Ratings: Broadcast Finals for January 22, 2013

It was the beginning and the end on ABC. New reality food series THE TASTE series premiere pulled in 5.8 million viewers and a 2.1 demo rating, which was enough to win its two hours in the A18-49 ratings and finish second, to CBS, in total viewers. It was a dramatic improvement of recent comedy encores and the sophomore sitcoms HAPPY ENDINGS and APT. 23. The real test for THE TASTE will come when NCIS airs an original episode against it.

Ending on ABC was PRIVATE PRACTICE. Ratings have been in the basement all seasons, but the 5.22 million viewers and 1.5 demo rating are its best numbers since early October. The 5.5 year old series aired 111 episodes over its six seasons.

PARENTHOOD aired its season finale and generated  4.9 million viewers and a 1.8 demo rating. Considering its recent surge in the ratings, it was down 11% in the demo from the previous two weeks and a loss of 500,00 viewers over the last three weeks. Not exactly a way to end the season, but is should see a NEXT season.

Also ending, but was not scheduled to be, was BEN AND KATE. The day after this last airing, FOX announced that the series would be pulled immediately and remaining episodes would be aired at a later date. Its not a surprise that the series was finally pulled. it had not drawn over 3 million viewers since October.

Rounding up the numbers, ABC took the night in the A18-49 ratings with a 1.9 rating and placed second in total viewers with 5.7 million viewers. CBS won the night in viewership with an average of 10.6 million viewers, but finished fourth with a 1.5 demo rating. FOX posted 3.4 million viewers and a 1.7 demo rating for the night, while NBC finished with a 1.6 demo rating, but had more viewers with a 4.8 million average. The CW averaged 1.4 million viewers and a 0.5 demo rating.

Time	Net	Program	Viewers*	Demo	+/-
8:00	ABC	The Taste	5.820	2.1
10:00	ABC	Private Practice	5.320	1.5	-8.6%
8:00	CBS	NCIS [R]	12.860	1.7
9:00	CBS	NCIS: LA [R]	11.930	1.7	-7.2%
10:00	CBS	Vegas [R]	6.940	1.0	-41.8%
8:00	CW	Hart of Dixie	1.450	0.6
9:00	CW	Emily Owens M.D.	1.360	0.4	-9.7%
8:00	FOX	Rasing Hope	4.000	1.7
8:30	FOX	Ben & Kate	2.530	1.2	-34.8%
9:00	FOX	New Girl	4.050	2.2	53.4%
9:30	FOX	The Mindy Project	3.050	1.5	-26.2%
8:00	NBC	Off Their Rockers	5.910	1.6
8:30	NBC	Off Their Rockers	5.910	1.8	0.0%
9:00	NBC	Go On	3.970	1.3	-33.2%
9:30	NBC	The New Normal	3.280	1.2	-17.8%
10:00	NBC	Parenthood	4.870	1.8	48.5%

* - in millions