Prime-Time Ratings:
Thursday 11/12/09

-Total Viewers:
CBS: 15.22 million, ABC: 10.97, Fox: 7.86, NBC: 5.44, CW: 3.54

-Adults 18-49:
ABC: 4.0 rating/10 share, CBS: 3.8/10, Fox: 2.5/ 7, NBC: 2.4/ 6, CW: 1.7/ 4

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-Yesterday’s Winners:
Survivor: Samoa (CBS), The Vampire Diaries (CW), CSI (CBS), Grey’s Anatomy (ABC), The Mentalist (CBS)

-Honorable Mention:
Bones (Fox), The Office (NBC)

-Yesterday’s Losers:
Community (NBC), Parks and Recreation (NBC), Fringe (Fox), The Jay Leno Show (NBC)

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Note: Any prior rating results are based on the final nationals. Since the level of DVR penetration has increased from 27 percent at this same point last year to approximately 33 percent at present, the overall results may be negatively impacted.

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-Ratings Breakdown:
It was a typical Thursday of mixed leadership, with CBS the most-watched network (with 5.38 million more viewers than second-place ABC) and ABC No. 1 among adults 18-49 (five percent ahead of CBS). Third in both categories was Fox, followed by NBC and The CW.

CBS’ Survivor Samoa dominated the 8 p.m. hour, with 13.19 million viewers and a 4.0 rating/11 share among adults 18-49. Comparably, this was right on target with the year-ago telecast set in Gabon (Viewers: 12.88 million; A18-49: 4.0/11 on Nov. 13, 2008). Next was Fox’s Bones (Viewers: 9.77 million; A18-49: 2.9/ 8), followed by ABC’s FlashForward (Viewers: 8.33 million; A18-49: 2.6/ 7), which is now only about equal to year-ago occupant Ugly Betty, failing NBC sitcoms Community (Viewers: 5.14 million; A18-49: 2.1/ 6) and Parks and Recreation (Viewers: 4.67 million; A18-49: 2.1/ 6), and solid The Vampire Diaries on The CW (Viewers: 4.31 million; A18-49: 2.0/ 5). The Vampire Diaries finished first in the time period in women 18-34 (3.0/9-tie), women 12-34 (2.8/8) and female teens (1.7/6).

If you missed Survivor last night, you did not see what I personally think was one of the most satisfying moments in the veteran franchise. All I can say is Russell is the new Rupert. Worth positively noting for Bones, meanwhile, was growth over year-ago occupant Kitchen Confidential (Viewers: 4.91 million; A18-49: 2.3/ 6 on Nov. 13, 2008) of 4.86 million viewers and 26 percent in the demo.

At 9 p.m., the conclusion of the three-part CSI franchise crossover with Lawrence Fishburne lifted CBS mainstay CSI to an above-average 16.89 million viewers (#1) and a 4.0/10 among adults 18-49 (#2) at 9 p.m. That was the most-watched show of the evening. Tied for dominance was Grey’s Anatomy on ABC with 14.38 million viewers (#2) and a first-place 5.4/13 in the demo.

Also airing from 9-10 p.m. was The Office (Viewers: #3, 7.76 million; A18-49: #2, 4.0/10) and 30 Rock (Viewers: #3, 5.78 million; A18-49: #3, 2.9/ 7) on ABC, Fox’s deteriorating Fringe (Viewers: #4, 5.95 million; A18-49: #4, 2.2/ 5), and The CW’s Supernatural (Viewers: #5, 2.77 million; A18-49: #5, 1.3/ 3). While Fringe remains one of the most DVR’d shows in primetime, retention of out of the second half of lead-in Bones (Viewers: 10.13 million; A18-49: 3.0/ 8) was only 59 percent in total viewers and 73 percent in the demo.

At 10 p.m., CBS’ The Mentalist and ABC’s Private Practice shared dominance as follows:

Thursday 10 p.m.
The Mentalist (CBS)
Viewers: 15.58 million (#1), A18-49: 3.5/10 (#2)

Private Practice (ABC)
Viewers: 10.20 million (#2), A18-49: 3.9/11 (#1)

Rounding off the hour was NBC’s failing The Jay Leno Show at just 4.63 million viewers and a 1.6/ 4 in the demo. Ouch!

Source: Nielsen Media Research data (R = repeat)

That's all CSI could manage for its heavily promoted three-episode cross-over? GA still spanked it handily.

And look at Private Practice beating The Mentalist AGAIN in demo? The margin of victory was larger than last week... even with TM's better lead-in from CSI.

Well the crossover somewhat worked for CSILV. But i'm sure CBS was expecting a bigger jump.

30 Rock has really slipped this season. And you know what that means? More Emmys baby

VD looks steady as a rock, very consistent, and consistent in a good way. SN's retention is poor though

Fringe surely won't see a third season. FOX must've learned something from Dollhouse's debacle

Where's Private Practice in the winners list?

and wow with The Vampire Diaries, only .1 behind the NBC comedies

quote:

Originally posted by a-mad:
That's all CSI could manage for its heavily promoted three-episode cross-over? GA still spanked it handily.

And look at Private Practice beating The Mentalist AGAIN in demo? The margin of victory was larger than last week... even with TM's better lead-in from CSI.

Yeah CSI was spanked beacause it was watched by a 2 million more viewers. Poor CSI

Props to SURVIVOR

Yeah, it’s not the ratings power house it once was but after 19 seasons and almost 10 years it can still DELIVER a completely satisfying episode such as last night where the show’s VILLAIN triumphs over a pack of smug would be Pagongers.

Well Played Russell…well played.

Speaking of SURVIVOR-this weeks PEOPLE came into our office today. Season 3 winner Ethan Zohn’s tough battle with cancer doesn’t look encouraging. Life can be so unfair-here we have a million dollar winner dating a beautiful million dollar winner from the SAME show (Jenna Morasco) and still he gets cancer. Best wishes to Ethan and all of us should…count our own blessings.

quote:

Originally posted by A.C.:
Props to SURVIVOR

Yeah, it’s not the ratings power house it once was but after 19 seasons and almost 10 years it can still DELIVER a completely satisfying episode such as last night where the show’s VILLAIN triumphs over a pack of smug would be Pagongers.

Well Played Russell…well played.

Speaking of SURVIVOR-this weeks PEOPLE came into our office today. Season 3 winner Ethan Zohn’s tough battle with cancer doesn’t look encouraging. Life can be so unfair-here we have a million dollar winner dating a beautiful million dollar winner from the SAME show (Jenna Morasco) and still he gets cancer. Best wishes to Ethan and all of us should…count our own blessings.

I wonder if the recent Survivor ratings bump increases its chances of getting the post-Super Bowl slot ? I am starting to think Survivor might be the choice.

The Mentalist just doesn't deserve the post-Super Bowl spot. It really has just done okay on Thursday, and nothing great. It did much better after NCIS.

quote:

Originally posted by robert:

quote:

Originally posted by a-mad:
That's all CSI could manage for its heavily promoted three-episode cross-over? GA still spanked it handily.

And look at Private Practice beating The Mentalist AGAIN in demo? The margin of victory was larger than last week... even with TM's better lead-in from CSI.

Yeah CSI was spanked beacause it was watched by a 2 million more viewers. Poor CSI

I knew I'd get this post from someone... I'm surprised it took this long.

Demos, man... demos. GA kicked CSI's a** again... and that's even with the heavily promoted crossover this week.

CSI is still strong - getting a 4 in the demo is nothing to cry over... but last year at this time GA and CSI were jockeying for the demo lead week in and week out, with CSI winning often. And after everyone screaming of the demise of GA - to see it come out this year in fighting shape both creatively and in the ratings is a big victory for ABC.

It isn't going to be long until VD beats Community and P&R in both demos and viewers. NBC really needs to program something else Thursdays at 8 PM.

quote:

Originally posted by lopez:

and wow with The Vampire Diaries, only .1 behind the NBC comedies

The CSI crossover was a success. I'd imagine that CBS is brainstorming more crossovers with different shows to try to repeat the success of the CSI crossover.

quote:

Originally posted by Marc Berman:

At 9 p.m., the conclusion of the three-part CSI franchise crossover with Lawrence Fishburne lifted CBS mainstay CSI to an above-average 16.89 million viewers (#1) and a 4.0/10 among adults 18-49 (#2) at 9 p.m. That was the most-watched show of the evening.

quote:

Originally posted by Twins12:

quote:

Originally posted by A.C.:
Props to SURVIVOR

Yeah, it’s not the ratings power house it once was but after 19 seasons and almost 10 years it can still DELIVER a completely satisfying episode such as last night where the show’s VILLAIN triumphs over a pack of smug would be Pagongers.

Well Played Russell…well played.

Speaking of SURVIVOR-this weeks PEOPLE came into our office today. Season 3 winner Ethan Zohn’s tough battle with cancer doesn’t look encouraging. Life can be so unfair-here we have a million dollar winner dating a beautiful million dollar winner from the SAME show (Jenna Morasco) and still he gets cancer. Best wishes to Ethan and all of us should…count our own blessings.

I wonder if the recent Survivor ratings bump increases its chances of getting the post-Super Bowl slot ? I am starting to think Survivor might be the choice.

The Mentalist just doesn't deserve the post-Super Bowl spot. It really has just done okay on Thursday, and nothing great. It did much better after NCIS.

A.C., I echo your sentiments about Survivor and Ethan. It's great to see the show doing so well this fall and let's all hope Ethan makes a speedy recovery.

As far as the post-Superbowl slot goes, isn't next spring the good vs. evil all-star edition? There's still life in Survivor and I think it merits that post-game slot. It's still the king of reality after all these years. Hopefully it gets a well deserved Emmy this year, as well.

I think fringe is different proposition to dollhouse- and Fringe jumped 29% this week too. If it was at 2.5 in the demo i think Fox may be satisfied with that.Its facing very heavy competition too.

quote:

Originally posted by lopez:
Where's Private Practice in the winners list?

My question as well.

quote:

Originally posted by Twins12:

The Mentalist just doesn't deserve the post-Super Bowl spot. It really has just done okay on Thursday, and nothing great. It did much better after NCIS.

Then stop assuming it will get the post superbowl slot, Twins. I just read a post of your's in last nite's thread that said something to the effect that anybody who doesn't think TM will get the spot doesn't follow CBS carefully, as you pointed to the promotion TM gets. I see that. But I also see these fairly flat ratings it gets, well below expectation.

But another show that appears to get substantial promotion is NCIS. Now, there is no way NCIS is going to get the spot. And there is mixed proof that a SB slot can build a show. But NCIS, amazingly, is fairly hot right now, gaining alot of recognition is has never gotten. NCIS:LA is still in the original's shadow. CBS would probably like to give it more of its own identity, maybe move it out to another nite, even if a long term ratings bump doesn't occur. It stars a couple of fairly young men.

What is hotter right now? NCIS, broadly defined to include the spinoff, or TM?

I don't have a dog in the hunt, and perhaps you don't either. I don't watch any of the shows in question. But NCIS:LA is my bet.

quote:

Also airing from 9-10 p.m. was The Office (Viewers: #3, 7.76 million; A18-49: #2, 4.0/10) and 30 Rock (Viewers: #3, 5.78 million; A18-49: #3, 2.9/ 7) on ABC, Fox’s deteriorating Fringe (Viewers: #4, 5.95 million; A18-49: #4, 2.2/ 5), and The CW’s Supernatural (Viewers: #5, 2.77 million; A18-49: #5, 1.3/ 3). While Fringe remains one of the most DVR’d shows in primetime, retention of out of the second half of lead-in Bones (Viewers: 10.13 million; A18-49: 3.0/ 8) was only 59 percent in total viewers and 73 percent in the demo.

Well that's pretty awful--but hey, at least it's not 58% in viewers and 68% in the demo. Against competition a lot tougher than Castle could ever survive. Mushu.

Unfortunately, the ep was much worse than its ratings (that's something Fringe and Castle have in common these days).

A very blatant (and inferior) do-over of one of my favorite X-Files episodes. One that I'm named after, in fact.