Prime Time Ratings:
Wednesday 4/11/07
The following results are based on the fast national ratings (Live Plus Same Day data)
-Total Viewers:
Fox: 17.84 million, CBS: 11.27, ABC: 7.60, NBC: 6.69, CW: 4.54
-Adults 18-49:
Fox: 7.0 rating/18 share, ABC and CBS: 3.0/ 8 each, CW: 2.2/ 6, NBC: 2.1/ 6
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-Yesterday’s Winners:
American Idol (Fox), America’s Next Top Model (CW), Lost (ABC), CSI: NY (CBS)
-Honorable Mention:
Criminal Minds (CBS)
-Yesterday’s Losers (excluding repeats):
George Lopez (ABC), Friday Night Lights (NBC), According to Jim (ABC), In Case of Emergency (ABC), Crossing Jordan (NBC)
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-Ratings Breakdown:
Led by an expanded one-hour edition of the live American Idol results show (Viewers: 27.91 million; A18-49: 10.9 rating/26 share from 9-10 p.m.), Fox got over the “hump” in winning fashion. CBS was second in total viewers and tied with ABC for the distant No. 2 spot among adults 18-49, while NBC dipped to a lowly fifth (one-tenth of a rating point behind The CW) in the demo.
CBS’ waning Jericho, which started out strong but cooled as the season has progressed, was the most-watched show overall from 8-9 p.m. (8.25 million), but second among adults 18-49 (2.3/ 6). Two episodes of Fox sitcom ‘Til Death capped off the season (or series) as follows:
‘Til Death
8:00 p.m. – Viewers: 6.97 million (#2), A18-49: 2.8/ 8 (#1)
8:30 p.m. – Viewers: 8.57 million (#1), A18-49: 3.4/ 9 (#1)
As Fox ponders the fate of ‘Til Death, here are a few things -- positive and negative -- to consider:
The Pros:
1. ‘Til Death has improved creatively, and would benefit if the daughter and her hippy boyfriend were added as series regulars.
2. Year-ago Fox sitcom The Loop averaged 5.20 million viewers and a 2.1/ 7 among adults 18-49 at 8 p.m. on April 12, 2006, based on the final nationals. Comparably, the first telecast of ‘Til Death was up by 1.77 million viewers and 33 percent in the demo.
3. ‘Til Death outdelivered two episodes of ABC’s competing George Lopez (Viewers: #3: 6.46 million; A18-49: #4, 2.2/ 6) by 1.31 million viewers and 41 percent among adults 18-49.
The Cons:
1. Growth at 8:30 p.m. last night of 1.60 million viewers and 21 percent among adults 18-49 could be a reflection of the pre-tune-in for American Idol.
2. The prior four telecasts of ‘Til Death out of American Idol at 9:30 p.m. averaged a considerably stronger 14.34 million viewers with a 5.9/15 among adults 18-49, based on the final nationals.
Since the pros outweigh the cons (and I personally enjoy this comedy), my vote is for a second season. ‘Til Death is finding its way -- don’t cut it loose.
Also in the 8 p.m. hour were The CW’s healthy America’s Next Top Model (Viewers: #5, 5.05 million; A18-49: #2, 2.4/ 7), which remained the network’s most watched show, two episodes of ABC’s aforementioned George Lopez (Viewers: #3, 6.46 million; A18-49: #4, 2.2/ 6), and the season-finale of NBC’s critically applauded (but low-rated) Friday Night Lights (Viewers: #4, 6.27 million; A18-49: #5, 2.1/ 6). Since NBC has ordered six more scripts for Friday Night Lights, the network is, no doubt, exhibiting patience.
Second behind the American Idol steamroller at 9 p.m. (so long, Haley) was CBS sleeper hit Criminal Minds at 12.84 million viewers and a 3.2/ 8 among adults 18-49. Comparably, that built from lead-in Jericho by a considerable 4.59 million viewers and 39 percent among adults 18-49. Also in the hour were NBC’s expected-to-be axed Crossing Jordan (Viewers: #3, 6.15 million; A18-49: #3t, 1.7/ 4), ABC’s also doomed According to Jim (Viewers: #4, 5.09 million; A18-49: #3, 2.0/ 5) and In Case of Emergency (Viewers: #4, 3.78 million; a18-49: #4t, 1.5/ 4), and a repeat of The CW’s Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll (Viewers: #5, 3.44 million; A18-49: #5, 1.6/ 4). Once again, the repeat of Pussycat Dolls rated higher than the original installment from one night earlier (Viewers: 2.72 million, A18-49: 1.2/ 3 on April 11).
Tied for dominance at 10 p.m. were CBS’ CSI: NY (Viewers: #1, 12.71 million; A18-49: #2, 3.4/ 9) and ABC’s Lost (Viewers: #2, 11.91 million; A18-49: #1, 5.1/13), which is still a draw despite the double-digit year-to-year losses. Third was NBC’s poorly scheduled Medium, with 7.64 million viewers and a 2.5/ 7 among adults 18-49. Worth positively noting for Medium was growth out of lead-in Crossing Jordan of 1.49 million viewers and 47 percent among adults 18-49.
Source: Nielsen Media Research data
And, maybe no Lost depending on where and when ABC decides to show Lost next year.
