Fast National ratings for Sunday, March 11, 2012.
ABC got encouraging returns for “GCB,” as the Texas dramedy’s second week actually rose slightly among young viewers and helped the network win Sunday among young viewers. Of course, “GCB” still drew a smaller audience than “CSI: Miami,” which ranked as Sunday’s most watched show and led CBS to an easy overall win.
[Note that in the aftermath of Sunday morning’s time change, most primetime early-evening numbers will likely be lower-than-usual this week, a peculiar phenomenon that occurs every year.]
Among adults 18-49, ABC averaged a 2.3 rating, beating CBS’ 2.1 rating and the 2.0 rating for FOX in the key demographic. NBC’s 1.5 key demo rating trailed.
Overall, though, CBS averaged an estimated 10.08 million viewers and a 6.4 rating/11 share, easily winning Sunday primetime. ABC was far back in second with 7.79 million viewers and a 4.9 rating/8 share. NBC was third with a 4.1/7 and 6.6 million viewers. FOX’s 2.4/4 and 4.26 million viewers trailed.
7 p.m. – CBS started primetime in first with 10.26 million viewers and a 1.6 rating among adults 18-49. ABC’s “America’s Funniest Home Videos” averaged 6.485 million viewers for second and a 1.3 key demo rating for third. NBC’s “Dateline” averaged 4.71 million viewers for third and a 0.9 key demo rating for fourth. FOX was fourth overall and second in the key demo with a repeat of “The Simpsons” (2.8 million and a 1.2 key demo rating) and a new “The Cleveland Show” (3.32 million viewers and a 1.6 key demo rating. Only FOX wasn’t down week-to-week.
8 p.m. – “The Amazing Race” won the 8 p.m. hour with 9.71 million viewers and tied for first with a 2.8 rating among adults 18-49, down in viewers week-to-week, but steady in the key demo. The time change took a big bite out of “Once Upon a Time,” which slipped to 9.12 million viewers and a 2.8 key demo rating. NBC’s “Harry’s Law” moved to its new home with its usual solid audience (8.87 million viewers) and anemic key demo numbers (a 1.1 rating). FOX was fourth overall and third in the key demo with “The Simpsons” (4.96 million viewers and a 2.3 key demo) and the return of “Bob’s Burgers” (4.03 million viewers and a 1.9 key demo).
9 p.m. – “The Good Wife” won the 9 p.m. hour for CBS with 9.82 million viewers, but finished fourth with a 1.7 rating among adults 18-49. ABC’s “Desperate Housewives” was steady with 8.29 million viewers and a 2.5 key demo rating. NBC’s “Celebrity Apprentice” averaged 6.1 million viewers and took a drop to a 1.8 key demo rating. FOX was fourth overall and tied for the hourly demo win with “Family Guy” (5.82 million and a 2.8 key demo) and “American Dad” (4.635 million and a 2.2 key demo).
10 p.m. – CBS’ “CSI: Miami” was up week-to-week with 10.54 million viewers, but finished third for the hour with a 2.1 rating among adults 18-49. ABC’s “GCB” averaged 7.25 million viewers and won the hour with a 2.3 key demo rating. NBC’s “Celebrity Apprentice” was down with 6.72 million viewers and a 2.2 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.