TV Ratings: Whitney Houston, Adele send Grammy numbers soaring on Sunday
Only ABC's 'Once Upon a Time' withstands the onslaught
Grammys host L.L. Cool J
Credit: Matt Sayles/AP
Are you a fan of TV Ratings?
Sign up to get the latest updates instantly.
Fast National ratings for Sunday, February 12, 2012.
The tragic passing of Whitney Houston and popular success of the unstoppable Adele sent ratings for Sunday night's Grammys telecast soaring for CBS, averaging roughly 39 million viewers in early returns, making it possibly the second most-watched Grammys in history.
Not surprisingly, CBS dominated Sunday night in all measures, though with these numbers you'll have to keep in mind that while the Grammys aired live for much of the country, CBS continued the antiquated tradition of airing them on three-hour delay on the West Coast, which makes all figures very subject to change.
Among adults 18-49, CBS averaged an 11.5 rating, crushing the competition in the key demographic. ABC was a distant second with a 1.9 rating, followed by FOX's 1.7 rating and the 1.5 rating for NBC.
Overall, CBS averaged an estimated 34.51 million viewers and a 19.1 rating.26 share. ABC was pretty far back in second with a 3.8/6 and 6.35 million viewers, beating NBC's 3.3/5 and 5.25 million viewers. FOX averaged 3.55 million viewers and a 2.1/3 for the night.
7 p.m. - The primetime sweep for CBS began in the 7 p.m. hour with 14.55 million viewers and a 2.9 rating among adults 18-49 for "60 Minutes." NBC's "Dateline" averaged 8.35 million viewers and a 2.0 key demo rating for second. ABC's "America's Funniest Home Videos" tied for second in the key demo and averaged 7.76 million viewers for a close third. FOX was fourth with a "Bob's Burgers" repeat (1.91 million viewers and a 0.7 key demo) and a new "The Cleveland Show" (2.73 million viewers and a 1.2 key demo).
8 p.m. - The start of the 54th Annual Grammy Awards averaged 40.68 million viewers and a 13.8 rating among adults 18-49. ABC's "Once Upon a Time" held up impressively against the Grammys onslaught, still averaging a 3.0 key demo rating and a respectable 8.635 million viewers. NBC was third overall with 5.195 million viewers and fourth in the key demo with a 1.2 rating. FOX was fourth overall and third in the key demo with new episodes of "The Simpsons" (4.33 million and a 2.0 key demo) and "Napoleon Dynamite" (3.81 million and a 1.7 key demo rating).
9 p.m. - The Grammys improved to 42.64 million viewers and a 14.9 rating among adults 18-49 in their second hour for CBS. ABC's "Desperate Housewives" drew only 6.35 million viewers for second overall and finished third with a 1.8 key demo rating. FOX was third with "Family Guy" (4.99 million viewers and a 2.5 key demo) and "American Dad" (3.54 million and a 1.7 key demo rating). On NBC, "Fear Factor" drew only 3.32 million viewers and a 1.3 key demo rating.
10 p.m. - CBS closed primetime in first with 40.17 million viewers and a 14.6 rating among adults 18-49 for the Grammys. NBC's "Fear Factor" averaged 4.14 million viewers and a 1.6 key demo rating. On ABC, a new episode of "Pan Am" drew 2.66 million viewers and a 0.7 key demo rating.
All ratings information comes from preliminary Fast National Nielsen data, which includes live and same-day DVR viewing. All numbers are subject to change, particularly in the case of live events.
Trending Now on HitFix Boards
| Topic | Started By | Latest Post | Replies |
|---|---|---|---|
| dan |
3 months ago
|
3
|
|
| dan |
3 months ago
|
3
|
|
| dan |
3 months ago
|
1
|
|
| dan |
3 months ago
|
4
|
|
| Discuss TV Ratings on HitFix Message Boards » | |||
News From Our Partners
-
'American Idol': Jessica Sanchez is 'relieved' it's all over (and happy for Phillip Phillips)
Chaka Khan would step in for Jennifer Lopez as 'American Idol' judge
Steven Tyler says both Phillip Phillips and Jessica Sanchez will be successful after 'American Idol'
-
Sylvester Stallone 'Ups The Ante' In 'Expendables 2'
Big Sean 'Can't Wait' To See Kanye's 'Cruel Summer' At Cannes
Kristen Stewart's 'On The Road': Cannes Reviews Are In!
-
'Transformers 3' Extra Receives $18.5 Million Settlement For Injury
Samuel L. Jackson As Darth Vader In Hilarious 'Star Wars' Spoof
'Men in Black 3': Pros And Cons
-
The Telefile - Today's TWoP News: Wednesday, May 23, 2012
The Telefile - Today's TWoP News: Tuesday, May 22, 2012
The Telefile - TV on DVD: Tuesday, May 22, 2012
-
Total Recall: Will Smith's Best Movies
Cannes 2012: Critics Scorecard
24 Frames: The Films of Wes Anderson
-
Reasonable Discussions: #34: A Little Deeper Into The Bee Gees Listening Experience
The New Cult Canon: Vampire’s Kiss features one of Nicolas Cage’s best, most out-of-control performances
Random Roles: Actress, memoirist, and set dresser Sissy Spacek looks back on some key roles
-
'SVU' Meets 'The Godfather' In The Shocking Season Finale
Bethenny Frankel Recalls Days As Personal Assistant On 'Kimmel'
'Don't Trust The B' Finale: Van Der Beek 'DWTS' Dressing Room Drama
Comments
Option 1
Comment instantly as a guest GuestOption 2
Option 3
Login or create a HitFix account Login Signupalynch
February 13, 2012 at 1:06PM EST Reply to CommentSo if the final numbers are adjusted up, that validates the west-coast delay strategy, right? Or am I misunderstanding how the final adjustments work?
February 13, 2012 at 1:41PM EST-Daniel
Tedd
February 13, 2012 at 1:35PM EST Reply to CommentDoes Hitfix ever publish cable ratings numbers?
February 13, 2012 at 1:42PM EST-Daniel
RobL
February 13, 2012 at 4:41PM EST Reply to CommentThese ratings posts cry out to be organized in a table of some sort.