Ratings Review: FOX Tuesdays - First 5 Weeks

For a third consecutive fall, FOX is scheduling Sitcoms on Tuesday nights. This could be an classic case of insanity. The network is expecting different results by doing the same thing over and over again.

Initially, DADS and BROOKLYN NINE-NINE look to be the answer for FOX. The premiere numbers were well above the previous fall's premieres of BEN & KATE and RAISING HOPE, but reality quickly set in and ratings returned to "normal" levels.


DADS is just a bad sitcom. I can say that because I watched the last episode, on October 15th. It reminded me of some of the bad sitcoms from the early days of FOX or The WB. And the ratings do reflect the poor quality. The only reason for a rise in the numbers on the 15th, was that the ALCS, Game #3, was the lead in to the episode. Additional scripts have been ordered, but I bet when FOX see's the scripts, they will cut DADS loose and bring another comedy into the time slot.

BROOKLYN NINE-NINE is the stronger of the two new sitcoms and does have a potential of making headway where other recent sitcoms have not. It's only weakness is the lead in. It keeps up with NEW GIRL in total viewers and always increased the ratings from DADS. The series was picked up for the remainder of the season and, will be paired with NEW GIRL as the post-Super Bowl programs.

NEW GIRL really has not recovered, fully, from last year, when it had horrible lead in support. It does, however, still draw a loyal, young viewership. It's DVR ratings are really strong as the most recent LIVE+7 ratings show a near 100% increase in the A18-49 ratings. The age group that watched NEW GIRL is the demographic viewers that watch most, if not all entertainment via online outlets. If FOX can find a way to monazite that trend, then the delayed viewing ratings are more than acceptable.

Even with DADS in the line up, THE MINDY PROJECT is the weak link of the night. It continues to repel viewers and lose big chunks of its lead in audience. Why FOX even brought the series back for a second season mystifies me, and they will probably do it a gain by keeping the series on for the entire year. If anything, this series need to move to Fridays and be paired with RAISING HOPE as burn off programming.

LIVE + SD Ratings

Series	Category	09/17	09/24	10/01	10/08	10/15	AVG
DADS	Viewers*	5.76	3.65	3.40	3.10	3.42	3.87
	A18-49	2.2	1.5	1.3	1.3	1.5	1.6
Brooklyn Nine-Nine	Viewers*	6.17	4.03	3.43	3.34	3.43	4.08
	A18-49	2.6	1.8	1.4	1.5	1.5	1.8
New Girl	Viewers*	5.53	4.04	3.85	3.96	3.45	4.17
	A18-49	2.9	2.1	1.9	2.1	1.8	2.2
The Mindy Project	Viewers*	3.83	2.94	2.86	2.89	2.73	3.05
	A18-49	1.9	1.5	1.5	1.4	1.4	1.5

* - in millions