Fast National ratings for Thursday, March 12, 2015.
It was a bad day for America, as “American Crime” and “American Idol” both slipped and allowed CBS to cruise to primetime victories in most measures on Thursday.
The double-dose of “American Idol” at least lifted FOX to second place overall for the night, while the “American Crime” dip completed ABC's slip from regular key demo victories to second on the night. [“Grey's Anatomy” and “Scandal” were both down as well, so “American Crime” shouldn't get all of the blame here.]
Meanwhile, NBC's newly juggled schedule got no benefits as a “Dateline” special couldn't boost “Blacklist” and “The Slap” proved even less effective in the 10 p.m. hour than the now-departed “Allegiance.”
On to the numbers…
Among adults 18-49, CBS averaged a 2.4 rating for Thursday night, tops in the key demographic. ABC's 2.0 key demo rating and the 1.7 key demo rating for FOX followed. NBC was fourth with a 1.0 key demo rating, still doubling the 0.5 key demo rating for The CW for the night.
Overall, CBS averaged an estimated 10.2 million viewers and a 6.3 rating/11 share for Thursday primetime, comfortably topping the 8.14 million viewers and 5.0/8 for FOX. ABC was third with 7.16 million viewers and a 4.9/8, far ahead of the 3.2/6 and 4.92 million viewers for NBC. The CW averaged a 0.8/1 and 1.185 million viewers for the night.
8 p.m. – CBS dominated the 8 p.m. hour with “The Big Bang Theory” (Thursday-best 16.08 million viewers and a 4.4 key demo rating) and “The Odd Couple” (10.74 million and a 2.6 key demo), which weren't immune to the Daylight Saving Time Effect. FOX's “American Idol” was second overall with 7.88 million viewers and third with a 1.7 rating among adults 18-49, compared to the 7.38 million viewers and 2.1 key demo rating for ABC's “Grey's Anatomy.” NBC's “Dateline: The Real Blacklist” averaged 4.51 million viewers and a 0.8 key demo rating, the same key demo number as last week's “The Slap,” but a big improvement overall. The CW's “The Vampire Diaries” averaged 1.33 million viewers and a 0.6 key demo rating.
9 p.m. – CBS was first overall and second in the key demo with a “Big Bang Theory” repeat (9.645 million viewers and a 2.2 key demo) and a new “Mom” (9.18 million and a 2.3 key demo rating, up week-to-week in the key demo). “American Idol” averaged 8.4 million viewers to beat the 8.28 million for “Scandal,” but the ABC drama did a 2.6 key demo rating, far ahead of the 1.7 key demo rating for “Idol.” NBC's “The Blacklist” averaged 7.34 million viewers for fourth and tied with “Idol” with a 1.7 key demo rating. The CW's “Reign” averaged 1.04 million viewers and a 0.4 key demo rating.
10 p.m. – “Elementary” won the 10 p.m. hour with 7.77 million viewers and also led with a 1.5 rating among adults 18-49, though that may shift since CBS had a slew of ACC basketball preemptions. ABC's “American Crime” dropped to 5.81 million viewers and a 1.4 key demo rating in its second week. The “American Crime” decline might look ugly, were it not for the fact that in its 10 p.m. premiere “The Slap” could muster only 2.92 million viewers and a 0.6 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.