Monday’s final “Bachelorette” rose didn’t bloom quite as brightly as Summer 2016’s season-ending episode. Still, ABC comfortably won primetime in both the key demographic and among total viewers, with NBC finishing in second place.
The year-ago “Bachelorette” finale averaged a 2.5 rating among adults 18-49 and 8.572 million total viewers, running from 8 p.m. to 10:01 p.m. Back then, ABC broke out the reunion separately, which got a 2.3 and 8.097 million viewers from 10:01 p.m. to 11 p.m. Last night’s numbers — and an explanation of the format change — are below.
But first, here’s a rarity worth pointing out: CBS settled for sixth place in the main demo, airing a bunch of sitcom reruns and another weak “On Assignment” original.
ABC was first in ratings with a 2.1 rating/8 share in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic and in total viewers with an average of 7.5 million, according to preliminary numbers. A three-hour finale for the dating show — which included cut-ins of the live reunion — was the only broadcast on the network’s primetime schedule. Comparing 8-11 last night versus the same window last year, ABC was down 12.5 percent in the key demo.
NBC was second in ratings with a 1.3/5 and in viewers with 5.2 million. “American Ninja Warrior” at 8 posted a 1.5/6 and 6.3 million viewers. At 10, “Midnight, Texas” had a 0.8/3 and 3.1 million viewers.
Fox, Univision and Telemundo tied for third in ratings, each with a 0.7/3. Fox was fourth in total viewers with 2.7 million; Univision was fifth with 2.3 million; Telemundo was sixth with 1.8 million.
Fox aired just “So You Think You Can Dance” last night.
CBS was sixth in ratings with a 0.5/2, but third in total viewers with 3.2 million. Following repeats, “On Assignment” at 10 settled for a 0.4/2 and 2.5 million viewers.
The CW was seventh in ratings with a 0.2/1 and in viewers with 1.2 million. After a rerun, “Hooten and the Lady” at 9 managed a 0.2/1 and 1.1 million viewers.