Ratings Review: NBC Thursdays - November Sweeps

This may be one of the worst performing network line ups by a big four network. Not a single regular series episode could attract 5 million viewers and that threshold would have been at 4 million, had NBC not given the night a boots for two weeks with special programming.

The first of the two specials was a compilation special of SNL Halloween sketches, airing on Halloween, which drew 5.3 million viewers and a 1.7 rating in Adults 18-49. That is near twice the numbers a typical PARKS & REC episode would bring in.

The following week an encore of THE VOICE really invigorated the time slot and the night. The program it self collected 9.7 million viewers and a 2.5 demo rating. The three regular series posted their best ratings of the sweeps month after that special telecast.

PARKS & REC is such a bad ratings generator, NBC preempted the show for two weeks, and then cut their losses by doubling up the episodes the final two weeks of the sweeps. Once NBC gats enough episodes to satisfy syndication revenue, this series is gone.

The two freshmen comedies, SEAN SAVES THE WORLD and THE MICHAEL J FOX SHOW have basically been completely rejected by viewing audiences. MJF is down nearly 5 million viewers from its series premiere, two month ago and SSTW has dropped by at least 50%.  Even when these two sitcoms received a shot in the are with better lead in, during the first two weeks of the sweeps, it could not keep those new viewers when PARKS & REC returned as the lead in. NBC may let each series run its 22 episode order, but I seriously doubt either will be on the schedule come next fall.

PARENTHOOD, sadly, is the best NBC can do on the night. It is still a last place series that generated 1/3 of the audience CBS and ABC generate during the hour. It is consistent with its numbers, but those are too low to even be competitive. The only thing saving the series is that it is approaching syndication levels for NBC and it scores well with high income viewers.

It seems like forever since NBC was the dominate network on this night. Now, it is like visiting a ghost town. empty, devoid of life and only echos of what it once was.

Series	Category	Week 1	Week 2	Week 3	Week 4	AVG
Parks & Rec	Viewers*			3.03	2.81	2.92
	A18-49			1.1	1.0	1.1
Sean Saves The World	Viewers*	3.72	4.55	2.64	2.99	3.48
	A18-49	1.1	1.4	0.9	0.9	1.1
The Michael J Fox Show	Viewers*	3.34	3.45	2.53	2.89	3.05
	A18-49	1.1	1.0	0.9	0.9	1.0
Parenthood	Viewers*	3.67	3.88	3.77	3.65	3.74
	A18-49	1.2	1.3	1.2	1.2	1.2

* - in millions