Primetime Ratings, Thursday, 4/3/14

 

 

CBS once again won Thursday in all measures.

'The Big Bang Theory' started things off by matching the 4.9 its most recent episode drew a few weeks back. 'The Millers' shot up four tenths to a 2.8. 'Two and a Half Men' bumped up a single tenth to a 2.5. 'The Crazy Ones' matched the 1.7 it's drawn several times recently. It's still a bit of a mystery to me why 'Mom' was renewed instead of 'Crazy,' as the latter's seasonal average is actually higher. Never discount the power of Chuck Lorre I guess. 'Elementary' fell two tenths to a 1.5.

Over on ABC, the series finale of 'Once Upon a Time in Wonderland' earned a 0.9. Lead-out 'Grey's Anatomy' wasn't effected by the bad lead-in, rising a tenth to a 2.7. 'Scandal' dipped two tenths to a 2.9, but still easily topped 10 p.m. in all measures.

FOX's 'Hell's Kitchen' fell just slightly, posting a 1.8. 'American Idol' dropped two tenths to a 1.7, setting yet another new all-time low for the once dominant reality behemoth. Last week marked the first ever instance of 'Idol' falling below 2.0, and this proves it wasn't an isolated incident. 'Surviving Jack' dipped a tenth to a 1.2, but (citing 'The Mindy Project's new precedent), I'm going to wait another week before I make an official prediction as to whether a 1.2 is enough for a renewal.

NBC had an awful night, with three of its four offerings experiencing downward movement. First off, it may be time for 'Community' fans to panic, as the cult comedy fell two tenths to a 0.9. This marks the first time Dan Harmon's deconstructive sitcom has fallen below the 1.0 threshold. 'Parks & Recreation' followed that by dropping a tenth to a 1.1. 'Hollywood Game Night' rose a tenth to a 1.1, and was the Peacock's only bright spot. Finally, 'Parenthood' dipped two tenths to a 1.2.

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

8PM

CBS - The Big Bang Theory (N) - 4.9 - 18 - 17.73

FOX - Hell's Kitchen (N) - 1.8 - 6 - 4.99

ABC - Once Upon a Time in Wonderland (Series Finale) - 0.9 - 3 - 3.38

NBC - Community (N) - 0.9 - 3 - 2.50

CW -  The Vampire Diaries (R) - 0.3 - 1 - 0.80

8:30PM

CBS - The Millers (N) - 2.8 - 9 - 11.35

NBC - Parks & Recreation (N) - 1.1. - 4 - 2.67

9PM

ABC - Grey's Anatomy (N) - 2.7 - 8 - 8.28

CBS - Two and a Half Men (N) - 2.5 - 7 - 9.23

FOX - American Idol (N) - 1.7 - 5 - 7.72

NBC - Hollywood Game Night (N) - 1.1 - 3 - 3.12

CW - Reign (R) - 0.3 - 1 - 0.89

9:30PM

CBS - The Crazy Ones (N) - 1.7 - 5 - 6.53

FOX - Surviving Jack (N) - 1.2 - 3 - 4.53

10PM

ABC - Scandal (N) - 2.9 - 9 - 9.13

CBS - Elementary (N) - 1.5 - 5 - 7.83

NBC - Parenthood (N) - 1.2 - 4 - 3.76

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.)

Newly updated predictions are in bold.

Once Upon a Time in Wonderland - Guaranteed Cancellation Canceled 3/28/14 *Correct Prediction

Grey's Anatomy - Guaranteed Renewal

Scandal - Guaranteed Renewal

The Big Bang Theory - Guaranteed Renewal Renewed 3/12/14 *Correct Prediction

The Millers - Guaranteed Renewal Renewed 3/13/14 *Correct Prediction

Two and a Half Men - Likely Renewal Renewed 3/13/14 *Correct Prediction

The Crazy Ones - Likely Cancellation

Elementary - Likely Renewal Renewed 3/13/14 *Correct Prediction

The Vampire Diaries - Already Renewed

Reign - Already Renewed

Surviving Jack - Too Soon to Tell

Community - Likely Renewal

Parks and Recreation - Guaranteed Renewal Renewed 3/19/14 *Correct Prediction

Parenthood - Likely Renewal

Prediction Stats

Shows correctly predicted (so far) - 22
ABC - Mind Games, Once Upon a Time in Wonderland
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: 88%