Preliminary Ratings: Monday 02/23/15

NBC was the #1 network on Monday night, with the return of THE VOICE and the second season premiere of THE NIGHT SHIFT. Together, the network averaged 10.9 million viewers and a 3.1 rating in Adults 18-49. Down about 1.8 million viewers and 17% in the demo, from the fall premieres of THE VOICE and THE BLACKLIST.

THE VOICE was the most watched and highest rated program of the night, grabbing 13.6 million viewers and a 4.0 demo, up slightly from the fall premiere. But, the coattails did not extend much past 10 p.m. THE NIGHT SHIFT lost 60% of its lead in audience and dropped 62% of the demographic viewers. Although that is better than STATE OF AFFAIRS, NBC is now far weaker on the night, without THE BLACKLIST. Expect a change, in March with THE NIGHT SHIFT and THE BLACK LIST swapping nights.

THE BACHELOR did well holing 100% of its audience from the previous week, despite the return of THE VOICE. the 8.9 million viewers and 2.6 demo was second only to the NBC show, during the time slot. But, THE BACHELOR was only the 4th most watched program of the night.

CBS took a ding in the numbers, with the tougher competition. The two comedies dropped a tenth of a point in the demo and SCORPION is down three tenths since its last original episodes, two weeks earlier.

FOX was flat on the night, even with the season finale of SLEEPY HOLLOW. The spooky drama has to be a bubble series, at best, for renewal. All it has going for it is the poor 2014-15 season FOX has had and it is the least of the issues the network faces.

Preliminary L+SD Network Averages:

ABC - 8.5 million viewers, 2.3 rating in A18-49

CBS - 9.6 million viewers, 1.9 rating in A18-49

CW - 1.3 million viewers, 0.4 rating in A18-49

FOX - 5.4 million viewers, 1.8 rating in A18-49

NBC - 10.9 million viewers, 3.1 rating in A18-49

Time	Net	Program	Viewers*	A18-49	+/-
8:00	ABC	The Bachelor	8.90	2.6
10:00	ABC	Castle	7.60	1.7	-15%
8:00	CBS	2 Broke Girls	8.60	2.1
8:30	CBS	Mike & Molly	8.80	2.0	2%
9:00	CBS	Scorpion	10.50	2.1	19%
10:00	CBS	NCIS: LA	9.60	1.6	-9%
8:00	CW	World Dog Awards [R]	1.30	0.4
8:00	FOX	Gotham	6.50	2.2
9:00	FOX	Sleepy Hollow	4.40	1.5	-32%
8:00	NBC	The Voice (SP)	13.60	4.0
10:00	NBC	The Night Shift	5.50	1.5	-60%

* - in millions