Ratings: NBC’s ‘Chicago Fire’ Season Premiere Flames Out Versus Last Year’s

Dick Wolf procedural still manages to rise from its finale on Democratic debate night

Chicago Fire

NBC’s “Chicago Fire” premiere dropped 31 percent in the key 18-49 demographic versus last year’s opening episode, though the Dick Wolf procedural managed to rise from its season finale on CNN’s Democratic debate night.

A number of shows dipped by double digits last night against the stiff political competition and baseball playoff games on cable.

With “The Voice,” NBC topped Tuesday in the main demo; CBS sat atop the total viewer rankings.

NBC was first in ratings with a 1.8 rating/6 share in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic and second in total viewers with an average of 7.3 million, according to preliminary numbers. “Best Time Ever” at 8 p.m. got a 1.2/4 and 4.5 million viewers. “The Voice” at 9 dropped 32 percent from its latest original to a 2.5/7 — which was still good enough to top the night — and had 9.9 million viewers. “Chicago Fire” at 10 debuted to a 1.8/6 and 7.4 million viewers.

CBS was second in ratings with a 1.6/5 and first in viewers with 12 million. “NCIS” at 8 posted a 2.0/7 and night-high 15.7 million viewers. “NCIS: New Orleans” at 9 received a 1.5/4 and 12.3 million viewers. “Limitless” at 10 had a 1.4/5 and 8.1 million viewers.

ABC was third in ratings with a 1.2/4 and in viewers with 3.5 million. “The Muppets” at 8 slid 24 percent to a 1.3/5 and had 4.5 million viewers. “Fresh Off the Boat” at 8:30 dipped 22 percent to a 1.4/4 and got 4.1 million viewers. “Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD” at 9 managed a 1.4/4 and 3.7 million viewers. A rerun followed.

Fox and the CW tied for fourth in ratings, both with a 0.9/3. Fox was fourth in total viewers with 2.6 million, CW was fifth with 2.3 million.

For Fox, “Grandfathered” at 8 received a 1.0/3 — down two-tenths of a ratings point –and 3.1 million viewers. “The Grinder” at 8:30 had a 0.9/3 — down a tenth — and 2.5 million viewers. “Scream Queens” at 9 posted a 1.0/3 — down two-tenths — and 2.5 million viewers.

For CW, “The Flash” at 8 had a 1.3/4 and 3.3 million viewers. At 9, “iZombie” got a 0.5/2 — down 29 percent from last week’s season premiere — and 1.4 million viewers.

Univision was sixth in ratings with a 0.8/2 and in viewers with 2.2 million.

Telemundo was seventh in ratings with a 0.7/2 and in viewers with 1.7 million.

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