A lot of people will be debating that ending: CBS’ series finale of “How I Met Your Mother” hit all-time highs on Monday in both the key demographic and total viewers.
The comedy was easily the top-rated show in primetime with a 5.3 rating/16 share — up 51 percent from last week — in the advertiser-sought 18-49 demo. It pulled in 12.9 million total viewers. Afterwards, “Friends With Better Lives” premiered to a 2.7/7 and 8 million viewers.
But NBC still won the night in both ratings and viewers.
Also read: ‘How I Met Your Mother’ Spinoff: 5 Things We Know So Far
NBC averaged a 3.2 rating/9 share in the key demo and 11.9 million total viewers, according to preliminary numbers. “The Voice” at 9 p.m. earned a 3.4/9 and 12.1 million viewers. At 10, “The Blacklist” received a 2.8/8 and 11.4 million viewers.
CBS was second in ratings with a 3.0/8 and third in viewers with 8.7 million. “How I Met Your Mother” aired at 8, followed by “Friends With Better Lives” at 9.i At 9:30, “Mom” earned a 2.2/6 and 7.2 million viewers. At 10, “Intelligence” received a 1.2/4 and 5.5 million viewers.
Also read: ‘How I Met Your Mother’ Finale: Oh My God, That Totally Happened!
ABC was third in ratings with a 1.8/5 and second in viewers with 11.6 million. “Dancing With the Stars” at 8 earned a 2.2/6 and 13.7 million viewers — the most total viewers of the night. A rerun followed.
Fox was fourth in ratings with a 1.4/4 and in viewers with 4.9 million. “Bones” at 8 received a 1.5/4 and 5.6 million viewers. “The Following” at 9 got a 1.4/4 and 4.2 million viewers.
Also read: ‘How I Met Your Mother’ Finale: The Series’ Ratings Highs and Lows
Univision was fifth in ratings with a 1.2/3 and in total viewers with 2.8 million.
Telemundo was sixth in ratings with a 0.4/1 and 1.1 million viewers.
The CW was seventh in ratings with a 0.4/1 and in total viewers with 1.1 million. It was the network’s most-watched Monday in more than a year. “Star-Crossed” at 8 had a 0.4/1, “The Tomorrow People” at 9 got a 0.5/1, and both shows had 1.1 million viewers.