Primetime Ratings, Friday, 2/28/14

ABC and CBS split the Friday victory.

'Last Man Standing' began ABC's night by dropping three tenths to a 1.2. 'The Neighbors' dipped one tenths to a 1.0. 'Shark Tank' turned things around, rocketing up four tenths to a 2.1., and winning the night in demos. '20/20' also rose four tenths, earning a 1.8.

Over on the Eye, everything returned down. 'Undercover Boss' plunged four tenths to a 1.3. 'Hawaii Five-0' also decreased four tenths, posting a 1.4. 'Blue Bloods' dropped two tenths, garnering a 1.4 of its own. 'Enlisted' and Raising Hope' scored matching 0.6s for FOX, and are both likely done soon.

Finally, 'Dateline' started off NBC's night with a 1.2. 'Grimm' followed that by falling ever so slightly to a 1.4, tying 'Hawaii' and 'Blue' for the title of Friday's highest rated scripted show. Critically acclaimed, yet low rated drama 'Hannibal' returned way up from the 0.6 last year's season finale drew, earning a 1.1. Unfortunately, that number is down half a point from the 1.6 the series premiere earned.

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

8PM

CBS - Undercover Boss (N) - 1.3 - 5 - 7.55

ABC - Last Man Standing (N) - 1.2 - 5 - 6.37

NBC - Dateline - 1.2 - 5 - 6.23

FOX - Bones (R) - 0.8 - 3 - 3.42

CW - Whose Line is it Anyway? (R) - 0.4 - 2 - 1.34

8:30PM

ABC - The Neighbors (N) - 1.0 - 4 - 4.25

CW - Whose Line is it Anyway? (R) - 0.5 - 2 - 1.49

9PM

ABC - Shark Tank (N) - 2.1 - 7 - 7.79

CBS - Hawaii Five-0 (N) - 1.4 - 5 - 10.61

NBC - Grimm (N) - 1.4 - 5 - 5.32

FOX - Enlisted (N) - 0.6 - 2 - 1.90

CW - Star-Crossed (R) - 0.2 - 1 - 0.57

9:30PM

FOX - Raising Hope (N) - 0.6 - 2 - 1.80

10PM

ABC - 20/20 (N) - 1.8 - 6 - 7.32

CBS - Blue Bloods (N) - 1.4 - 5 - 11.96

NBC - Hannibal (Season Premiere) - 1.1 - 4 - 3.27

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.

Last Man Standing - Guaranteed Renewal

The Neighbors - Guaranteed Cancellation

Hawaii Five-0 - Guaranteed Renewal

Blue Bloods - Guaranteed Renewal

Hart of Dixie - Likely Renewal

Enlisted - Guaranteed Cancellation

Raising Hope - Guaranteed Cancellation

Grimm - Guaranteed Renewal

Hannibal - Too Soon to Tell