TV Ratings: 'Big Bang' rises, 'X Factor' drops and CBS, FOX split Thursday
'Grey's Anatomy' has a big night opposite CBS repeat
A scene from Thursday night's "The Big Bang Theory"
Credit: CBS
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CBS was confident enough about its Thursday position to air two hours of repeats during the key November sweeps period and still win the night overall, thanks to "The Big Bang Theory," which continued to hold its place the evening's most watched show in most key measures, rising week to week. Perhaps the big "Bang" partially explains a big drop for the the season's second Thursday "X Factor" results episode, though FOX still capitalized on the CBS repeats to top the night among young viewers.
Among adults 18-49, FOX averaged a 3.0 rating, holding off CBS' 2.8 rating and the 2.7 rating for ABC in the key demographic. NBC was fourth with a 1.8 rating, followed by The CW's 1.1 rating.
Overall, though, CBS averaged an estimated 10.94 million viewers in primetime along with a 6.8 rating/11 share. FOX was second with 9.51 million viewers and a 5.7/9, easily topping ABC's 5.4/8 and 7.99 million viewers. There was the usual big drop to NBC's 2.9/5 and 4.48 million viewers and then to The CW's 1.7/3 and 2.74 million.
8 p.m. - CBS led the 8 p.m. hour in all measures thanks to "The Big Bang Theory" (15.69 million viewers and a 5.2 key demo rating) and "Rules of Engagement" (11.775 million viewers and a 3.6 key demo). FOX's "The X Factor" was second with just under 10.2 million viewers and a 3.3 rating among adults 18-49. ABC's deceased "Charlie's Angels" was third with 5.13 million viewers and fifth with a 1.1 key demo rating. NBC was fourth with drops for "Community" (3.465 million viewers and a 1.5 key demo) and "Parks and Recreation" (3.59 million viewers and a 1.8 key demo). The CW's "The Vampire Diaries" averaged 3.33 million viewers and a 1.4 key demo rating for its fall finale.
9 p.m. - ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" took advantage of CBS' repeat in the hour to average 11.17 million viewers and a 4.0 rating among adults 18-49, posting big week-to-week gains. CBS' repeat of "Person of Interest" still took second overall with 9.1 million viewers and fourth with a 2.0 key demo rating. FOX's "Bones" slipped from last week's premiere to 8.83 million viewers and a 2.7 key demo rating. NBC was fourth overall and third in the key demo with "The Office" (5.88 million and a 3.0 key demo) and "Whitney" (4.3 million and a 2.1 key demo). The CW's "The Secret Circle" averaged 2.16 million viewers and a 0.8 key demo rating).
10 p.m. - A repeat of "The Mentalist" won the 10 p.m. hour overall with 10.01 million viewers, but finished second with a 1.9 rating among adults 18-49. "Private Practice" was up to 7.67 million viewers and a 2.9 key demo rating without "Mentalist" competition. Even NBC's "Prime Suspect" went up slightly to 4.81 million viewers, though its 1.2 key demo rating was flat.
All ratings information comes from preliminary Fast National Nielsen data, which includes live and same-day DVR viewing. All numbers are subject to change.
A long-time member of the TCA Board and a longer-time blogger of "American Idol," Dan Fienberg writes about TV, except for when he writes about movies or sometimes writes about the Red Sox. But never music. He would sound stupid talking about music.
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November 11, 2011 at 1:05PM EST Reply to CommentIt should be noted that head to head [8-10 pm] CBS beat Fox in the demo (3.2 vs 3.0) CBS just had that 10 pm rerun to pull the average down. So yeah "empty" victory for Fox if you come to think of it.
While X Factor's ratings are not disastrous this is really disappointing as Fox expected that they could duplicate AI's success in the fall. Still X Factor's provides 3 solid hours of ratings for Fox during a time they usually struggle
dan Forg - It's a very empty victory, yes.
November 11, 2011 at 1:12PM ESTAnd I don't think anybody other than Simon Cowell really *expected* a duplication of "Idol" in the fall. I think the network is relatively satisfied with exactly what you said: Three hours of ratings that are better than anything the network would get with anything else, every week. I'm sure FOX would love "X Factor" to be higher, but it may be enough if it turns out that "X Factor" merely somewhat blunts anticipation for "The Voice" in the spring...
-Daniel
c.. l. stallings Too much talk and contrived animosity among the judges of X-Factor. Bones would be a better lead in.
November 12, 2011 at 10:46AM ESTJedyKnight
November 11, 2011 at 3:15PM EST Reply to CommentIt always makes me a little sad that on thursdays' NBC's less funny comedies (The Office & Whitney) get way better ratings than the more funny comedies (Community & Parks & Rec).. i mean i understand that The Office has been the flagship for a while and still is, even in it's sunset, and Whitney is the new flashy thing appealing to a common denominator.. and P&R can be for certaint tastes and Community can be too weird sometimes.. but still, makes me a little sad.
Juventud Jones
November 11, 2011 at 4:51PM EST Reply to CommentTotally agree with JedyKnight. It's sad that Parks and Rec and Community don't get their just due. That said, TV audiences are just more proof that most people have terrible, awful taste. I mean just look at Big Bang Theory. Ugh. Disgusting that these hacky Chuck Lorre shows strike such a chord with general audiences. But then again, so does Transformers movies and country music.
Why does it have to be so painful for those of us that have good taste? Thanks a lot, America. Enjoy your McDonalds.
Joe I agree with everything you said. If only there were more of us...
November 14, 2011 at 7:10AM ESThdgsbrbr
November 11, 2011 at 9:06PM EST Reply to CommentWrite a comment...i just started watching the big bang theory and I love it thanks
Mulder
November 12, 2011 at 2:47AM EST Reply to CommentThe Big Bang Rocks!
All other shows blows and suck major a$$!
Reynaldo
November 12, 2011 at 6:39AM EST Reply to CommentDan, should I as a Parks and Rec loyal viewer be worried?
Joe Assuming the comments directly above & below aren't ironic we should all be worried about humanity, let alone our dear Parks & Rec. Idiocracy here we come!
November 14, 2011 at 7:13AM ESTadam
November 13, 2011 at 1:52PM EST Reply to Commenti did love two and a half men was my favourite ever show but the big bang theory kicks its ass even the old ones with charlie sheen the big bang theory is the funniest show ever