Ratings: Blackout Schmackout – CBS Doesn’t Need TWC to Win Thursday Night Outright

"Big Brother" is highest-rated on the evening

Even without being broadcast via Time Warner Cable in New York, Los Angeles and Dallas, CBS took the top spot outright — despite going against NBC's "The Winner Is" finale.

CBS was first in ratings with a 1.9 rating/6 share in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic and first in total viewers with an average of 6.6 million, according to preliminary numbers. This despite still being blacked out by Time Warner Cable in three major markets due to the ongoing retransmission fee dispute.

In between reruns, "Big Brother" at 9 p.m. earned a 2.5/8, making it the highest-rated program of the evening. It had 7.1 million viewers.

Also read: How 'Scandal,' 'Pretty Little Liars,' and 'Idol' Became Top Shows on Twitter

NBC was second in ratings with a 1.4/4 and in total viewers with 5 million. Following a rerun at 8, "The Winner Is" finale at 9 earned a 1.4/4 and 5.2 million viewers. "Hollywood Game Night" at 10 benefitted from the finale lead-in, receiving a 1.5/5 and 4.7 million viewers, up 25 percent from last week.

Univision was third in ratings with a 1.3/4 and fourth in total viewers with 3.2 million viewers.

ABC was in fourth in ratings with a 1.1/4 and third in total viewers with 4.7 million. "Wipeout" at 8 earned a 1.1/4 and 4.2 million viewers. At 9, "Motive" received a 1.0/3 and 4.8 million viewers, up 25 percent from prior week. "Rookie Blue" at 10 was up 20 percent with a 1.2/4 and 5.1 million viewers.

Fox was in fifth in ratings with a 0.8/3 and in viewers with 2.3 million, airing entirely reruns.

Telemundo was sixth in ratings with a 0.5/2 and in total viewers with 1.2 million.

The CW was seventh in ratings with a 0.3/1 and in total viewers, with 763,000. It aired entirely repeats.

Also read: CBS Blasts Time Warner Cable for Harming 'Innocent Victims'; TWC Accuses Network of 'Punitive Conduct' 

As an added bonus today, in an attempt to uncomplicate a complicated retransmission negotiation, TheWrap debated the CBS and Time Warner Cable dispute through the magic of role play below.

Lucas Shaw played the part of Time Warner, while Tony Maglio represented CBS.

Watch the video:

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