Fox passes early audition with 'Glee' ratings, but real tests are to come

Given that Fox's new high school show "Glee" has already attracted a cult following, there was considerable speculation about how it would do in its official premiere Wednesday night.

Turns out the show passed a key audition, but it's still too soon to tell its ultimate fate. "Glee" attracted 7.3 million total viewers and won its time slot among the adults aged 18 to 49 demographic, with a 3.3 rating/9 share, according to early data from Nielsen Media Research.

That put "Glee" -- a kind of cross between "High School Musical" and "Freaks and Geeks" -- a strong No. 2 to NBC's "America's Got Talent" (9.7 million total viewers) for the night. And the Fox show easily beat "Talent" among young adults (3.3 vs. 2.1).

But Wednesday was an unusual night for prime-time TV, so there's no telling where "Glee" will ultimately settle. The other broadcasters -- but not Fox -- opened the evening with coverage of Pres. Obama's speech about health care reform, which disrupted normal viewing patterns (ratings for the speech will be available later). And since the fall season doesn't officially start for nearly two more weeks, the real competition hasn't yet weighed in. "Glee" will eventually face off against two crime shows with solid fan bases: NBC's "Law & Order: SVU" and CBS' "Criminal Minds," plus two new ABC comedies.

Fox is betting that "Glee" can be its breakout hit this fall. The network aired a special preview last spring behind "American Idol," and showed another episode to rabid fans this summer at the Comic-Con in San Diego. The network pointed out that "Glee" this week delivered Fox's highest rating for a fall scripted premiere in two years.

Wednesday also saw the season premieres of Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance" (6.5 million) and the CW's "America's Next Top Model" (3.2 million). Both series underperformed based on their past results, with "Top Model" dipping to its lowest-rated premiere ever.

--Scott Collins

Comments

[Sarah Timmer]

Freaks and Geeks got 11 share on the premiere night. Hopefully Glee does not share the same fate as Freaks and Geeks.

[tyrone]

After all the hype... and the fortune Fox spent in promotion and advertising for "Glee"...it only attracted 7 millions viewers...and it had no competition from the other networks who did not air new programming but aired President Obama's speech instead...expect "Glee" to suffer 30 percent audience erosion over the next four weeks...in total viewers and demo. Fox execs whose jobs hang by a thread...are claiming victory with "Glee's" demo numbers. But upper management is not so thrilled with "Glee", the dreadful "Brothers" and the returning ratings disaster "Dollhouse". Peter Ligouri was shown the door back in March...Reilly did not receive a vote of confidence at that time. At lunch...in the Fox dining room...at the coveted table...were "The Boss" and Peter Rice...and one bystander overheard the following....Mr. Rice is feeling "comfortable"...he gave "The Old Man" the high sign. Expect a massive house cleaning...top to bottom at the network.

[Carol]

I love "Glee." However, if it goes against the last season of "Lost" in January, I'll have to learn how to operate a DVR.

[Shon]

I loved the pilot...but after watching the second episode...I'd be surprised if there wasn't a 50% drop in ratings.

[Beach Guy]

I love "Glee". The show really is fun to watch...and in today's worlds, give you a smile!

Plus, it's so edgy! Love it!

[Rico Zamora]

I think that these numbers are decent. And, of course, there's always going to be a fear of eroding ratings as the season progresses and the competition becomes fiercer. But FOX needs to learn to stick with things and ride them out. They are too "cancel" happy and have a reputation for canning shows before they've had a chance to bloom.

Of course, everything is dictated by money these days, but they need to give their programming some time to breathe and grow creatively. And if this show gave them their highest fall ratings for a scripted program in two years, we can all be assured of Glee's future on television--if only for the short term.

[Jackmack]

I think it's the most original thing on T.V. since C.S.I
if given a chance this show will grow in numbers and will spark interest amongst the younger viewers. Kudos to Fox, hope they don't rush and pull the plug on a great show. With that said, it probably will only have a shelf life of about 4 years, when compared with shows similar like Boston Public and Alley Mcbeal(feel good shows with originality of Fox).