was next and did 10.16 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating, the lowest of the block despite airing after the best of the block. Hmm. At 10, a new episode of Hawaii Five-0 did 10.91 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, which is below normal and I wonder if it will be second place tomorrow in 18-49? Fox started off the night with Bones doing 7.16 million and a 2.0 rating, down two tenths from the previous week. House was new at 9 with 6.45 million and a 2.1 rating, down two tenths from previous week. Going out with a whimper, as the series finale nears. NBC started it off with a two-hour The Voice and did 9.52 million and a 3.5 18-49 rating, which was down three tenths from previous week for a 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 thirteen of critical darling Smash was next doing 5.34 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating, which was down two tenths from previous week for a 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 1.02 million and a 0.6 18-49 rating, up a tenth from previous week. A new Hart of Dixie followed with 1.39 million and a 0.6 rating, also up a tenth from previous week.

On Tuesday, it was close for first place with CBS with the edge. On CBS, NCIS at 8 started it off with a new episode doing 17.58 million and a 3.1 18-49 rating. Below normal again. Then a new NCIS: Los Angeles at 9pm did 15.21 million and a 3.0 18-49 rating, up nicely from its previous episode as the crossover with Hawaii Five-0 certainly helped. Perhaps those two will be paired with each other next season, as at 10pm, a new episode of Unforgettable did 10.66 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating, losing to ABC in the hour. ABC aired a new Last Man Standing doing 6.52 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating. Season finale is this Tuesday! A new Cougar Town did 4.77 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, down two tenths week-to-week, needs to go up this Tuesday. At 9pm, the live Dancing with the Stars: The Results did 13.87 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, on par with previous week, as we said goodbye to the Jaleel White. He didn't deserve to go! Next at 10pm, was a new Private Practice on its new night doing 7.38 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week but still wins its hour. Fox aired a new Glee doing 6.01 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, down two tenths from previous week. New Girl was new at 9 too and did 4.4 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, down four tenths from previous week. Spring blues for sure. At 9:30pm a repeat followed and did just 2.79 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, on par week-to-week. NBC was next with The Biggest Loser season finale in the 8pm hour doing 7.2 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, which was on par with previous week. At 9, NBC aired the live The Voice results show doing 8.9 million and a 3.1 18-49 rating, down three tenths from previous week. At 10pm, NBC's new reality series Fashion Star did just 4.23 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, again on par with previous week. This show is not cutting it after a big lead-in. The CW was all-new with 90210 doing 1.13 million and a 0.6 18-49 rating, which was on par with the previous week. Then at 9pm, a new episode of LA Complex did just 580,000 viewers and a 0.3 18-49 rating, on par with previous week's god awful premiere.

Wednesday it was all Fox with the win as CBS and ABC battled for a distant second. First, CBS started the night off with a new Survivor: One World doing 9.43 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, which was down a tenth from previous week for another series low. Then at 9pm, a new episode of Criminal Minds did 11.47 million and a 3.0 18-49 rating, could be better. And at 10pm a new CSI did 9.75 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, as it has gone down since competition returned. ABC was all-new for its Laugh On comedy block, as a new The Middle started it off doing 6.63 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, as it could be better but spring has hampered it a bit. Suburgatory followed with a new telecast at 8:30pm doing 5.79 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, holding its lead-in. The mega hit Modern Family was next at 9pm with a new episode and it did 10.06 million and 4.1 18-49 rating, which was down a tenth from its previous new episode a few weeks back. At 9:30pm, week four of the hilarious Don't Trust the B---- In Apartment 23 was all-new and did 5.73 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, up four tenths from previous week when its lead-in was a repeat. What an episode!. At 10pm the addicting Revenge was new and did 7.14 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. Should build now as we get closer to the first season finale. Fox aired American Idol from 8-10pm doing 16.66 million and a 4.7 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week and still good for #1 for the week again. The Voice is no longer the top series. No more Super Bowl inflation. NBC opened the night with a new Betty White's Off Their Rockers doing 4.91 million but just a 1.3 18-49 rating, down four tenths from previous week. Another all-new episode followed at 8:30pm and did a similar 4.9 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating. Not good at all. At 9pm, a new Rock Center with Brian Williams at 9pm did 4.14 million and a 1.0 18-49, but actually up a tenth from previous week as it hit a 1 rating! And at 10pm, a new Law & Order: SVU did 6.62 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, up two tenths from previous week. The CW had a repeat of LA Complex start it off at 8pm doing 650,000 viewers and a 0.2 18-49 rating, which is down a tenth from previous week. A new America's Next Top Model followed at 9 and did 1.01 million and a 0.5 18-49 rating, on par with previous week.

Thursday it was Fox edging out CBS by just a tenth for the win. Starting with ABC, they opened the night with week eight of Missing doing 6.32 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating, down three tenths from previous week for a series low. Not good since it was showing consistency the past few weeks. At 9pm, a new Grey's Anatomy aired doing 9.24 million and a 3.3 18-49 rating, on par with previous week again. Awesome episode again, too! At 10pm, a new Scandal did 6.69 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, down just a tenth from previous week. First time it dropped though. That's a good thing for a possible renewal. CBS started with a new episode of The Big Bang Theory doing a great 13.91 million and a scripted best 4.7 18-49 rating, up six tenths from previous week's season low. I think repeats the last few weeks hurt it the previous week more so than the NFL Draft. A new Rules of Engagement did 8.88 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating, up two tenths from previous week. Solid performance for a show everyone wants to get rid of. A new episode of Person of Interest aired next at 9 and did 13.27 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, up a tenth from previous week. Could be better and we know it can do better. The Mentalist was next at 10 and new too and did 12.94 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, up three tenths from previous week. Fox aired American Idol at 8 doing 15.56 million and a 4.0 18-49 rating, again on par with previous week. Then a new episode of Touch at 9 did 6.72 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, which was up a tenth from previous week's low. NBC was all-new with a new Community up first doing 3.2 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, which was on par with previous week. As I keep saying, 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 3.04 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, down two tenths from previous week when it was a live episode. Really, 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 4.44 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, up two tenths from previous week's 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 3.26 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, up some week-to-week. At 10pm, week ten of Awake is dead in the ratings as it did 2.15 million and a 0.7 18-49 rating, down a tenth 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 2.54 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating, up a tenth from previous week BUT 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 1.23 million and a 0.5 18-49 rating, on par with previous week.

Now, final numbers for Friday and Saturday are not available, but ABC edged out a win on Friday. Shark Tank at 8pm was new and #1 for the entire night, as Undercover Boss had to settle for second place and a series low. At 9pm NBC's Grimm and CSI: NY on CBS were tied for second, behind ABC's What Would You Do? CBS' Blue Bloods was no match for ABC's 20/20, as it was #1 at 10 for a clean ABC sweep. Fox's Fringe was low at 9pm under a 1 rating, but it is back for the final 13 episodes next season anyway.
Saturday numbers have Fox winning a very slow night with UFC action. ABC aired the network premiere of Hancock from 9-11pm and just OK, as NBC's Escape Routes finale did nothing as usual. CBS had the #1 show of the night with 48 Hours at 10pm.

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 again and the its the last episode before next week's two-hour finale for Desperate. NBC has Dateline at 7, with Celebrity Apprentice from 9-11pm, and Harry's Law leading in. Maybe a third or fourth place finish. CBS has new airings of 60 Minutes then the two-hour Amazing Race finale and week four of low rated bomb NYC 22. A second place finish I think, but could beat ABC if all the cards are played correctly. Fox has Animation Domination which could have them in third place, but I also could see them in fourth.

As for the week (week 33), Fox will likely win the week in 18-49 but it won't be a runaway. 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 34, we have some finales like 2 Broke Girls, Castle, Last Man Standing, The Voice, New Girl, CSI, Big Bang Theory, The Office, Parks & Recreation, and perhaps the final ever episode of Unforgettable! These finales airing a week or two early, so make a note of it! Pick of the week: Modern Family episode set at Disneyland!

Week 33 How the Sitcoms Did

Last Sunday Sitcoms (counts for Week 32 -- April 23-29)

The Simpsons (Fox) - A new episode at 8pm did 5.0 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, which seems below normal. At 7pm, a repeat did 2.57 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating, which is not too bad.
The Cleveland Show (Fox) - A new showing at 7:30pm did 3.12 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, as it has not done well in this slot.
Bob's Burgers (Fox) - A new episode at 8:30pm did 3.92 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, which is not too good.
Family Guy (Fox) - At 9pm, an all-new airing did 5.63 million and a 2.8 18-49 rating, for the best of the block.
American Dad! (Fox) - At 9:30pm , a new showing did 4.06 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating. Same old, same old.

Monday Sitcoms

How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - A new telecast delivered 7.99 million and a 3.3 18-49 rating. Below normal yet still solid.
2 Broke Girls (CBS) - A new episode did 9.24 million and a 3.6 18-49 rating, building three tenths from its lead-in.
Two and a Half Men (CBS) - A new showing of this sitcom did 11.32 million and a 3.8 18-49 rating. Old faithful, indeed.
Mike & Molly (CBS) - 10.16 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating is solid, but following the #1 comedy on Mondays, it could be about two or three tenths better.

Tuesday Sitcoms

Last Man Standing (ABC) - A new episode did 6.52 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, yes could be better, but it is spring. It should bounce back well in the fall. It'll return, no doubt about it to me.
Cougar Town (ABC) - A new episode unfortunately didn't do that well with 4.77 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, down two tenth from previous week, when its lead-in was a repeat. Ugh.
New Girl (Fox) - A new episode at 9pm did 4.4 million and a 2.2 rating, down four tenths from previous week for a series low. See, 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 2.79 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, on par with previous week.

Wednesday Sitcoms

The Middle (ABC) - A new episode did 6.63 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating in its return to new episodes, as Whoopi Goldberg guest starred! The Whoopster!
Suburgatory (ABC) - Anew episode did 5.79 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, down from normal but continues to hold or build from lead-in.
Modern Family (ABC) - A new episode of this mega hit did 10.06 million and a 4.1 18-49 rating, down a tenth from its last new airing, but look for it to grow the next few weeks as we get closer to the end of the season.
Don't Trust the B---- In Apartment 23 (ABC) - The fourth episode did 5.73 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, up four tenths from previous week when its lead-in was a repeat. How good was that episode!

Thursday Sitcoms

The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - A new episode at 8 did 13.91 million and a 4.7 18-49 rating, up six tenths from previous week's season low. Wow. I guess many thought it was a repeat the previous week since there were many repeats in April.
Rules of Engagement (CBS) - A new episode did 8.88 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating, which is up two tenths from previous week. Could have been up a bit more, but this is solid.
Community (NBC) - A new episode did 3.2 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. This niche comedy has a chance to return despite the low ratings.
30 Rock (NBC) - A new episode did 3.04 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, down two tenths from previous week when it was a live episode.
The Office (NBC) - A new episode did only 4.44 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, up two tenths from previous week's series low.On its last legs for sure, as it can't anchor anymore.
Parks and Recreation (NBC) - The a new episode did 3.26 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, also up two tenths 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, Modern Family, Two and a Half Men, 2 Broke Girls, How I Met Your Mother, Mike & Molly were impressive for the week. Everything else was OK (such as New Girl, The Office) or just plain old terrible (such as Community, 30 Rock).

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Thursday, December 26

Ghosts - "The Christmas: Spirit One" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
In part one of a special one-hour #Ghostsmas episode, Jay’s sister, Bela (Punam Patel), visits Woodstone Mansion and brings along an adoring male friend, inspiring Sam to spark a romance between them in the spirit of the holiday rom-coms she loves. Meanwhile, the ghosts have conjured up a very different holiday plan for Trevor and Bela. Also, Isaac has an awkward encounter with Nigel that forces him to look back on events in his life.

Ghosts - "The Christmas: Spirit Two" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
In part two of a special one-hour #Ghostsmas episode, Sam and Thorfinn get caught in the crossfire as the scheme Jay’s sister, Bela (Punam Patel), and the ghosts have conjured up goes awry. Also, Isaac’s marriage to Beatrice sheds light on how apprehensive he has been in communicating his feelings to Nigel.

Ghosts - "A Very Arondekar Christmas Part 1" / "A Very Arondekar Christmas Part 2" (CBS, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
A leaky water heater mishap threatens to ruin holiday plans as Sam and Jay prepare to host Jay’s hard-to-please dad, Mahesh (Bernard White), difficult-to-impress mom, Champa (Sakina Jaffrey), and sister Bela (Punam Patel), on a one-hour GHOSTSMAS special.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of December 23)

Thursday, December 26

Jenny Slate (The Great North/Big Mouth/Married/Bob's Burgers) - Catch Jenny on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Paul Feig (Sabrina, the Teenage Witch/The Louie Show/The Jackie Thomas Show/Dirty Dancing) - Paul is a guest on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
Luke Wilson (No Good Deed/Englightened) - Luke is joining Drew for a round of "Behind-the-Scenes" with tidbits from his roles in movies like Legally Blonde on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings. He's also telling her about his role in the thrilling new show, No Good Deed.
Whitney Cummings (Whitney) - Whitney is chatting with Drew about joining her on Hollywood Squares, going back to work in comedy after becoming a mother, and hosting her new trivia show about Friends on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Michelle Buteau (Survival of the Thickest/Bless the Harts/Enlisted) - Michelle appears on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
Sanaa Lathan (Family Guy/The Cleveland Show/LateLine) - Sanaa and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor talk about the enduring power of friendship in their new Hulu film The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat on a repeat of Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
Carol Kane (Taxi/All Is Forgiven/Amerian Dreamer/Pearl/Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) - Carol chats with the ladies of The View on a repeat on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Lamorne Morris (Woke/New Girl) - Lamorne sits down for an interview on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your listings.
Jay Pharoah (White Famous/Champaign ILL) - Jay talks about his new virtual reality series Soapstone Comedy Presents on a repeat of Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.