Ratings report: 'Grey's Anatomy' premiere comes back strong

ABC can breathe a sigh of relief. "Grey's Anatomy" returned for its fifth season with a big ratings win, even though it happened on a Thursday that was pretty unimpressive for the networks all around.

"Grey's" struggled in last year's strike-plagued season, so the night's biggest question was whether fans would return. They did: The two-hour season premiere was the night's most-watched show, hauling in 18.3 million viewers, according to early data from Nielsen Media Research. But the medical drama slipped 18% compared with last year's opener among viewers ages 18 to 49 (to a 7.3 rating/18 share). And at 8 p.m., "Ugly Betty" slumped to its lowest premiere numbers ever (9.8 million viewers, 3.3/9 in 18-49).

For the other networks, the news was similarly sobering. Entering its 17th season, CBS' top reality franchise appears to be shuffling into its golden years. The two-hour premiere of "Survivor: Gabon" drew a respectable 12.9 million viewers, but the series continues to trend down steadily in young-adult viewers.

NBC had another tough night. A one-hour "My Name Is Earl" gathered an anemic 6.4 million viewers and delivered its lowest premiere rating ever in the key demographic of views ages 18 to 49 (2.7/8). The one-hour Season 5 launch of "The Office" held up better (9.2 million, 4.8/11) but was still off compared with last year. And at 10 p.m., the once-mighty "ER" started its final season with 7.9 million viewers and a record-low figure among 18-to-49-year-olds (3.3/8).

Airing back-to-back "Kitchen Nightmares," Fox sat on the ratings sidelines, averaging just 4.3 million viewers and placing a distant fourth in young adults.

-- Scott Collins

(Photo courtesy ABC)

Comments

[Mimi]

I love Grey's anatomy, so brilliant and emotional and inspiring and...

[Penny Reid]

Grey's season 1st espisode was pathetic.
Honestly an icle in Dr. Yang's side...and it never melted. They live is Seatltle not the North Pole.
The army dude who stapled his leg...what the heck! Let's face it going from a #2 rating to #12 with no explanation...do you think the public is stupid. You'll be lucky if people come back....and I have bought every season to date. You have to keep it real...up to this season it has been the best!

[Judy Casey]

Last year I din't watch much. It was much too graphic for me.
Thursday night, I tuned in again.
I was so happy to see Christina and whomever the hunk that closed that blind.
Good for her.
Otherwise, the story lines don't seem to change much. How about more Izzie and Alex?

[Alexa]

ahh that was an AMAZING, incredible, emotional episode!
the acting was unbelievable and god the medical cases!!
grey's anatomy is BACK! :)

[Mike]

Greys was crap, no wonder it was down 18% on last year. The downward spiral will continue once it actually has competition - there was no CSI on Thursday.