Week 34 TV Ratings and Analysis; How the Sitcoms Did

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Week 34 TV Ratings and Analysis; How the Sitcoms Did

2012-13 Week 34 TV Ratings (first four nights, Mon-Thu):

Households: #1. CBS 6.3/10.3 (rating/share); #2. ABC 5.7/9.3; #3. Fox 5.0/8.0; #4. NBC 4.4/7.1; #5. The CW 0.9/1.5
Total Viewers: #1. CBS 9.95 million; #2. ABC 8.68 million; #3. Fox 8.15 million; #4. NBC 6.95 million; #5. The CW 1.43 million.
Adults 18-49: #1. Fox 2.5/7.4 (rating/share); #2. CBS 2.4/6.9; #3. NBC 2.3/6.8; #4. ABC 2.0/5.9; #.5 The CW 0.6/1.7

Week 34 (May 13-19) Analysis: And now we just have one more week left. Through the final first four night network averages, CBS is in first in HH/total viewers and it is photo finish so far in adults 18-49, with Fox having the slight edge. CBS is a very close second and NBC is immediately right behind them. ABC is fourth and a bit further away, but still close enough to make a run, especially with the Billboard Music Awards tonight. In HH/viewers, CBS has the lead over ABC, with Fox above normal and in third, beating NBC. When the week is done, it's anyone's game in 18-49. I'm thinking Fox will take it and ABC will make it close, especially with a good night tonight. CBS will take total viewers for sure and the others will likely remain in the same position as they are right now through the first four nights. More on that later. As for the previous week, week 33, CBS took home first in adults 18-49 with a 2.02 rating, compared to a 1.86 for second place ABC. Rounding it out was NBC close behind with a 1.80 and Fox in fourth with a 1.71. Among total viewers, it was of course CBS on top easily over second place ABC. NBC was third here as well, while Fox had to settle for fourth in this as well.

Monday had NBC win once again but CBS stepped it up a bit with some finales. But first, ABC started with a two-hour Dancing with the Stars from 8-10pm and did 13.33 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, which is on par really in 18-49 with previous week. Then Castle had its season finale at 10 and did 11.16 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, up a tenth in 18-49 week-to-week and good for a first place finish once again. For NBC, they had the two-hour The Voice from 8-10pm that did 11.29 million and a 3.8 18-49 rating, which is down three tenths in 18-49 from previous week for another Monday season low. It should spike up tomorrow again with lesser competition. At 10pm, NBC aired Revolution and did 5.51 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, down a tenth in 18-49 from previous week, as this series will be on the move to Wednesdays next season and I don't think it will be pretty. CBS was all-new, with the season finale of How I Met Your Mother starting it off with 8.57 million and a 3.4 18-49 rating, which is up a big eight tenths in 18-49 week-to-week. Nice as it enters its final season next season. At 8:30pm, a repeat of The Big Bang Theory aired and did 7.55 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, expect more from this show in repeats but it did beat previous week's all-new Rules of Engagement by three tenths in 18-49. At 9, the season finale of Broke Girls did 8.94 million and a 3.0 18-49 rating, up three tenths in 18-49 from previous week, but still not the best of the block. Will it do better next season as the anchor? At 9:30pm, a new Mike & Molly did 8.31 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, up a tenth in 18-49 from previous week. This series will start next season on the bench but still has a 22-episode order. At 10pm, Hawaii Five-0 was new and did 7.86 million and just a 1.8 18-49 rating, down a tenth in 18-49 from previous week. Fox aired a special Hell's Kitchen at 8 and did 4.19 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating, solid for a special night. At 9pm, another new episode aired and did a similar 3.89 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating. Fox did way better than previous week when it faltered with a special and a repeat. The CW aired a 90210 Retrospective at 8 and did just 0.57 million and a 0.2 18-49 rating, which is a tenth lower in 18-49 from previous week's all-new episode of Oh Sit! Not good. At 9, 90210 had its series finale and did 0.51 million and a 0.2 18-49 rating, horrible and down a tenth in 18-49 from previous week. Not good at all and CW looks like made the right call.

On Tuesday, it was a tie between CBS and NBC in 18-49. On CBS, NCIS had its season finale at 8 and did 18.79 million and a 3.4 18-49 rating, which is up three tenths in 18-49 week-to-week. Still don't get why CBS airs the finale for this show a week earlier when repeats air the following week. At 9pm, the season finale of NCIS: Los Angeles did 13.52 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, up a tenth in 18-49. At 10pm, the finale of Golden Boy did a last place 6.91 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating, on par in 18-49 with previous week and it is canceled. On ABC, at 8pm a special night of Wipeout did 4.46 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating, up a tenth in 18-49 from previous week's Splash finale. At 9pm, Dancing with the Stars: The Results did 11.87 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating, up a tenth in 18-49 from previous week, as we said goodbye to Ingo. At 10pm, Body of Proof was all-new and did 8.6 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, on par in 18-49 with previous week. I think they should have brought it back next season for a mid-season option. NBC aired the Tuesday The Voice with a repeat this time starting it off at 8 and did 6.68 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating. At 9pm, it was all-new and did 10.47 million and a 3.5 18-49 rating, easily #1 in the time period but down about two tenths in 18-49 from previous week when it was two-hours. At 10pm, a new Grimm did 5.36 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, down another tenth in 18-49 from previous week. NBC will keep this show on Fridays next season. Fox started with the season premiere of So You Think You Can Dance at 8 and did 5.12 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, on par with previous week's Hell's Kitchen airing in the timeslot. At 9pm, New Girl had its season finale and did 4.07 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, which is on par in 18-49 with previous week, so no finale bump. At 9:30pm, the season finale of The Mindy Project did just 2.57 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, and again on par in 18-49 with previous week. The CW aired the movie Leap Year from 8-10pm and did 0.89 million and a 0.3 18-49 rating.

Wednesday it was Fox with the win with the first part of the American Idol finale but it was way down from last year. But first, CBS started the night off with two repeats of 2 Broke Girls at 8, with the first one doing 3.8 million and a 1.0 18-49 rating, while the second one did 3.91 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating. Criminal Minds was new at 9 and did 10.56 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, which was up a tenth in 18-49 from previous week. Look for the two-hour finale this Wednesday. At 10pm, CSI had its season finale and did 9.53 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, down two tenths in 18-49 from previous week. ABC kicked off the night with a new The Middle doing 6.76 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, which is up a tenth in 18-49 from previous week. Week three of Family Tools was next at 8:30pm and did just 4.54 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating, on par in 18-49 with previous week. Not good, but ABC already said it will not be back next season. At 9pm, a new Modern Family did the best of the block and the best of the night with 10.03 million and a 3.7 18-49 rating, up four tenths in 18-49 from previous week. Season finale is this Wednesday, look for our review of the brilliant episode at noon on Wednesday! The seventh episode of How To Live With Your Parents (For the Rest of Your Life) followed at 9:30pm with 6.14 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, on par in 18-49 with previous week. Still shocked, ABC will not bring it back next season. I think it deserved to return. At 10pm, Nashville was new and did 5.56 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, up a tenth in 18-49 from previous week. On Fox, part one of the American Idol was only an hour and did a solid 12.11 million and a 3.0 18-49 rating, up just a tenth in 18-49 from previous week when it was two-hours. At 9pm, a new So You Think You Can Dance aired and did 7.01 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, better than the previous night. Onto NBC a new Dateline started it off at 8pm with 5.79 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, which was of course way lower than previous week's The Voice in this slot. Law & Order: SVU followed at 9pm with a new episode that did 6.48 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, down four tenths in 18-49 from previous week. At 10pm, Chicago Fire was also new and did 6.9 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, which was up two tenths in 18-49 from previous week. It will be moving to Tuesdays next fall. The CW aired a new episode of its hit Arrow and did 2.77 million and a 0.9 18-49 rating, on par in 18-49 with previous week. At 9pm, a new Supernatural did 2.31 million and a 1.0 18-49 rating, as usual - solid and younger-skewing, and also on par in 18-49 with previous week.

On Thursday, it was Fox with the win with the Idol finale, but it was way down from last year. Starting with ABC, week two of Wipeout aired at 8 and did 3.81 million and a 1.0 18-49 rating, down three tenths in 18-49 from previous week's premiere. It will do better this week and beyond when the season is over. At 9pm, Grey's Anatomy had its season finale and did 8.99 million and a 3.1 18-49 rating, on par in 18-49 with previous week. Excellent opposite a lot of big events. At 10pm, ABC aired the season finale of TV's #1 show at 10pm Scandal doing 9.12 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating, on par in 18-49 with previous week's series high. It did better in the top 25 markets, doing a 3.8 18-49. Wow. It's the hottest drama on TV! CBS at 8pm had the hottest comedy on TV, The Big Bang Theory doing the best of course with its season finale doing 15.48 million and a 4.8 18-49 rating, but down a tenth in 18-49 week-to-week but still the #1 show of the week. A repeat followed at 8:30pm with 11.83 million and a 3.3 18-49 rating, which is only two tenths in 18-49 off from previous week's Men finale, wow. At 9, Elementary had its two-hour season finale and did 8.98 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, up a tenth in 18-49 from previous week when it aired at 10pm. Fox had the two-hour American Idol finale from 8-10:08pm and did 14.31 million and a 3.6 18-49 rating, which was up seven tenths in 18-49 from previous week but it was wayyyyyy down from last season's finale. NBC started the night with a retrospective on The Office and did 4.43 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, which is solid and better than the usual airings in the hour. The 75-minute series finale of The Office followed from 9-10:15pm and did 5.69 million and a 3.0 18-49 rating, which is up seven tenths in 18-49 from previous week one-hour airing. I guessed it would do a 3, and that's what it did. Not bad, but of course not its best performance. At 10:15pm, NBC aired week seven of new drama Hannibal doing just 2.46 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating, on par in 18-49 with previous week despite the larger lead-in. Still no decision on its return next season, at this point it shouldn't be back. The CW's big gun Vampire Diaries aired its season finale at 8 doing 2.24 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating, up a tenth in 18-49 from previous week. At 9, Beauty and the Beast had its season finale and did 1.26 million and a 0.5 18-49 rating, on par in 18-49 with previous week. It was picked-up for a second season, and is on the move to Mondays.

Now, final numbers for Friday and Saturday are not available, but we have prelim ratings. On Friday, ABC had the top show as usual and also took the night once again. At 8pm, Undercover Boss finale on CBS was way down from previous week as it lost to a special all-new Shark Tank on ABC. Dateline was next for NBC. Kitchen Nightmare was a repeat on Fox. At 9pm, Friday's #1 show had its season finale and of course that is ABC's Shark Tank and it crushed the competition. Dateline was a distant second for NBC, followed by a repeat of Undercover Boss on CBS and a repeat of Fox's Bones was way behind. At 10pm, 20/20 on ABC was far and away the best, while the now-canceled Rock Center with Brian Williams on NBC jumped to second as CBS settled for third with a special 48 Hours.
Saturday was low rated and Fox had the low-rated win with a marathon of repeats of Cops from 8-10. NBC had a repeat of Grimm at 8pm that was tied for second with ABC's Bet On Your Baby, beating CBS' Elementary repeat. At 9pm, a new 20/20 Saturday was second behind Fox beating repeats of SVU on NBC and Criminal Minds on CBS. At 10pm, a repeat of SNL at 10 grew from the lead-in but NBC was last place behind the second hour of ABC 20/20 and CBS' 48 Hours.

Tonight ABC Sunday is all-new from 7-11pm. The season finale of AFV kicks it off, followed by the Billboard Music Awards from 8-11. I think it will be a first place finish for ABC but Fox will make it close. NBC devotes the night to The Voice repeats from 7-9pm, which will struggle a bit then the season finale of Celebrity Apprentice: All-Stars from 9-11, which has struggled. NBC will likely finish in third or fourth. CBS has 60 Minutes at 7, followed by another episode leading into an ACM special from 9-11pm. It'll be an older skewing night for CBS, so a third or fourth place finish. Fox's animation block is all-new from 7-10pm with three one-hour finales, and could be enough for second for the night or even first.

As for the week (week 34), Fox might hang on to take the week in 18-49 over the rest I think because of the three one-hour finales tonight. I'm thinking, ABC will likely be in second in 18-49 thanks to the Awards tonight, but CBS and NBC will be close. For total viewers, CBS will remain first. ABC will be second over Fox, followed by NBC in a competitive fourth. As for the coming week (week 35), we are down to the final three days of the season as summer starts on Thursday. What a fast season!

Week 34 How the Sitcoms Did

Last Sunday Sitcoms (counts for Week 33 -- May 6-12)

The Simpsons (Fox) - A new episode at 8 did 4.16 million and a 1.98 18-49 rating, which is down a tenth in 18-49 from previous week.
The Cleveland Show (Fox) - A new episode at a special time of 7pm did 1.89 million and a 0.83 18-49 rating, while another new episode followed at its normal time of 7:30pm and did a below normal 2.26 million and a 1.04 18-49 rating.
Bob's Burgers (Fox) - A new showing at 8:30pm did 3.38 million and a 1.64 18-49 rating, down a tenth in 18-49 from previous week.
Family Guy (Fox) - A new showing at 9 did 4.82 million and a 2.43 18-49 rating, which was up two tenths in 18-49 week-to-week.
American Dad! (Fox) - A new episode at 9:30pm did 4.01 million and a 1.90 18-49 rating, which is back down a little less than three tenths in 18-49 from previous week when it spilled over into 10pm.

Monday Sitcoms

How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - The season finale averaged 8.57 million and a 3.4 18-49 rating, which is up a solid eight tenths in 18-49 week-to-week. Good finish to the season.
The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - A repeat did 7.55 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, which is lower than what it usually does in repeats but still higher than previous week's Rules, which was all-new.
2 Broke Girls (CBS) - A new episode did 8.94 million and a 3.0 18-49 rating, up three tenths in 18-49 from previous week. Good, but it was its season finale and Mother went up more.
Mike & Molly (CBS) - At 9:30pm, a new airing of this show did 8.31 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating - up a tenth in 18-49 week-to-week. It is more older skewing, so perhaps that is why it is being benched until mid-season for 2013-14.

Tuesday Sitcoms

New Girl (Fox) - The season finale did 4.07 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, which is on par in 18-49 week-to-week. The ratings weren't as good this season as its first season but the quality of episodes was higher.
The Mindy Project (Fox) - The season finale of this show did only 2.57 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, also on par in 18-49 week-to-week. And Fox is leaving it here next season, which I think is not the right decision.

Wednesday Sitcoms

The Middle (ABC) - A new episode posted 6.76 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, which is up a tenth in 18-49 from previous week. Should spike for the finale this Wednesday.
2 Broke Girls (CBS) 2 episodes - A repeat at 8pm did 3.8 million and a 1.0 18-49 rating, while a second repeat followed and built with 3.91 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating.
Family Tools (ABC) - The third episode did just 4.54 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating, but at least on par in 18-49 with previous week. It's been canned for next season but ABC is planning on airing all the episodes for this season thru June 26.
Modern Family (ABC) - A new airing at 9 did 10.03 million and a 3.7 18-49 rating, which is the best of the block and for the night and up four tenths in 18-49 from previous week. Look for our review of this week's season finale on Wednesday afternoon!
How To Live with Your Parents (For the Rest of Your Life) (ABC) - A new episode at 9:30pm did 6.14 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, on par in 18-49 with previous week. Still think it should have been brought back for mid-season at least.

Thursday Sitcoms

The Big Bang Theory (CBS) 2 airings - The season finale at 8pm posted 15.48 million and a 4.8 18-49 rating, which is excellent but down a tenth in 18-49 from previous week. Still, the top show of the week. A repeat followed at 8:30pm and did 11.83 million and a 3.3 18-49 rating, which is amazing.
The Office (NBC) - A special 75-minute series finale aired from 9-10:15pm and did 5.69 million and a 3.0 18-49 rating, up seven tenths in 18-49 from previous week's one-hour airing which was 9-10pm. Good showing but of course no where near what this show used to do. A special retrospective aired at 8pm and did 4.43 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating.

Friday Sitcoms

None.

Saturday Sitcoms

None.

Airing tonight (Sunday) are three one-hour season finales of Fox Animation Domination comedies from 7-10pm.

Summing it up. The Big Bang Theory, Modern Family, How I Met Your Mother, 2 Broke Girls, The Office were impressive for the week. Everything else was OK (such as New Girl, How To Live With Your Parents) or just plain terrible (such as The Mindy Project, Family Tools).

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.