Weekly rankings: CBS wins first week as new series struggle for viewers
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When the dust settled from the first week of the new TV season, CBS emerged on top, with six of the 10 most-watched shows.
The network got big numbers from established crime dramas such as ‘NCIS’ (19.4 million total viewers), ‘NCIS: Los Angeles’ (15.8 million) and ‘The Mentalist’ (15.5 million), according to data from the Nielsen Co.
The No. 1 program in viewers was Monday’s season premiere of ‘Dancing With the Stars’ on ABC (21.3 million), while the prize in adults ages 18 to 49 went to NBC’s Sunday football game between the Jets and the Dolphins (7.3 rating/19 share; 18.1 million overall). Fox’s Season 2 opener of ‘Glee’ was the top-rated entertainment program (5.6 rating/16 share).
However, in a sign of a long season ahead for broadcasters, the top 10 lists in both viewers and the ages 18-49 demographic included none of the new series heavily promoted by the networks. The top new program was CBS’ ‘Hawaii Five-0’ remake (14.2 million), which ranked No. 11 in viewers and barely cracked the top 20 among young adults. Rivals had an even tougher time: NBC’s top-rated new show was the comedy ‘Outsourced’ at No. 25, while ABC’s was the comedy ‘Better With You’ at No. 48. Fox has already canceled its drama ‘Lone Star,’ which ranked 75th among young adults (4.1 million overall).
Overall, CBS was an easy No. 1 (12.5 million), trailed by ABC (9.6 million), NBC (8.2 million) and Fox (6.5 million). CBS also led in 18-49 with a 3.3 average rating, ahead of ABC and NBC with 2.8 apiece.
Cable quieted down during a week that really belonged to the broadcasters, with the only ratings sizzle coming from the Saints vs. 49ers matchup on ESPN Monday night (15.1 million).
— Scott Collins (Twitter: @scottcollinsLAT)
