Week 23 TV Ratings and Analysis; How the Sitcoms Did

Sunday, March 03, 2013

Week 23 TV Ratings and Analysis; How the Sitcoms Did

2012-13 Week 23 TV Ratings (first four nights, Mon-Thu):

Households: #1. CBS 6.9 rating/10.9 share; #2. Fox 5.8/8.9; #3. ABC 4.3/6.8; #4. NBC 2.7/4.3; #5. The CW 0.9/1.4
Total Viewers: #1. CBS 10.74 million; #2. Fox 9.52 million; #3. ABC 6.54 million; #4. NBC 4.09 million; #5. The CW 1.36 million.
Adults 18-49: #1. Fox 3.0 rating/8.3 share; #2. CBS 2.4/6.7; #3. ABC 1.9/5.2; #4. NBC 1.4/3.8; #5. The CW 0.5/1.4

Week 23 (Feb. 25-March 3) Analysis: February sweeps is already over after Wednesday, so now repeats are more common and started on Thursday. Through the first four nights, CBS has the lead in HH/total viewers, while Fox is on top in adults 18-49, like previous week. CBS is in second place in 18-49, followed by ABC, then NBC is a very distant fourth. Fox is second in HH/viewers, followed by ABC. Then NBC is a distant fourth and it continues to be a long winter for them. It's basically similar to previous week, until ABC's Oscars propelled them to win week 22. When the week is done, Fox will hang on and take the week in 18-49. More on that later. As for last week, week 22, ABC took home first in adults 18-49 thanks to a big performance by The Oscars (13.0/31 18-49 rating/share). Fox was a distant second, while CBS was only a tenth behind Fox. NBC was way back there once again. Among total viewers, it was of course ABC on top easily over CBS and Fox. And NBC was way back behind in fourth.

Monday saw ABC outright take the night over declining CBS. Starting with ABC, a two-hour The Bachelor from 8-10pm did 9.23 million and a 2.9 18-49 rating, which is down just a tenth in 18-49 from previous week's season high. The Women Tell All special is tomorrow night then the finale next Monday. At 10pm, Castle was new with the conclusion of the big 2-part episode and did 10.77 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, on par in 18-49 with previous week's season high. For NBC, they had a two-hour The Biggest Loser from 8-10pm doing 5.75 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, which is again up a tenth in 18-49 from previous week. It's done OK, nothing special. At 10pm, week eight of new drama dud Deception didn't do much with 3.28 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating, which was again on par in 18-49 with previous week. CBS was all-new with its comedies, as a new How I Met Your Mother did 8.59 million and a 3.3 18-49 rating, which was down a tenth in 18-49 from previous week. A new Rules of Engagement at 8:30pm did 7.89 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating, which is solid but down two tenths in 18-49 from previous week. At 9pm, a new 2 Broke Girls followed with 10.41 million and a 3.3 18-49 rating, down two tenths in 18-49 from previous week and not nearly as strong as a CBS Monday anchor should be...it couldn't even top the block. Next, a new Mike & Molly did 9.79 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating, down an alarming five tenths in 18-49 week-to-week. A repeat of Hawaii Five-0 at 10pm did 6.48 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, as if you recall, CBS wasted an episode after the AFC Championship Game in late January. Fox aired an all-new episode of Bones at 8 and it did 8.77 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, which was up a tenth in 18-49 from previous week. At 9pm, week six (already?) of new drama The Following at 9pm did 8.58 million and a 2.8 18-49 rating, which was down a tenth in 18-49 from previous week. It'll be definitely back next season. The CW aired week seven of The Carrie Diaries at 8 and did 1.00 million and a 0.4 18-49 rating, which is on par in 18-49 with previous week's series low. At 9, 90210 was new and did only 0.58 million and a 0.3 18-49 rating, up a tenth from previous week's series low. The show has been canceled and will end in May.

On Tuesday, it was CBS with the win as they beat second place ABC by a good margin again. On CBS, NCIS was new and did 20.69 million and a 3.4 18-49 rating, which is down a tenth in 18-49 from previous week. At 9pm, a new NCIS: Los Angeles did 17.02 million and a 2.9 18-49 rating, up two tenths in 18-49 from previous week. At 10pm, the struggling Vegas was preempted for the series premiere of Golden Boy that did did 10.56 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating, only up three tenths in 18-49 from previous week's Vegas episode. Not a good start. Onto ABC, at 8pm the season premiere of Celebrity Wife Swap did very well with 7.05 million and a 2.4 18-48 rating, much better than The Taste in this slot, as that series moved to 9pm and did 4.11 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, down two tenths in 18-49 from previous week when it was at 8pm. The conclusion of the two-part season premiere of Body of Proof aired at 10pm and did 6.37 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating, which was on par in 18-49 with previous week. I think it will be better once compatible Dancing comes as a lead-in. NBC aired Betty White's Off Their Rockers from 8-9pm as the first half-hour did 4.51 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, which was on par in 18-49 with previous week. Another new episode followed at 8:30pm and did 4.35 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, down a tenth in 18-49 from previous week. At 9pm, Go On was all-new but NBC wishes it wasn't airing as it only did 3.17 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating, on par in 18-49 with previous week's series low. At 9:30pm, it was more bad news as The New Normal did a horrible 2.62 million and a 1.0 18-49 rating, but actually up a tenth in 18-49 week-to-week. At 10pm, it was just as bad with a new Smash doing 3.04 million and an embarrassing 0.9 18-49 rating, but on par in 18-49 with previous week. I bet they wished they had more Parenthood episodes now right? Fox aired comedies as a new Raising Hope at 8pm did 3.53 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, which is a bit below what it could do but on par in 18-49 with previous week. A second all-new episode followed at a special time of 8:30pm doing 3.12 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, as this series just isn't catching on. A new episode of New Girl followed at 9pm and did a below normal 4.29 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, but up a tenth in 18-49 from previous week. At 9:30pm was a new episode of The Mindy Project that did an uneventful 3.26 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, also up a tenth in 18-49 from previous week. The CW aired a new Hart of Dixie and did just 1.38 million and a 0.6 18-49 rating, up a tenth in 18-49 from previous week. New series Cult aired at 9 and was ignored with just 0.82 million and a 0.3 18-49 rating, ouch but on par in 18-49 with previous week's series premiere!

Wednesday of course means American Idol and it took the night of course since its two-hours every week and Fox only programs 2 hours a night. But first, CBS started the night off with a new Survivor: Caramoan at 8 doing 9.17 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, which is up two tenths in 18-49 from previous week for a season high. Criminal Minds was new at 9 and did 10.33 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, which is on par in 18-49 with previous week and still below normal. At 10pm, a new CSI did 9.44 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, back down four tenths in 18-49 from previous week, and not first in its slot, ouch. ABC kicked off the night with a new The Middle doing 7.97 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, which is down two tenths in 18-49 from previous week. At 8:30pm a new episode of The Neighbors did 6.01 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, down two tenths in 18-49 from previous week. At 9pm, a new Modern Family did the best of the block with 10.53 million and a 3.9 18-49 rating, which was down a tenth in 18-49 from previous week. VERY good episode. Suburgatory followed at 9:30pm with a new episode doing 6.12 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, up two tenths in 18-49 from previous week. At 10pm, Nashville was new and did a below normal 5.2 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, bit three tenths better in 18-49 than previous week's A Special Edition of 20/20: Mad About OSCAR with Katie Couric special. This show will be back next season because it is so well done. On Fox, a two-hour American Idol did a solid 13.3 million and a 3.9 18-49 rating, but down two more tenths in 18-49 from previous week as it keeps going down each week. Onto NBC a new episode of Whitney started it off at 8pm with 3.41 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating, up a tenth in 18-49 from previous week. At 8:30pm, the season finale of Guys with Kids did 3.03 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating, also up a tenth in 18-49 from previous week's series low. Law & Order: SVU followed at 9pm with a new airing as well that did only 5.44 million and only a 1.6 18-49 rating, on par in 18-49 with previous week. This show is dead. At 10pm, a new Chicago Fire did 6.62 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, which is solid and up a tenth in 18-49 from previous week, taking the hour by a tenth. It's not a hit, but it's consistent and doing well enough for NBC. One of the bright spots this winter. Sad when it barely does a 2. The CW aired a new airing of its new hit Arrow and did 3.17 million and a 1.0 18-49 rating, up a tenth from previous week in 18-49. At 9pm, a new Supernatural did 2.13 million and a 0.9 18-49 rating, on par in 18-49 week-to-week.

On Thursday, February sweeps is over and saw Fox with the win thanks to an expanded Idol and repeats on CBS and ABC. Starting with ABC, week three of Zero Hour did 5.05 million and a 1.0 18-49 rating, down a tenth in 18-49 from the previous week. Not really a good show either and it has been pulled effective immediately, as Shark Tank repeats will air the next two weeks. At 9pm, Grey's Anatomy was preempted for a special Scandal 9pm repeat doing 3.35 million and a 0.9 18-49 rating. At 10pm, ABC aired an encore of the very fun Jimmy Kimmel Live: After the Oscars special doing 2.73 million and a 0.8 18-49 rating. Are you channing all over your tatum? CBS had a night of repeats and opened with a repeat of The Big Bang Theory doing 10.69 million and a 2.8 18-49 rating, which is great for a repeat. A repeat of Two and a Half Men was up next and benefited with 8.26 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating. At 9pm, a repeat of older-skewing Person of Interest followed with 9.52 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating. At 10pm, a repeat of freshman Elementary closed the night with 7.8 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, it will be back next season but I still think it was a waste to air it following the Super Bowl, as it has gotten no bump. Fox had a two-hour American Idol from 8-10 that did 12.56 million and a 3.8 18-49 rating, which was down a tenth in 18-49 from previous week. Glee was preempted again. NBC aired a mix of new and repeat episodes of its comedies, as week four of Community did just 2.83 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating, but up a tenth in 18-49 from previous week and still skewed young. Parks & Recreation was a repeat at 8:30pm and did 2.18 million and a 0.9 18-49 rating. A repeat of The Office was next and did only 2.21 million and a 1.0 18-49 rating. At 9:30m a new 1600 Penn, which is doing horrible, did only 2.2 million and a 0.9 18-49 rating, down a tenth in 18-49 from previous week's series low. When will they pull this show? At 10pm, NBC had a repeat of Law & Order: SVU doing 3.89 million and a 0.9 18-49 rating, as that was back down two tenths in 18-49 from previous week. The CW's big gun Vampire Diaries aired at 8 but was a repeat and did 1.05 million and a 0.4 18-49 rating. At 9, Beauty and the Beast was also a repeat and did 0.77 million and a 0.3 18-49 rating.

Now, final numbers for Friday and Saturday are not available, as ABC took Friday in 18-49 again. CBS was in repeat mode with Undercover Boss at 8, so it had to settle for fourth place. Kitchen Nightmares was tied for second for Fox as ABC's Last Man Standing and Malibu Country took the hour and NBC's Dateline was tied with Fox. ABC was still in first at 9pm by a lot with a new Shark Tank easily beating the Dateline on NBC. But Rock Center was last place at 10pm again for NBC, tying a repeat of CBS' Blue Bloods. ABC 20/20 won 10pm easily. Fox again struggled badly with Touch at 9.
Saturday had Fox win on a very slow night. Fox took the 8pm hour with Cops, but struggled at 9 with a repeat of The Following, while CBS took 10pm with 48 Hours. ABC premiered 20/20 Saturday from 9-11pm and did low but won at 9pm. NBC settled for repeats of American Ninja Warrior, Chicago Fire and SNL which all struggled. ABC aired a repeat of the previous Once Upon a Time episode at 8pm to promote tonight's episode.

Tonight ABC Sunday is all-new with AFV, Once Upon a Time and the two-hour premiere of Red Widow, as Revenge returns next week. I think it will be a first place finish for ABC, but it depends on the two-hour series premiere. NBC devotes the night to four repeats of Betty White's Off Their Rockers from 7-9pm and then the two-hour Celebrity Apprentice: All-Stars premiere from 9-11pm, as NBC will likely finish third place (but decent from 9-11pm). CBS has 60 Minutes at 7, followed by a new Amazing Race, the new episodes of struggling The Good Wife & The Mentalist from 9-11pm. I'm thinking a fourth finish for CBS in 18-49. Fox's animation block is all new from 7:30-10pm (except at 9pm) and should be second (or first, if ABC's premiere tanks badly) place in 18-49.

As for the week (week 23), Fox will hang on and take the week in 18-49. CBS will be second, and ABC will be third in 18-49. NBC will be way behind and in fourth. For total viewers, it should be CBS on top here, then I think ABC over Fox for second, and NBC in a distant fourth. As for the coming week (week 24), Fox has a three night/5.5-hour American Idol event beginning Tuesday. On Friday, NBC has the season premiere of Fashion Star at 8pm but it will likely not do well, followed by the return of Grimm. Lots of mix of new episodes and repeats for most shows, so be on the look out.

Week 23 How the Sitcoms Did

Last Sunday Sitcoms (counts for Week 22 -- Feb. 18-24)

The Simpsons (Fox) - A repeat at 8 did 3.44 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, opposite the Oscars pre-show in most time zones.
The Cleveland Show (Fox) 2 airings - A repeat at its normal time of 7:30pm did only 2.61 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating, but that was up a tenth in 18-49 from previous week when it was new, ouch. A special repeat at 8:30pm did 2.89 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating.
Bob's Burgers (Fox) - The normal 8:30 airing was preempted, but a 7pm repeat did 2.32 million and 1.0 18-49 rating.
Family Guy (Fox) - A repeat at 9 did 3.14 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, not the best of the block this time.
American Dad! (Fox) - A 9:30pm repeat did 2.74 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating.

Monday Sitcoms

How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - A new episode at 8 did 8.59 million and a 3.3 18-49 rating, which was down a tenth in 18-49 from previous week. Solid and actually tied for the best of the block.
Rules of Engagement (CBS) - Week four at 8:30pm did 7.89 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating, solid but down two tenths in 18-49 from the previous week.
2 Broke Girls (CBS) - A new episode at 9 did 10.41 million and a 3.3 18-49 rating, as it was down two tenths in 18-49 from previous week. This has been one of the disappointments of the season, I think, as it didn't even top the CBS block.
Mike & Molly (CBS) - A new episode at 9:30pm did 9.79 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating, which is solid but down a big five tenths in 18-49 from previous week. Very strange.

Tuesday Sitcoms

Raising Hope (Fox) 2 episodes - A new episode at 8 pulled 3.53 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, which could be better but on par in 18-49 with previous week. A second new episode followed with 3.12 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, so lower than the previous episode.
New Girl (Fox) - A new episode at 9 did 4.29 million and a below normal 2.3 18-49 rating, but up a tenth in 18-49 from previous week.
Go On (NBC) - A new episode did a series tying low 3.17 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating, as this series has completely tanked.
The Mindy Project (Fox) - A new airing at 9:30pm did 3.26 and a 1.7 18-49 rating, up a tenth in 18-49 week-to-week but this is about what it has done all season.
The New Normal (NBC) - A new episode at 9:30pm was clobbered with just 2.62 million and a 1.0 18-49 rating, up a tenth in 18-49 from previous week but I don't think this comedy will be back next season.

Wednesday Sitcoms

The Middle (ABC) - A new episode at 8 did 7.97 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, which is good but down two tenths in 18-49 from previous week. Great episode, too.
Whitney (NBC) - A new episode at 8 did 3.41 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating, which is up a tenth in 18-49 from previous week. This show isn't worth bringing back anymore. No point.
The Neighbors (ABC) - A new showing of this new comedy did 6.01 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, down two tenths in 18-49 from previous week. I think it WILL be back next season folks, whether it's here or on Friday. It's doing well creatively, too.
Guys with Kids (NBC) - At 8:30pm, a new episode of this series did 3.03 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating, which is terrible but up a tenth in 18-49 from previous week's series low. It was a good finale, but will it be back next season? I'd take this over Whitney.
Modern Family (ABC) - A new episode at 9 did 10.53 million and a 3.9 18-49 rating, #1 for the block as usual but down a tenth in 18-49 from previous week. Loved this episode so much!
Suburgatory (ABC) - A new episode at 9:30pm did 6.12 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, which is up two tenths in 18-49 from previous week. Such a good show but might be better suited for 8:30 next season (or even Friday).

Thursday Sitcoms

The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - February sweeps is over, so repeats galore for a bit. At 8pm, a repeat did 10.69 million and a 2.8 18-49 rating, which is excellent for a repeat. About 1/2 of what it does in new episodes.
Two and a Half Men (CBS) - A repeat did 8.26 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, which is decent for a repeat and the lead-in certainly helped.
Community (NBC) - Week four did not do well doing 2.83 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating, which is up a tenth in 18-49 from previous week. It needs to do better if it wants another season on NBC. Hello TBS or Comedy Central next season?
Parks & Recreation (NBC) - A repeat at 8:30pm did 2.18 million and a 0.9 18-49 rating, not good.
The Office (NBC) - A repeat at 9 did 2.21 million and a 1.0 18-49 rating.
1600 Penn (NBC) - A new episode at 9:30pm did only 2.2 million and a 0.9 18-49 rating, for another series low as it was down a tenth in 18-49 from the previous week.

Friday Sitcoms

Last Man Standing (ABC) - A new episode did a prelim 7.07 million and a prelim 1.6 18-49 rating, which was up three tenths in 18-49 from previous week's preliminaries. Great episode and showing!
Malibu Country (ABC) - A new airing of this new comedy did a prelim 6.14 million and a prelim 1.4 18-49 rating, also up three tenths in 18-49 from previous week's prelim ratings.

Saturday Sitcoms

None.

Airing tonight (Sunday) are a mix of new and repeat episodes of Fox Animation Domination comedies from 7-10pm.

Summing it up. Modern Family, How I Met Your Mother, 2 Broke Girls, The Big Bang Theory, Mike & Molly, Rules of Engagement, Two and a Half Men were impressive for the week. Everything else was OK (such as The Neighbors, New Girl) or just plain terrible (such as all the comedies on NBC like The New Normal, Go On, 1600 Penn).

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Wednesday, October 23

Abbott Elementary - "Class Pet" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Janine gets a budget for class pets, but Melissa is resistant to taking on the added work and responsibility for her room’s guinea pig. An IT rep from the school district arrives to set up new computers.

Everybody Still Hates Chris - "Everybody Still Hates Bullies" (Comedy Central, 10:00PM ET/PT)
Chris gets a gig DJ-ing at a drag ball and develops drag queen eyes.

Everybody Still Hates Chris - "Everybody Still Hates Career Tests" (Comedy Central, 10:30PM ET/PT)
Chris and Greg tape over a porno rented from Caruso and must replace it.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of October 21)

Wednesday, October 23

Billy Crystal (The Comedians/Soap) - Watch Billy on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Anna Kendrick (Love Life) - Anna appears on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Matty Matheson (The Bear) - Matty stops by The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Bernadette Peters (High Desert/Mozart in the Jungle/All's Fair) - Bernadette is a guest on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Olivia Munn (Perfect Couples) - NBC's Today catches up with Olivia some time between 7-9am.
Bridget Everett (Somebody Somewhere) - Bridget talks about Somebody Somewhere on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
David Henrie (Wizards Beyond Waverly Place/Wizards of Waverly Place/How I Met Your Mother/The Pitts) - David discusses Wizards Beyond Waverly Place on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your listings. One or two Wizards Beyond Waverly Place cast members will be on New York Living at 10:05am.
Judith Light (Who's the Boss?/Phenom/Transparent) - Judith talks about Before on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
Billy Crystal (The Comedians/Soap) - Billy chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Mariska Hargitay (Can't Hurry Love) - Mariska talks about the greatest thing sheâ€™s learned since turning 60 on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Dexter Darden (Saved by the Bell) - Dexter talks about Peacock's Fight Night; The Million Dollar Heist on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
Essence Atkins (Poppa's House/Marlon/Mr. Box Office/Are We There Yet?/Half & Half/Smart Guy/Under One Roof) - Essence talks about Poppa's House on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.