THE WEEK. For the recently completed week ending Sunday (January 7-13, 2013), CBS pulled into first place with a preliminary 3.18 adult 18-49 rating, doubling last week’s 1.58 rating. Two hours this week were unusual, non-recurring events (NFL playoff overrun on Saturday from 8-9 pm and Sunday 7-8 pm, at an 11.6 and 12.4 adjusted fast national rating, respectively). But the week was supported by a definitely recurring asset: CBS Thursday, which averaged a powerful 3.7 from 8-11 pm. Big Bang Theory alone set a series high 6.4 rating at 8:00 pm. CBS also won Tuesday and was a very close second on Wednesday. And this week Monday night returns to original episodes, putting that in the CBS win column going forward.
FOX remained in second place with a 2.96 rating for the week, up from a 2.26 last week. Most of this week’s rating increase resulted from the Saturday prime time NFL playoff game, an adjusted 9.9 rating (up from an 8.5 fast national rating). A 9.9 rating is great for a Saturday night but not very good for a second-round NFL playoff game, however.
NBC plunged into third place with a 2.14 rating for the week, down from 2.74 last week. And this rating includes a very good Sunday powered by the Golden Globe Awards (a 5.4 in the fast nationals, which should rise to a 5.8 in the official nationals — well ahead of the 5.0 for last year’s show). The other six nights this past week peaked on Monday with a 2.3, while Tuesday through Friday ranged between a soft 1.2 and 1.9. (Saturday was its usual dreadful 0.5 rating). Without Sunday Night Football, The Voice and now without the Golden Globes this coming week, NBC should start to see weeks routinely under a 2 rating for a few months.
ABC is headed for a 1.88 weekly rating, up from last week (1.44) but still mired in fourth place.
SEASON TO DATE through 16 weeks (with adjusted fast national ratings for the last three nights):
NBC is now averaging a 2.67 adult 18-49 rating in prime time (up 17% from the same period last year).
CBS is in second place with a 2.24 (down 15%).
FOX is in third place with a 2.13 (down 17%).
ABC is in fourth with a 1.87 (down 12%).
Collectively, the four networks total an 8.91 rating (down 7% from 9.59 the same period last year).
The CW is averaging a 0.54 in prime so far this season (down 12%).
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