Primetime Ratings, Friday, 3/21/14

 

 

ABC won Friday in all measures, due to CBS' usual line-up again being preempted by NCAA basketball.

'The Neighbors' rose a tenth to a 0.9, remaining consistent, if nothing else. 'Shark Tank' rose a tenth to a 2.1, which means it actually topped 'American Idol' this week. Of course, that says more about 'Idol' than it does about 'Tank.' '20/20' dropped a single tenth to a 1.8. CBS' March Madness coverage did slightly better than Thursday, although it still spent most of the night in the low 1s.

'Dateline' shot up three tenths to a 1.4 for NBC. Recently renewed drama 'Grimm' fell just slightly to a 1.5. In a good sign for its renewal prospects, 'Hannibal' matched last week's 0.9. While a 0.9 would normally be nothing to write home about, 'Hannibal' got renewed while drawing 0.7s last year.

The CW's season premiere of 'Whose Line is it Anyway?' disappointed in a big way, earning only a 0.6 rating. That's down a whopping half a point from the 1.1 last season's opener drew. A second episode stayed flat, also earning a 0.6. That's down six tenths from last season's second outing.

'Hart of Dixie' moved to Fridays in a decidedly underwhelming manor, matching the 0.3 its last Monday broadcast earned. I still believe 'Hart' will squeak out a fourth season renewal, but I highly doubt the show sees a fifth. One network The CW actually outstripped was FOX, which continues to totally concede Friday nights. 'Rake' matched last week's pathetic 0.5, while 'Raising Hope' fell to a 0.4.

Key: Broadcast Network - Show Name - 18-49 Rating - 18-49 Share - Total Viewers In Millions

8PM

NBC - Dateline (N) - 1.4 - 5 - 7.62

CBS - NCAA March Madness (Cal Poly/Wichita State) - 1.0 - 4 - 3.32

ABC - Last Man Standing (R) - 0.9 - 4 - 4.49

CW - Whose Line is it Anyway? (Season Premiere) - 0.6 - 2 - 1.74

FOX - Rake (N) - 0.5 - 2 - 1.90

8:30PM

ABC - The Neighbors (N) - 0.9 - 3 - 3.67

CW - Whose Line is it Anyway? (N) - 0.6 - 2 - 1.74

9PM

ABC - Shark Tank (N) - 2.1 - 7 - 8.29

NBC - Grimm (N) - 1.5 - 5 - 5.71

FOX - Enlisted (R) - 0.4 - 1 - 1.18

CW - Hart of Dixie (N) - 0.3 - 1 - 1.03

9:30PM

CBS - NCAA March Madness (Pre & Post Game) - 1.3 - 5 - 4.28

FOX - Raising Hope (N) - 0.4 - 1 - 1.38

10PM

ABC - 20/20 (N) - 1.8 - 6 - 8.51

CBS - NCAA March Madness (Kansas State/Kentucky) - 1.5 - 5 - 4.65

NBC - Hannibal (N) - 0.9 - 3 - 2.69

Source: Nielsen Media Research

PRIMETIME PROGNOSTICATION

The five main factors I consider when making a prediction are thus:

1. Does the show win its timeslot, and how often? (CW shows are exempt from this criteria.)

2. How do the show's ratings compare to similar programs on the same network? (Self explanatory.)

3. How long has the show been on the air? (Veteran series are always more likely to get renewed.)

4. Does the show have any high-profile leads? (Never discount star power.)

5. How much does the show cost to make? (Approximately, exact TV budgets are hard to come by.)

Note: Ratings expectations for shows airing on Friday night are generally lower.

Newly updated predictions are in bold.

Last Man Standing - Guaranteed Renewal

The Neighbors - Guaranteed Cancellation

Hawaii Five-0 - Guaranteed Renewal Renewed 3/13/14 *Correct Prediction

Blue Bloods - Guaranteed Renewal Renewed 3/13/14 *Correct Prediction

Hart of Dixie - Likely Renewal

Rake - Guaranteed Cancellation

Enlisted - Guaranteed Cancellation

Raising Hope - Guaranteed Cancellation Canceled 3/10/14 *Correct Prediction

Grimm - Guaranteed Renewal Renewed 3/19/14 *Correct Prediction

Hannibal - Likely Renewal

Prediction Stats

Shows correctly predicted (so far) - 20
CBS - 2 Broke Girls, The Big Bang Theory, Blue Bloods, Criminal Minds, CSI, Elementary, The Good Wife, Hawaii Five-0, The Millers, NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles, Person of Interest, Two and a Half Men
FOX - Brooklyn Nine-Nine, New Girl, Raising Hope
NBC - Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., Grimm, Parks and Recreation

Shows incorrectly predicted (so far) - 3 - The Following, The Mindy Project, Mom

Current accuracy rate: 87%