Week 3 TV Ratings and Analysis; How the Sitcoms Did

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Week 3 TV Ratings and Analysis; How the Sitcoms Did

2012-13 Week 3 TV Ratings (first four nights, Mon-Thu):

Households: #1. CBS 7.2/11.0 (rating/share); #2. ABC 6.5/10.0; #3. NBC 4.7/7.3; #4. Fox 3.9/6.0; #5. The CW 1.3/1.9
Total Viewers: #1. CBS 11.21 million; #2. ABC 9.88 million; #3. NBC 7.64 million; #4. Fox 6.53 million; #5. The CW 2.0 million.
Adults 18-49: #1. CBS 2.8/7.5 (rating/share); #2. NBC 2.7/7.4; #3. Fox 2.4/6.4; #4. ABC 2.3/6.1; #5. The CW 0.8/2.2

Week 3 (Oct. 8-14) Analysis: This week saw another debate cause primetime to be messed up on Thursday. Through the first four nights, CBS has the lead in all categories but it is very close, especially in 18-49. ABC is in second in HH/viewers but fourth in 18-49, but only a half a point behind CBS who is #1. NBC is third in HH/viewers, but second in 18-49, but that will change after tonight's NFL game and they could take the week again. They were actually helped out on Thursday as two-hours of the low rated Thursday line-up was preempted for the debate. Fox is in fourth in HH/total viewers and third in 18-49, but it could challenge NBC for the week with an NFL overrun tonight and MLB NLCS Game 1. I expect CBS to take the week in HH/viewers for sure. ABC will likely remain second in HH/viewers, with NBC third and Fox in fourth. Among adults 18-49, we can see some big changes after tonight once again, especially if Fox has a huge NFL overrun tonight. More on that later. As for last week, week 2, NBC won the week again among adults 18-49 thanks to the NFL game. CBS was second, while Fox and ABC trailed. Among total viewers, CBS took that crown again followed by ABC in second. NBC was a close third again, followed by Fox.

Monday started off week three and it was the same as previous two weeks...NBC on top in 18-49 and ABC in total viewers. Starting with ABC, a two-hour Dancing with the Stars: All-Stars did 13.55 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, up a tenth in 18-49 from previous week. Hopefully it will continue to go up and Paula Abdul will be a guest fourth judge tomorrow night. Competing against The Voice has hurt it. A new episode of Castle followed with a first place 10.61 million and a second place 2.2 18-49 rating, up three tenths in 18-49 from the previous week. Solid. For NBC, a two-hour The Voice, which is in week five actually, did 12.89 million and a night best 4.8 18-49 rating, up again two tenths in 18-49 from previous week. At 10pm, week four of Revolution did well for NBC with a third place 8.01 million but a first place 3.0 18-49 rating, but again down two tenths in 18-49 from previous week. It's been picked up for a full season, though. Next up was CBS with its comedies and the slumping Hawaii Five-0. How I Met Your Mother started it off with 7.82 million and a 3.1 18-49 rating, down two tenths from previous week. Week three of Partners followed with just 5.71 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, also down two tenths in 18-49 from previous week. Not good for a CBS Monday comedy! If it goes any lower, it will be gone I think. Then it was 2 Broke Girls at 9pm doing 9.42 million and a 3.4 18-49 rating, down a tenth in 18-49 from previous week. Not as strong as the previous CBS Monday 9pm anchors, is it? A new Mike & Molly followed with 8.67 million and a 2.8 18-49 rating, also down a tenth in 18-49 week-to-week. A new Hawaii Five-0 was next doing a second place 8.39 million but a third place 1.9 18-49 rating, down a tenth in 18-49 from previous week. Fox was next with week four of Bones doing 7.2 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating at 8pm, down three tenths in 18-49 from previous week. Is this show quietly dying? Then the fourth episode of The Mob Doctor did only 3.36 million and 0.9 18-49 rating, down a tenth in 18-49 from premiere week. Fox says they will air all 13 episodes, which is very strange. It will not get any more than those 13 episodes obviously. The CW aired season premieres, with 90120 starting it off with just 940,000 viewers and a 0.4 18-49 rating. Ouch! And Gossip Girl followed with just 780,000 viewers and a 0.4 18-49 rating. Time for these to go already! Horrible.

On Tuesday, it was CBS with the victory in total viewers but NBC sneaked by for an 18-49 win. CBS had the always reliable NCIS opening the night off with 18.51 million and a 3.4 18-49 rating, down three tenths in 18-49 from previous week. It has gone down seven tenths though since its season premiere, concerning, but still solid. A new NCIS: Los Angeles was next and did 15.18 million and 3.0 18-49 rating, down a tenth in 18-49 from previous week. And finally CBS aired week three of new series Vegas and did 11.78 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, on par in 18-49 from previous week, but had to settle for a tie for first place at 10. ABC was next with a special Dancing with the Stars All-Stars recap episode doing 8.25 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week's episode. The live Dancing with the Stars: All-Stars: The Results followed with 13.33 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, up a tenth in 18-49 from previous week. That was an action packed results show (loved the stars picking the dances for others)...one of the best ones ever. We sadly said goodbye to Drew Lachey and Helio Castroneves in a double elimination. A new episode of Private Practice followed and did 6.0 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, which was on par in 18-49 from previous week. NBC started off solidly with week 5 of The Voice in the 8pm hour doing 12.19 million and a 4.5 18-49 rating, up 1.5 18-49 ratings point from previous week's recap episode. New comedy Go On followed with 6.65 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, up five tenths in 18-49 from previous week but it still lost to the competing Fox comedy again despite a larger lead-in. Concerning, but it was picked up for a full season. And week five of The New Normal did 4.86 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, which was up three tenths in 18-49 from previous week. And it beat the new Fox comedy. A new Parenthood at 10pm did 4.95 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, up a solid four tenths in 18-49 week-to-week. Seems like this show goes up and down a lot. Fox started it off with a new Raising Hope at 8pm doing 4.03 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating, which was actually up a tenth in 18-49 from the previous week's season premiere. Then week three of Ben & Kate followed doing only 3.23 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, down a tenth in 18-49 from previous week. No matter how you spin it, that's not good news...but Fox picked-up six more episodes. That's So Fox. At 9pm, we had a new New Girl doing 4.94 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating, down a tenth in 18-49 from previous week. Low total viewers but still a solid 18-49 rating. Week three of the big disappointment The Mindy Project at 9:30pm did 3.55 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, but on par in 18-49 from previous week. Once again, That's So Fox, cause they picked-up nine more episodes. The CW aired a new Hart of Dixie at 8pm and did 1.19 million and a 0.5 18-49 rating, which was down two tenths in 18-49 from the season premiere the previous week. New series Emily Owens MD launches this Tuesday at 9pm.

Wednesday it was CBS with the total viewers win, but Fox in 18-49, though ABC was close by. First, CBS started the night off with week four of Survivor: Philippines at 9.82 million and a 2.8 18-49 rating, down two tenths in 18-49 from previous week. Veteran drama Criminal Minds followed at 9 with 11.49 million and a 3.0 18-49 rating, which is below normal. A new CSI at 10 did 10.7 million and a second place 2.6 18-49 rating, solid. ABC started off with its Comedy Wednesday comedy block with a new episode of The Middle doing 7.9 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, up two tenths from previous week. Not bad, but it could do better. At 8:30pm, The Neighbors was new at 8:30pm and did 6.39 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, up a tenth in 18-49 from previous week. Honestly, that was a very funny episode. This show is surprising everyone and doing OK even. At 9pm, Modern Family was all-new and did 12.08 million and a very good 4.8 18-49 rating. But wait, there's more! A second all-new episode followed with an even better 12.31 million and a 4.9 18-49 rating, building from its first airing. The season premiere of Suburgatory will premiere this Wednesday at 9:30pm. It's a great one! The series premiere of Nashville was next at 10pm and was off to a solid start with 8.93 million and a first place 2.8 18-49 rating. Can it stay in this range now? If it stays 2.4-2.8 (or more), it will be fine. Fox aired week five of The X Factor doing 9.56 million and a 3.5 18-49 rating, on par with from previous week's one hour episode. NBC opened the night with a new Animal Practice, which is awful by the way, dropping to 3.8 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating, which is down two tenths in 18-49 from previous week and a series low. At 8:30pm, the news wasn't good either but a tad better with new comedy Guys with Kids doing only 4.19 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, also down two tenths in 18-49 from previous week. Law & Order: SVU was next at 9pm and did just 6.24 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating. Time for this show to end. The series premiere of Chicago Fire followed at 10 and did 6.61 million and a just a 1.9 18-49 rating. Not good to premiere below a 2. The CW had the series premiere of Arrow and they did well with 4.14 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, wow! These are the types of shows The CW needs! Week two of Supernatural at 9pm followed and did 2.51 million and a 1.0 18-49 rating, up two tenths in 18-49 from previous week's season premiere thanks to a nice lead-in. Good job CW!

Thursday it was CBS with the win for the third straight week, but it was atypical with the Vice Presidential Debate coverage airing from 9-11pm ET. ABC opened the night with week three of Last Resort doing 6.89 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, again down three tenths in 18-49 from previous week. Hopefully it goes up this Thursday with the whole line-up back. Grey's Anatomy and Scandal were preempted for ABC News Your Voice Your Vote 2012: Vice Presidential Debate. The debate doesn't count in the ratings, but the analysis from 10:33-11pm ET did and posted 6.06 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, which is lower than what ABC would normally do in the half-hour. CBS opened with a new The Big Bang Theory at 14.23 million and a 4. A18-49 rating, down four tenths in 18-49 from previous week. Second to Modern Family for #2 comedy in 18-49 for the week. Week three of Two and a Half Men on a new night and time followed with 11.35 million and a 3.5 18-49 rating, down a tenth in 18-49 from previous week. Solid, but no better than Rules of Engagement in the time period. Then Person of Interest and Elementary were preempted for CBS Campaign 2012: Vice Presidential Debate. The debate doesn't count in the ratings, but the analysis from 10:33pm-11pm ET did and posted 5.93 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, also lower than what CBS would normally do in the half-hour. Fox aired week five of The X Factor and did 8.43 million and a 2.9 18-49 rating, down three tenths in 18-49 from previous week. Then Glee was preempted for the Fox Vice Presidential Debate. The debate doesn't count in the ratings, but the analysis from 10:33-11pm ET did and posted 4.14 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating. NBC was in the familiar fourth place with a new 30 Rock doing 3.4 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating only, down a tenth in 18-49 from previous week. Ouch. A new Up All Night followed and did only 2.88 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating, down three tenths in 18-49 week-to-week. Not good at all. Then The Office, Parks Recreation and Rock Center with Brian Williams were preempted for NBC News Decision 2012: Vice Presidential Debate. The debate doesn't count in the ratings, but the analysis from 10:33-11pm ET did and posted 6.7 million and a 2.0 18-49, much higher than what NBC would normally do in the half-hour. NBC is the only one who benefited. The CW's big gun Vampire Diaries had its season premiere and did 3.18 million and a very good (for CW) 1.6 18-49 rating. New series Beauty & the Beast premiered at 9pm and did 2.78 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating, which is decent. If it stays here, CW has a solid option..

Now, final numbers for Friday and Saturday are not available, but ABC took the top spot on Friday. ABC won the 8pm hour and the night with week five of Shark Tank tying a series high, while CBS did a bit better without Made In Jersey as CSI: NY moved back to 9pm. NBC won 9pm just barely with Grimm, as ABC's WWYD dropped a bit, while CBS tied ABC at 10pm with Blue Bloods. Fox had a poor night with a new Fringe trailing NBC, CBS and ABC.
Saturday numbers had ABC win the night with NASCAR, as Fox's college football game did nothing.

Tonight are new episodes for ABC Sunday (AFV, Once Upon a Time, Revenge and 666 Park Avenue). Look for a solid night and Once will be the top series on the night excluding NFL. NBC should do well with the NFL with Packers and Texans, which will win them the night and maybe come close to winning the week again (unless Fox does big with the overrun tonight). CBS has a new Amazing Race following 60 Minutes, and The Good Wife at 9pm leading into The Mentalist at 10pm. Looks like a fourth place finish with no NFL overrun. Fox preempts its animation block for MLB NLCS Game #1 following a NFL overrun. Should be good for #2 for the night?

As for the week (week 3), CBS will win in HH, viewers but 18-49 is anyone's game again depending on tonight. Can Fox make a push for a win? Or will NBC make it three weeks in a row thanks to the NFL? For sure they will be first or second in 18-49. ABC will finish second likely in HH/viewers, followed by NBC and Fox. In 18-49, Fox and NBC will battle for first, then ABC and CBS will battle for third. As for the coming week (week 4), look for another debate on Tuesday, series premiere of Emily Owens M.D. and ABC's season premiere of Suburgatory!

Week 3 How the Sitcoms Did

Last Sunday Sitcoms (counts for Week 2 -- Oct. 1-7)

The Simpsons (Fox) 2 airings - A new episode at 8pm did 6.57 million and a 3.1 18-49 rating, down seven tenths in 18-49 from the season premiere the previous week, as it didn't have a direct NFL lead-in. A repeat at 7pm mustered 2.71 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating.
The Cleveland Show (Fox) - The season premiere at 7:30pm did 4.47 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, which is not that bad in this early slot.
Bob's Burgers (Fox) - A new episode did 4.89 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, down three tenths in 18-49 from previous week. Seems like the weak spot of the line-up.
Family Guy (Fox) - A new episode at 9 did 6.7 million and a 3.4 18-49 rating, which is actually up a tenth in 18-49 from the season premiere the previous week. Good.
American Dad! (Fox) - A new showing at 9:30 posted 5.18 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, and like its lead-in, up a tenth in 18-49 from its season premiere.

Monday Sitcoms

How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - Week three did 7.82 million and a 3.1 18-49 rating, which is down two tenths in 18-49 from the previous week. Looks like last season's big jump will not happen this season as it is still solid but not blockbuster like last season.
Partners (CBS) - Week three of this freshman sitcom did just 5.71 million a 1.9 18-49 rating, also down two tenths in 18-49 from previous week. It has gone below a 2.0 18-49 rating, so look out, especially if it drops tomorrow night. If it does, goodbye.
2 Broke Girls (CBS) - 9.42 million and a 3.4 18-49 rating is solid but down a tenth in 18-49 from its previous week. Again...was it too early for this series to be moved to an anchor spot? I really think it was.
Mike & Molly (CBS) - The third episode of the season did 8.67 million and a 2.8 18-49 rating, also down a tenth in 18-49 from the previous week. Look for CBS to be preempted in San Diego tomorrow for the NFL game, but only the 8pm hour will be preempted, as the 9pm hour will get a boost in San Diego following NFL action.

Tuesday Sitcoms

Raising Hope (Fox) - A new episode at 8pm did only 4.03 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating, but actually up a tenth from its season premiere the previous week. OK.
Ben & Kate (Fox) - Week three of this new comedy did just 3.23 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, down a tenth in 18-49 from the previous week...yet Fox picked-up six more episodes. Very strange!
New Girl (Fox) - A new episode did 4.94 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating, down a tenth in 18-49 from the previous week and getting by NBC's competing comedy in 18-49 despite a lower lead-in. This is one of the more younger skewing series on the top four networks. Low total viewers but solid 18-49 rating.
Go On (NBC) - Week five (well six if you count the special premiere during the Olympics) of this comedy on NBC did 6.65 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, up five tenths in 18-49 from the previous week, as the lead-in was not a recap episode this week. Still lost to Fox despite that huge lead-in.
The Mindy Project (Fox) - Week three for this new comedy did just 3.55 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, on par with its previous week. Still very very disappointing for the comedy that was pretty much a given to do well out of New Girl. Yet, Fox picked-up the back nine...so you'll see this show for the rest of the season. I think it was too early to pick it up.
The New Normal (NBC) - Week five of this comedy beat the competing new Fox comedy, as this show did 4.86 million and 2.0 18-49 rating, up three tenths in 18-49 from previous week thanks to a larger lead-in. This show is doing OK for now.

Wednesday Sitcoms

The Middle (ABC) - Week three did 7.9 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, up two tenths from previous week. Solid, but could be better.
Animal Practice (NBC) - Week three in the timeslot did only 3.8 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating, down two tenths in 18-49 from previous week. Should be pulled soon. Joanna Garcia-Swisher deserves a better show.
The Neighbors (ABC) - Week three of this new series at 8:30pm did 6.39 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, up a tenth in 18-49 week-to-week. It got slammed by critics, yet it is doing better than other new comedies. And honestly, that third episode was pretty funny. If it continues, this could be the surprise of the season.
Guys with Kids (NBC) - Week three of this comedy in the timeslot did only 4.19 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, also down two tenths in 18-49 from previous week. NBC cannot buy any Wednesday comedy hits, yet they keep trying.
Modern Family (ABC) 2 episodes - We get not one, but two new episodes! What a funny hour it was, too. The first episode at 9pm did 12.08 million and a 4.8 18-49 rating, which was down just some from its season premiere two weeks prior. A second new episode followed at 9:30pm with 12.31 million and a 4.9 18-49 rating, the top TV series rating of the week. Phil's-osophy!
Suburgatory (ABC) - Season premiere is THIS Wednesday at a new time of 9:30!

Thursday Sitcoms

The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - Week three did 14.23 million and a 4.5 18-49 rating, down four tenths in 18-49 from the previous week. #2 sitcom of the week behind Modern Family.
Two and a Half Men (CBS) - Week three of this aging comedy did 11.35 million and a 3.5 18-49 rating, down just a tenth in 18-49 from the previous week.
30 Rock (NBC) - A new episode aired at 8pm and did just 3.4 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, down a tenth in 18-49 from previous week. Terrible.
Up All Night (NBC) - A new episode did only 2.88 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating, down three tenths in 18-49 from the previous week. More terrible!
The Office (NBC) - preempted.
Parks & Recreation (NBC) - preempted.

Friday Sitcoms

None.

Saturday Sitcoms

None

Airing tonight (Sunday) are no comedies, as Fox's animated comedies are preempted for MLB NLCS Game #1.

Summing it up. Modern Family, The Big Bang Theory, 2 Broke Girls, How I Met Your Mother, Mike & Molly, Two and a Half Men, New Girl were impressive for the week. Everything else was OK (such as The Middle, The Neighbors, New Normal) or just plain old terrible (such as Animal Practice, Ben & Kate, Up All Night, 30 Rock).

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Wednesday, October 30

Abbott Elementary - "Costume Contest" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT)
It’s Halloween at Abbott Elementary! Janine and Gregory proudly show off their couple’s costume, but it fails to translate. Meanwhile, Barbara faces pushback from parents concerned about hygiene and her beloved apple-bobbing tradition.

Wizards Beyond Waverly Place - "Saved by the Spell" (Disney Channel, 8:00PM ET/PT)
On her first day of school, Billie uses magic to impress Roman's best friend; when a jealous Roman steals Billie's wand, he falls into the grasp of a wizard-hunting phantomus.

Wizards Beyond Waverly Place - "Something Wizard This Way Comes" (Disney Channel, 8:30PM ET/PT)
On Halloween, Billie tells Roman about Pumpkin Belly, a ghoul who eats anyone whose house isn't spookily decorated; Justin, Milo and Giada defend the home from pranksters.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of October 28)

Wednesday, October 30

Sheryl Lee Ralph (Abbott Elementary/Fam/Instant Mom/Moesha/It's a Living) - Watch Sheryl on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Salma Hayek Pinault (The Sinbad Show) - Salma appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Kieran Culkin (Solar Opposites/Go Fish) - Kieran is a guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Tom Hanks (Bosom Buddies) - Tom stops by Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Emily Osment (Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage/Young Sheldon/Young & Hungry/Hannah Montana), Tien Tran (How I Met Your Father) and Vinny Thomas (Platonic) - Emily, Tien and Vinny are guests on After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
Ronny Chieng (Young Rock/Ronny Chieng: International Student) - Ronny hosts Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm.
Adam Pally (Mr. Throwback/Indebted/Making History/The Mindy Project/Happy Endings) - Adam appears on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 3:30am on Bravo.
Keri Russell (Running Wilde/Daddy's Girls) - Keri talks about The Diplomat on ABC's Good Morning America some time between 7-9am and on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
Matty Matheson (The Bear) - Matty talks about improvising scenes on the hit show The Bear and how he started his career in restaurants on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Anna Kendrick (Love Life) - Anna is chatting with Drew about directing her first film Woman of the Hour, the crazy serial killer case the movie is based on, finding boundaries in her life, turning 40 and more on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Mayan Lopez (Lopez vs Lopez) - Mayan discusses her sitcom Lopez vs Lopez on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
Blair Underwood (Fatherhood/The New Adventures of Old Christine) - Blair is a guest on PIX11 Morning News on WPIX in New York at 9:30am.
Marissa Jaret Winokur (What We Do in the Shadows/Retired at 35/Stacked) - Marissa appears on New York Living on WPIX in New York at 10:05am.
Melissa Peterman (Happy's Place/Young Sheldon/Baby Daddy/Working Class/Reba) - Melissa talks about NBC's Happy's Place on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.