Week 5 TV Ratings and Analysis; How the Sitcoms Did

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Week 5 TV Ratings and Analysis; How the Sitcoms Did

2012-13 Week 5 TV Ratings (first four nights, Mon-Thu):

Households: #1. CBS 7.6/11.9 (rating/share); #2. Fox 5.9/9.2; #3. ABC 5.4/8.4; #4. NBC 3.9/6.1; #5. The CW 1.2/1.8
Total Viewers: #1. CBS 12.04 million; #2. Fox 9.59 million; #3. ABC 8.17 million; #4. NBC 6.23 million; #5. The CW 1.8 million.
Adults 18-49: #1. Fox 2.9/8.0 (rating/share); #2. CBS 2.7/7.4; #3. ABC 2.2/6.1; #4. NBC 2.2/6.0; #5. The CW 0.7/1.8

Week 5 (Oct. 22-28) Analysis: For the fourth straight week, we saw another debate cause primetime to be messed up, this time on Monday. And oh, November sweeps started on Thursday. Through the first four nights, CBS has the lead in in HH/viewers, but Fox has sneaked up on top in 18-49 thanks to baseball, even though the games are way down. Fox is second in HH/viewers, followed closely by ABC. NBC is back in fourth. In 18-49, Fox and CBS are battling for first, while ABC and NBC are tied for third. I expect CBS to take the week in HH/viewers. Fox will likely remain second in HH/viewers, with ABC in third and NBC a close fourth thanks to NFL. Among adults 18-49, NBC will likely come back and take it again, unless Fox's NFL overrun tonight is too much to overcome. CBS and ABC will battle for third. More on that later. As for last week, week 4, NBC won the week again among adults 18-49 thanks to the NFL game, just sneaking by CBS by a tenth. ABC was third and a few tenths behind, while Fox was a distant fourth. Among total viewers, CBS took that crown again followed by ABC this time in second. NBC was a close third, followed by Fox way behind.

Monday started off week five and it was affected by the fourth debate. Starting with ABC, a one-hour Dancing with the Stars: All-Stars did 13.27 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, up three tenths in 18-49 from previous week when it was two-hours. Tomorrow it will be back to two hours. ABC News' coverage of the final presidential debate followed at 9pm ET and did not count in the ratings. Castle was preempted and ABC aired the debate analysis from 10:35-11pm ET and did 8.05 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, down from usual in the time slot. For NBC, a one-hour The Voice, which is in week seven actually, did 12.02 million and a night best 4.3 18-49 rating, but down five tenths in 18-49 from previous week when it was two-hours. NBC News' coverage of the final presidential debate followed at 9pm ET and did not count in the ratings. Revolution was preempted and NBC aired the debate analysis from 10:35pm-11pm ET and did 9.33 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating, right about what it does with normal programming in the time period. Next up was CBS. At 8, How I Met Your Mother was preempted for a rerun of Big Bang Theory and it did 7.72 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, solid for a repeat, but seems a little older skewing. Then Partners was preempted for a rerun of 2 Broke Girls that did 6.76 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, right on par with a NEW Partners, wow...not good for that new series. Then the regular 2 Broke Girls and Mike & Molly were preempted. CBS News' coverage of the final presidential debate followed at 9pm ET and did not count in the ratings. Hawaii Five-0 was preempted and CBS aired the debate analysis from 10:35-11pm ET and it did 6.17 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating, down from what CBS normally does with normal programming. Fox was next but Bones and The Mob Doctor were preempted for MLB NLCS Game #7 doing 8.13 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating in primetime, but up eight tenths from game 2 the previous week. Still pretty low for a Game 7. The CW aired their Monday slumping dramas, with 90120 starting it off with just 910,000 viewers and a 0.4 18-49 rating, back down two tenths from its previous week. This has got to be the last season. And Gossip Girl followed with just 950,000 viewers and a 0.4 18-49 rating, on par with its previous again, as this show is going out with a whimper.

On Tuesday, it NBC prevailing in 18-49, just getting by CBS. Starting with CBS, NCIS was new and posted 17.78 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating, which is below normal. At 9, a new NCIS: Los Angeles did 16.53 million and 2.8 18-49 rating, almost coming close to its parent show...wow. At 10pm a new Vegas did only 10.8 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating for a series low and down four tenths from its last new episode two weeks prior. But it's been picked up for a full season. ABC had part two of Dancing with the Stars: All-Stars at 8pm and did 12.9 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, up three tenths in 18-49 from previous week when it was a Results show. No Results on this week due to the debate. Then at 9pm, it was the season premiere of the very funny Happy Endings and that did 5.57 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating, skewing older than normal thanks to its lead-in. This show usually skews very young. At 9:30pm, it was the season premiere of Don't Trust the B---- In Apartment 23 and that did skew very young with 4.2 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, tying the competing NBC comedy. At 10pm, it was a new Private Practice and it did 4.58 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, which is a series low. This is the final season. NBC started off solidly with week 7 of The Voice in the 8pm hour doing 11.22 million and a 4.3 18-49 rating, but down three tenths in18-49 from previous week. New comedy Go On followed with 6.12 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, but it still lost to the competing Fox comedy. At 9:30pm, fellow new comedy The New Normal didn't do that well with 4.33 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, tying the ABC comedy despite a higher lead-in. At 10pm a new Parenthood did 4.85 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, actually good enough for it to win the hour, ouch. Fox started it off with a new Raising Hope at 8pm doing 4.1 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, which was on par in 18-49 from the previous week. Then week five of Ben & Kate followed doing only 2.99 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, but up two tenths in 18-49 from previous week. Still a horrible decision to quickly pick up six more episodes. At 9pm, New Girl was all-new and did 5.16 million and 2.7 18-49 rating, third in viewers among the 9p comedies but first in 18-49. The new comedy The Mindy Project was preempted for Fox's special X Factor episode that aired from 9:30-10:30pm and did only 5.71 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating. Should have just went with Mindy. The CW aired a new Hart of Dixie at 8pm and did 1.32 million and a 0.5 18-49 rating, which was down a tenth in 18-49 from the previous week. New series Emily Owens MD had its second episode at 9pm and did 1.11 million and a disappointing 0.3 18-49 rating, down two tenths from its series premiere. Not good.

Wednesday it was Fox with the win with game 1 of the World Series, but it was not big. First, CBS started the night off with week six of Survivor: Philippines at 10.23 million and a 2.8 18-49 rating, again on par in 18-49 from previous week. Veteran drama Criminal Minds followed at 9 with 11.61 million and a 3.1 18-49 rating, also again on par in 18-49 week-to-week. A new CSI at 10 did 9.95 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, up a tenth in 18-49 from previous week. ABC started off with its Comedy Wednesday comedy block with a new Halloween episode of The Middle doing 8.8 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, up a tenth from previous week again. Great episode again! At 8:30pm, The Neighbors was new at 8:30pm with its Halloween episode and did 6.96 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, up a tenth in 18-49 from previous week. It is doing decent, I think. At 9pm, Modern Family was all-new for Halloween as well and did 12.52 million and a very good 4.9 18-49 rating, up two tenths in 18-49 week-to-week. At 9:30, a new Halloween episode of Suburgatory posted 7.37 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating, down a tenth from its season premiere. The third episode of Nashville was next at 10pm, and it was outstanding, posting 6.54 million and 2.0 18-49 rating, on par in 18-49 from previous week. Not too bad, just a little higher and it will win the time period. Fox had to preempt The X Factor for Game 1 of the World Series that did 12.65 million and a 3.7 18-49 rating in primetime and 12.24 million and a 3.6 18-49 rating overall, that is below average. NBC opened the night with a new Animal Practice, which is awful by the way, dropping to 3.68 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating, but up a tenth in 18-49 from previous week's series low. It will be pulled after this week's episode. At 8:30pm, the news wasn't good either but a tad better with new comedy Guys with Kids doing only 3.84 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, on par in 18-49 from previous week one again. Law & Order: SVU was next at 9pm and did just 6.77 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, but up three tenths in 18-49 week-to-week. Week three of Chicago Fire followed at 10 and did 6.42 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating, up three tenths from the previous week, so it stopped the bleeding a bit. The CW had week three of Arrow and it did well with 3.51 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating, down two tenths in 18-49 from the previous week. Week four of Supernatural at 9pm followed and did 1.86 million and a 0.7 18-49 rating, but down three tenths in 18-49 from previous week for a season low. Wednesday are still looking solid for The CW!

Thursday it was Fox with a sneak by win because of the World Series. But first, ABC opened the night with week five of Last Resort doing 6.53 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, down four tenths in 18-49 from previous week, as it seems it was affected by World Series?. Grey's Anatomy was new at 9pm and did 8.76 million and a 3.0 18-49 rating, which is down four tenths from previous week...very strange. At 10pm, Scandal was all-new as well and did 6.11 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, up a tenth in 18-49 from previous week. Another very good episode! CBS opened with a new The Big Bang Theory at 15.82 million and a 5.0 A18-49 rating, up two tenths in 18-49 from previous week. Bested Modern Family by a tenth again this week for #1 comedy in 18-49. A new episode of Two and a Half Men followed with 12.94 million and a 3.7 18-49 rating, down three tenths in 18-49 from previous week's season high. Then Person of Interest was new at 9pm and did 14.03 million and a 2.9 18-49 rating, which was up a tenth in 18-49 week-to-week but still second to the ABC drama. At 10pm, a new Elementary posted 10.31 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, down a tenth week-to-week and could be better. Fox had to preempt The X Factor and Glee for MLB World Series Game #2 and posted 12.05 million and a 3.4 18-49 rating in primetime and 12.34 million and a 3.5 18-49 rating overall. NBC was still in the familiar fourth place with a new 30 Rock doing 3.13 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating only, on par in 18-49 from previous week's series low. A new Up All Night followed and did only 3.21 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, up a tenth in 18-49 week-to-week. Still not good at all. Then The Office was new at 9pm and did just 4.0 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, down two tenths in 18-49 from previous week and another series low. At 9:30pm Parks & Recreation did just 3.34 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, but up a tenth in 18-49 from previous week. At 10pm, Rock Center with Brian Williams posted 3.72 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating, up two tenths in 18-49 from previous as we still continue to wonder why is this still on the air. The CW's big gun Vampire Diaries had a new airing and did 2.87 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, on par in 18-49 from the previous week. New series Beauty & the Beast was next at 9pm and did 1.88 million and a 0.6 18-49 rating, which is down a tenth in 18-49 from previous week...disappointing.

Now, final numbers for Friday and Saturday are not available, but ABC took the top spot again on Friday. ABC won the 8pm hour with week seven of Shark Tank but down a tad from its series high the previous week, while CBS was very low with its dramas like CSI: NY at 9pm. NBC jumped to first at 9pm with Grimm, as ABC's WWYD was preempted, while CBS' Blue Bloods took 10pm. Fox was very low with Kitchen Nightmars & Fringe and NBC did OK with the busted pilot Mockingbird Lane at 8.
Saturday numbers had ABC win the night with College Football, as Fox's World Series was a close second. CBS and NBC's encores 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 again the top series on the night excluding NFL. ABC should be third tonight again. NBC will do well with the NFL with Saints and Broncos, which will win them the night and maybe 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. Fox preempts its animation block for MLB World Series Game #4, should be good for #2 for the night, though.

As for the week (week 5), CBS will win in HH, viewers but 18-49 is going to be a battle with NFL on Fox and NBC. Can Fox make the push for a win to dethrone NBC? Or will NBC make it five weeks in a row thanks to the NFL? For sure they will be first or second in 18-49, though. Fox will finish second likely in HH/viewers, followed by ABC and NBC. In 18-49, Fox and NBC will battle for first, then ABC should be third in 18-49, while CBS could be close by too. As for the coming week (week 6), look for more November sweep action, but the east cost could be affected by the hurricane Monday and Tuesday...so watch out for low ratings. End of the week has the season premiere of Last Man Standing on Friday at 8 followed by the series premiere of Malibu Country at 8:30pm on ABC, as Friday's #1 show Shark Tank moves to 9 to grow even more.

Week 5 How the Sitcoms Did

Last Sunday Sitcoms (counts for Week 4 -- Oct. 15-21)

The Simpsons (Fox) - preempted for MLB NLCS.
The Cleveland Show (Fox) - preempted for MLB NLCS.
Bob's Burgers (Fox) - preempted for MLB NLCS.
Family Guy (Fox) - preempted for MLB NLCS.
American Dad! (Fox) - preempted for MLB NLCS.

Monday Sitcoms

How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - preempted.
Partners (CBS) - preempted.
The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - A special Monday repeat at 8 did 7.72 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating. Amazing how it can just come in and repeat well anywhere.
2 Broke Girls (CBS) - A repeat at 8:30pm because of the final debate did 6.76 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, which is on par with a new Partners, ouch.
Mike & Molly (CBS) - preempted.

Tuesday Sitcoms

Raising Hope (Fox) - A new episode at 8pm did only 4.1 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. This is as good as this show will get, around a 1.7 or 1.8 rating among adults 18-49.
Ben & Kate (Fox) - Week five of this new comedy did just 2.99 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, but up two tenths in 18-49 from the previous week's series low...yet Fox still picked-up six more episodes. Very strange!
New Girl (Fox) - A new episode at 9 against two other comedies did 5.16 million (for third against the other comedies) but a solid 2.7 18-49 rating (beating the other two comedies).
Go On (NBC) - A new episode did 6.12 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, still losing to the competing Fox comedy despite the large lead-in from The Voice.
Happy Endings (ABC) - The season premiere posted 5.57 million, for second against the comedies but third with a 1.8 18-49 rating. Don't think the Dancing lead-in are the same viewers for this show, so it's not a good match.
The Mindy Project (Fox) - preempted.
The New Normal (NBC) - The battle of comedies continued, with a new episode of this posting just 4.33 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, tying the competing ABC comedy despite a better lead-in.
Don't Trust the B---- In Apartment 23 (ABC) - Season premiere posted only 4.2 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, but skewed very young, as the Dancing viewers were long gone.

Wednesday Sitcoms

The Middle (ABC) - Week five did 8.8 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, up a tenth from previous week again. Solid Halloween showing, and up once again.
Animal Practice (NBC) - Week five in the timeslot did only 3.68 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating, but up a tenth in 18-49 from previous week. It has one more airing left this week, as Nov. 7 it is not airing and Whitney takes over Nov. 14. That show is not much better.
The Neighbors (ABC) - Week five of this new series at 8:30pm did 6.96 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, up a tenth in 18-49 week-to-week. It continues to consistent in this slot. Could be better, but everyone expected much worse. And it's turning out to be a decent show.
Guys with Kids (NBC) - Week five of this comedy in the timeslot did only 3.84 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating again, on par in 18-49 from previous week once again.Will Whitney help in a few weeks?
Modern Family (ABC) - A new episode at 9pm did 12.52 million and a 4.9 18-49 rating, which was up two tenths from the previous week. It has been an outstanding season so far in quality. No doubt it will continue to win Emmy's. Very deserving.
Suburgatory (ABC) - The Halloween episode at 9:30 did 7.37 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating, down a tenth in 18-49 week-to-week. Its lead-in is heavily DVRed for same day, so the retention is better than it seems, but it is hard for any show to follow Modern Family because of that.

Thursday Sitcoms

The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - Week five did 15.82 million and a 5.0 18-49 rating, up two tenths in 18-49 from the previous week, like Modern. #1 sitcom of the week for the second straight week, just getting by Modern Family by a tenth.
Two and a Half Men (CBS) - Week five of this comedy did 12.94 million and a 3.7 18-49 rating, down three tenths in 18-49 from the previous week's season high. Solid!
30 Rock (NBC) - A new episode aired at 8pm and did just 3.13 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating, on par in 18-49 from previous week's series low. Terrible and NBC is probably glad this is the last season.
Up All Night (NBC) - A new episode did only 3.21 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, actually up a tenth in 18-49 from the previous week. Could by this show more time and Community will likely not come in until January. But still terrible!
The Office (NBC) - A new airing did only 4.0 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, down two tenths from previous week and another series low in 18-49. Season 9 was a mistake.
Parks & Recreation (NBC) - A new episode at 9:30 followed with 3.34 million and just a 1.7 18-49 rating, up a tenth in 18-49 from previous week...and yes The Neighbors still does better! In fact that show did higher than any of these NBC comedies. Must Not See Thursday.

Friday Sitcoms

Last Man Standing (ABC) - Season premiere this Friday at 8!
Malibu Country (ABC) - Series premiere this Friday ta 8:30!

Saturday Sitcoms

None

Airing tonight (Sunday) are no comedies again, as Fox's animated comedies are preempted for MLB World Series Game #4.

Summing it up. Modern Family, The Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men, New Girl, The Middle, Surburgatory were impressive for the week. Everything else was OK (such as The Neighbors, Happy Endings) or just plain old terrible (such as Animal Practice, Ben & Kate, The Office, 30 Rock).

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Sunday, October 6

The Simpsons - "The Yellow Lotus" (Fox, 7:00PM ET/PT)
The Simpsons encounter death on vacation at a high-end resort.

Bob's Burgers - "Bully-ieve It or Not" (Fox, 7:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
The Belcher kids learn a secret about Zeke's past; Bob rekindles his feud with Jimmy Pesto.

The Simpsons - "The Yellow Lotus" (Fox, 8:00PM ET/PT)
The Simpsons encounter death on vacation at a high-end resort.

Universal Basic Guys - "Jaws of Life" (Fox, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Jealous of the attention Tammy gets for saving the life of a choking stranger, Mark buys a Jaws of Life to efficiently save lives; Tammy's life is threatened when she rejects the advances of Paul, the stranger she saved.

Bob's Burgers - "Saving Favorite Drive-In" (Fox, 9:00PM ET/PT)
When the Belchers visit the local drive-in, Bob comes up with a plan to save the theater from closing; Linda accidentally insults another mom while on a group text chain; Louise and Gene hide from Tina after stealing some of her favorite candy.

Krapopolis - "Thor" (Fox, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Tyrannis' little hunting mishap brings the Norse gods to Olympus; the family is forced to deal with the hunky Thor, the mischievous Loki, and some nasty bridge trolls.

The Conners - "Double Honeymoon and Seeing Double" (The CW, 7:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
In an effort to save money, newlyweds Darlene and Ben, and Jackie and Neville head off on their joint honeymoon, where their cost-saving measures contribute to a tension-filled getaway.

The Conners - "Gas Pump, House Dump and Stew Volcano" (The CW, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Darlene searches for a home that she and Becky can afford; after an attempt to boost business at the diner goes awry, Jackie finds herself apologizing to Ben and rethinking her future running the place.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of September 30)

Friday, October 4

Halle Berry (Living Dolls) - Watch Halle on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Will Ferrell (The Office) - Will and Harper Steele (Will & Harper) are guests on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Kristen Bell (Nobody Wants This/Central Park/The Good Place) - Kristen appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Tien Tran (How I Met Your Father) - Tien is a guest on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
Sarah Paulson (Leap of Faith) - Sarah can be heard on The Morning Mash Up on SiriusXM.
George Lopez (Lopez vs Lopez/Lopez/Saint George/George Lopez) and Mayan Lopez (Lopez vs Lopez) - NBC's Today catches up with George and Mayan in the 10am hour.
Paul Scheer (Black Monday/Fresh Off the Boat/The League) - Paul is telling Drew all about his new memoir and answering questions from his wife June Diane Raphael on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Niecy Nash-Betts (Reno 911!/Getting On/The Soul Man/Do Not Disturb) - Niecy talks about the highly-anticipated premiere of Grotesquerie on FX on Sherri, so check your local listings.
Deon Cole (grown-ish/Angie Tribeca/black-ish) - Deon sits down to chat about his new comedy special and touring with Martin Lawrence on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
Nathan Lane (Only Murders in the Building/Modern Family/Charlie Lawrence/Encore! Encore!/One of the Boys) - Nathan chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Yvette Nicole Brown (Act Your Age/The Odd Couple/Community/The Big House) - Yvette guest co-hosts The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
John Stamos (UnPrisoned/Fuller House/Grandfathered/Jake in Progress/Full House/You, Again?) - John talks about his memoir If You Would Have Told Me on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
Victoria Justice (Victorious/Zoey 101/) - Victoria discusses her film Depravity on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT and on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
Paul Reiser (Mad About You/Red Oaks/Married/My Two Dads) - Paul is a guest on New York Living on WPIX in New York at 10:15am.