Thursday’s ratings are more subject to change than usual, as every broadcast network had at least one local pre-emption for NFL preseason games. ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC had multiple pre-emptions, inflating the Nielsen numbers pretty much across the board.
So, pending updates:
Big Brother remained on top of the charts in prime time, currently showing a 2.0 rating in adults 18-49. The CBS reality show will probably come down to its normal 1.5-1.6 range in the finals.
NBC’s Trial & Error likely has the biggest inflation of the night. Its first two weeks averaged a 0.5 in the 18-49 demo, but Thursday’s episodes are currently showing 1.1 and 1.0. Expect some sizable downward adjustments, though the America’s Got Talent clip show that preceded it may provide a little bit of a bump.
ABC’s The Gong Show (0.8), Match Game (1.0) and Take Two (0.8) are likewise inflated. This post will be updated when final ratings come in Friday afternoon.
CBS led the network race for the night and currently has a 1.5 rating in the 18-49 demo. Fox (which aired a pair of MasterChef reruns) and NBC are tied for second at 1.1, and ABC stands at 0.9. A pair of repeats on The CW averaged 0.3, pending updates.
In the finals, everything came down after adjusting for the NFL pre-emptions. Here are the final adults 18-49 ratings for Thursday’s originals.
ABC: The Gong Show, 0.4; Match Game, 0.6; Take Two 0.6 (season high)
CBS: Big Brother, 1.4
NBC: Trial & Error, 0.4 at 9 p.m., 0.3 at 9:30
Final network averages are: CBS, 0.9; ABC and Fox, 0.6; NBC, 0.5; and The CW, 0.1.
Aug. 10, 1:27 p.m. Updated with final ratings numbers.
