Preliminary Ratings: Wednesday 05/20/15

The last night of the 2014-15 season, and the May sweeps period, had CBS sweeping the night, with three hours of SURVIVOR. The finale episode of the season, a two hour event, collected the most viewers (9.7 million), posted the best A25-54 rating (3.0) and tied for the best A18-49 rating (2.2). Compared to last spring's finale, viewership was up, about 100,000, but the demo was down 15%. The reunion show, afterwards, posted similar numbers as last spring, up in total viewership, but down just one tenth, in the A18-49 demographic.

ABC's mix of finales and premieres did not pay off well. MODERN FAMILY posted its worst numbers of the season, and was down nearly 20%, in the A18-49 ratings, from last week's episode. The BLACK-ISH finale saw similar week-to-week erosion. Both comedies may have been victim to public perception, that last week was the finale episodes, as they were surrounded by other finales, on the night. The two premiere didn't do all that great, as 500 QUESTIONS was third in the 8 p.m. hour, while CELEBRITY WIFE SWAP was last at 10 p.m.

The two hour premiere of MASTERCHEF did as expected, if you look at HELL'S KITCHEN as a reference. Just 3.3 million viewers and a 1.2 A18-49 demo rating. Last year's premiere collected 4.1 million viewers and a 1.4 demo. Expect the ratings to go up, with no season finales to contend with.

NBC's three crime dramas went ended their respective seasons on a quiet note. The network was a distant second in total viewership, but just edged out FOX for third, in the A18-49 ratings.

Preliminary L+SD Network Averages:

	Total viewers	A18-49	A25-54+
ABC	4.9 million	1.4	1.7
CBS	9.0 million	2.1	2.8
CW	1.4 million	0.5	0.6
FOX	3.3 million	1.2	1.5
NBC	7.2 million	1.3	1.8

Time	Net	Program	Viewers*	A18-49	A25-54
8:00	ABC	500 Questions (SP)	5.00	1.2	1.5
9:00	ABC	Modern Family (SF)	7.10	2.2	2.7
9:30	ABC	Black-ish (SF)	5.40	1.6	2.0
10:00	ABC	Celebrity Wife Swap (SP)	3.30	1.0	1.3
8:00	CBS	Survivor	9.70	2.2	3.0
10:00	CBS	Survivor Reunion	7.50	1.8	2.4
8:00	CW	Supernatural [R]	1.10	0.3	0.4
9:00	CW	Supernatural	1.80	0.7	0.8
8:00	FOX	Masterchef	3.30	1.2	1.5
8:00	NBC	The Mysteries of Laura	7.30	1.1	1.6
9:00	NBC	Law & Order: SVU	7.20	1.4	1.9
10:00	NBC	Chicago PD	7.20	1.4	1.9

* - in millions