Preliminary Ratings: Thursday 04/24/14

The TV season may be coming to a close, but the networks are still giving us series premieres. We had two premieres on Thursday night, with mixed results.

CBS gave us the sitcom adaptation of the theatrical movie BAD TEACHER. The comedy was given a nice slot, airing after TWO AND A HALF MEN. The premiere drew 7.9 million viewers and a 2.1 rating in Adults 18-49. What is strong about the numbers is the 83% retention it had out of TWO AND A HALF MEN. Compared to the last THE CRAZY ONES episode, out of MEN two weeks ago, it only held onto 72% of the audience and drew one million viewers less than BAD TEACHER. The new comedy also drew 24% better A18-49 ratings than THE CRAZY ONES did, two weeks earlier. BAD TEACH is now a "Bubble" show for renewal with this decent first episode performance.

ABC was next with it's new 10 p.m. drama BLACK BOX. Now, am I the only one that is not 100% clear on what this series is even about? I get she is a specialized doctor and has "issues," but what does that have to do with BLACK BOX?  Anyway, It's premiere was... so-so. It did keep 86% of the GREY'S ANATOMY lead in, in total viewers, but the A18-49 ratings dropped 35%.

looking back at the SCANDAL series premiere, two years earlier, It held onto 90% of the GREY'S lead in, in viewership, but lost 29% of the demo lead in. What got that series renewed, and ultimately becoming a hit, was the stable ratings it drew. Through it's six week run, SCANDAL's  demographic low was down just one tenth of a ratings point, from the premiere. The season finale was up 15% from the premiere. Can/will BLACK BOX do the same?

NBC was nothing more than an after thoguth with viewers. The PARKS & REC season finale barely beat a repeat of JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE, head-to-head. the two hour special of SNL Short films was nothing more than filler by the network and it was reflected by the dismal ratings.

CBS easily won the night, but the numbers show that even the best fall when the weather gets warmer. THE BIG BANG THEORY posted a season low in the A18-49 ratings and close to a season low in total viewership. This is a great example of why the TV season needs to end on the last Thursday of April, not start the May sweeps on that date.

Quietly, FOX was the #2 network of the night, in the A18-49 ratings. HELL'S KITCHEN is back to normal. The SHARK TANK special Thursday episode, two weeks earlier, through the series into a loop. But as long as it does not return, it should remain strong through the remainder of the run.
 

Preliminary Network Averages:

ABC - 5.7 million viewers, 1.4 rating in A18-49

CBS - 9.9 million viewers, 2.4 rating in A18-49

CW - 1.6 million viewers, 0.6 rating in A18-49

FOX - 5.3 million viewers, 1.5 rating in A18-49

NBC - 2.5 million viewers, 1.0 rating in A18-49

Time	Net	Program	Viewers*	A18-49	+/-
8:00	ABC	Jimmy Kimmel Live [R]	2.80	0.6
9:00	ABC	Grey's Anatomy	7.60	2.3	178%
10:00	ABC	Black Box	6.60	1.5	-14%
8:00	CBS	The Big Bang Theory	16.00	4.3
8:30	CBS	The Millers	10.20	2.5	-36%
9:00	CBS	Two And A Half Men	9.50	2.5	-7%
9:30	CBS	Bad Teacher	7.90	2.1	-17%
10:00	CBS	Elementary	8.10	1.6	3%
8:00	CW	The Vampire Diaries	1.80	0.7
9:00	CW	Reign	1.40	0.5	-23%
8:00	FOX	Hell's Kitchen	4.80	1.7
9:00	FOX	American Idol	7.60	1.8	58%
9:30	FOX	Surviving Jack	3.90	1.0	-48%
8:00	NBC	Parks & Rec	2.70	1.0
9:00	NBC	SNL Shorts	2.50	1.0	-9%

* - in millions