“BattleBots” hauled in some big numbers on Thursday, but those come with an equally large asterisk.
Each of the Big 4 broadcast networks were inflated last night by local NFL preseason preemptions. In other words, they’re all subject to adjust down in final Nielsen numbers.
For now, CBS was first in ratings with a 1.7 rating/6 share in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic and in total viewers with an average of 6.9 million, according to preliminary numbers. The network aired the New York Jets versus Philadelphia Eagles.
ABC and Fox tied for second in ratings, both with a 1.3/5. ABC was second in total viewers with 5.2 million, Fox was third with 5 million.
For ABC, Hour 1 of the “BattleBots” finale earned a 1.3/5 and 5.5 million viewers. Hour 2 posted a 1.4/5 and 5.7 million viewers. Those numbers would be excellent for the fighting-robot competition, but they were certainly boosted by local pigskin. A rerun followed.
Fox ran repeats, except in those markets that enjoyed some pro football.
NBC was fourth in ratings with a 1.2/4 and in viewers with 4.5 million, running the the New York Giants vs. New England Patriots.
Telemundo was fifth in ratings with a 0.7/2 and in viewers with 1.6 million.
The CW and Univision tied for sixth in ratings, both with a 0.5/2. CW was sixth in total viewers with 1.5 million, running reruns; Univision was seventh with 1.4 million.