The reality series was both the highest-rated and most-watched broadcast title in primetime
But despite the strong showing, CBS was not actually the most-watched network on the night. That honor belongs to ABC, which drew 2.8 million total average viewers across primetime. Never a dull moment when it comes to broadcast battles.
Here’s how primetime shook out among the major networks Thursday:
CBS was first in the ratings with a 0.4 average rating in the advertiser-friendly 18-49 demo, but second in total average viewers with 2.7 million, according to official live plus same-day Nielsen data. A rerun of the network staple and hit prequel series “Young Sheldon” kicked off primetime at 8 p.m. with a 0.3 demo rating and 3.1 million total viewers. At 8:30, a rerun of breakout sitcom “Ghosts” — which returns with new episodes this fall — notched a 0.3 rating and 2.7 million total viewers. “Big Brother” took home the aforementioned ratings crown with a hefty 0.8 score and 3.5 million total viewers. Finally, a rerun of “CSI: Las Vegas” closed out primetime with a 0.2 demo score and 1.6 million total viewers. CBS audiences are really getting their money’s worth lately.
ABC was second in the ratings with a 0.3 average demo score, and first in total average viewers with 2.8 million. At 8, “Press Your Luck” proved mighty lucky with a strong 0.5 score in the 18-49 target range, not to mention 3.4 million total viewers. It was the second highest-rated and most-watched show on broadcast during Thursday’s primetime lineups. It was followed at 9 by “Generation Gap,” which also performed with a 0.4 demo score and 3.1 million total viewers. And at 10, “The Con” conjured up a 0.2 rating score and 2 million total viewers.
NBC was third in the ratings with a 0.2 average demo score and 2.2 million total average viewers. The Peacock aired a night of trusty “Law & Order” reruns. It began at 8 with “Law & Order” (0.2, 2.3 million) before segueing into “Law & Order: SVU” (0.3, 2.6 million) at 9 and then “Law & Order: Organized Crime” (0.2, 1.8 million) at 10.
Fox was fourth in the ratings with a 0.2 average demo score but just 858,000 total average viewers. “MasterChef” cooked up a 0.2 in the demo ratings and 1.1 million total viewers. Then audiences were hit with back-to-back reruns of “Welcome to Flatch” — the first episode notched a 0.1 rating and 575,000 total viewers while the second episode garnered a 0.1 rating and 528,000 total viewers, respectively.
The CW was fifth in the ratings with a 0.0 average demo score and 316,000 total average viewers. At 8, “Walker” earned a 0.0 demo score and 352,000 total viewers and at 9 “The Flash” stumbled to a 0.0 rating and 281,000 total viewers.
Neither Fox nor The CW airs primetime programming at 10 p.m.
Among the Spanish-language networks, Univision finished first with a 0.3 average demo rating and 967,000 total average viewers. “Mexicana Y El Guero” started primetime with a 0.2 score in the ad-friendly audience target and 874,000 total viewers. “La Herencia, Un Legado de Amor” was next at 9 with a strong 0.3 rating and 1.1 million total viewers. And “Mujer De Nadie” closed things out at 10 with a 0.3 demo score and 894,000 total viewers.
Telemundo was second in the ratings with a 0.2 demo score and 1.1 million total average viewers. “Casa De Famosos,” which ran from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., earned a 0.3 demo rating and 1.2 million total viewers. “Amor Valiente,” which ran from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m., earned a 0.2 demo score and 969,000 total viewers.
