CW - Being the first network to go hot with four nights of programming sends CW to the top of the ratings post. It also doesn’t hurt that their numbers are quite curious. The quick rundown of the 8 hours looks like this:
The fact that Nikita is getting more viewers than every other show on the network would seem to be a good, and unexpected, early sign for the show. It’s also rather interesting that Gossip Girl finds itself in 7th place where viewers are concerned. However, the real story is most likely told by the younger demo results that the CW covets. Have a look at those same 8 hours in women 18-34.
In that measure, Nikita falls to 7th place while Gossip Girl bounces back to 3rd. So, while the viewer number for Nikita is good, it might not be just what the network was looking for. And, of course, you can expect a lot of these numbers to take a solid hit next week when the big guns come online.
CBS - The big story was the return of Survivor (12.23m/4). It’s rather amazing that in its 21st season, and on a new night, the show is still able to pull these kinds of numbers. And given the competition to come from the other networks, the smart money is on Survivor enjoying a season as the #1 show in that spot. Big Brother (6.66m/2.2 – 7.86m/2.9) came along for the ride, with the Survivor premiere adding a nice little boost to the finale. The other new programming came in the form of Flashpoint (6.15m/1.2) and Fashion’s Night Out (2.72m/.6). Possibly more interesting though was the fact that all four Big Bang repeats on Thursday won their half-hours in viewers and demo. It looks like the show is going to be just fine with the move, which probably doesn’t bode well for Community.
NBC - It must be nice to start the week with Sunday Night Football (25.26m/9.6). And even nicer to follow that up with two huge episodes of America’s Got Talent (14.6m/3.9 – 16.41m/3.9). Things weren’t quite as good in other places. Parenthood (7.6m/2.7) premiered to okay numbers, while Outlaw (10.68m/2.3) had a nice viewer number for its premiere, thanks to the AGT lead-in. Unfortunately, that sampling isn’t going to be worth much when the show is following Dateline next Friday. Where things really get iffy is the premiere of The Apprentice (4.57m/1.5). Those are like Marriage Ref numbers, and that was against no competition. Next week it will face premieres from Private Practice and The Mentalist. Yikes.
ABC - Not much to report here. It was another week that started with The Gates (2.11m/.7), Bachelor Pad (5.79m/1.8), and Dating In The Dark (3.24m/1.2) all doing their usual thing. And, also as usual, Wipeout (7.49m/2.8 – 6.006m/2.6) remained the only thing worth celebrating. Final Witness (4.67m/1.3) got off to a very slow start.
FOX - The week amounted to Lie To Me (5m/1.6) and Masterchef (4.81m/2).
CABLE - Earlier this summer we talked about Covert Affairs (4.59m/1.3 – 5.23m/1.4) and Rizzoli & Isles (6.56m/1.5) making strong debuts. They both wrapped up their first runs this week, and look to have held up as the hits of the summer. The news was not so good for Terriers (.82m/.4). Unless Hank and Britt team up with Patty Hewes in the next few episodes, and get a whole boatload of Emmy nominations, Terriers doesn’t look long for this world. It’s getting doubled up by The League (1.71m/1.1). Other cable numbers…
Basic:
Premium:
Clacked by Brett Love 
on Sep 20, 2010 @ 09:00 EST5EDT
