Well, apparently “Roseanne” can be beaten in Nielsen numbers after all.
ABC’s revival of the popular ’80s and ’90s sitcom lost its first battle in primetime viewers since its March premiere on Tuesday night, falling beneath CBS’ “NCIS” and “Bull,” which came in first and second, respectively, in total eyeballs.
The procedural took No. 1 with the first part of the show’s farewell to series regular (and fan favorite) Pauley Perrette. (“NCIS” will conclude its goodbye to goth forensic scientist Abby Sciuto on May 8.)
Though “Roseanne” slipped in ratings among the desirable range of adults 18-49 — down approximately 26 percent since airing its last original episode on April 17 — it still won its time slot against its competitors in that key demo. And its Disney-owned broadcaster once again earned the title of ratings king (or queen) for the evening.
ABC was first in ratings with a 1.3 rating/5 share in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic and in total viewers with an average of third in viewers with 4.9 million, according to preliminary numbers. At 8 p.m., “Roseanne” scored a 2.5/12 and 10.3 million viewers. At 8:30, “The Middle” put up a 1.5/6 and 6.1 million viewers. “Black-ish” at 9 had a 1.2/5 and 4.6 million viewers. At 9:30, “Splitting Up Together” took a 1.1/4 and 3.9 million viewers. “For the People” at 10 managed a 0.6/2 and 2.2 million viewers.
CBS was second in ratings with a 1.1/4 and first in viewers with 10.2 million. At 8, “NCIS” earned a 1.2/5 and 12.1 million viewers. At 9, “Bull” posted a 1.1/4 and 10.3 million viewers. “NCIS: New Orleans” at 10 had a 0.9/4 and 8.1 million viewers.
NBC was third in ratings with a 0.9/4 and second in viewers with 5.7 million. At 8, “The Voice” landed a 1.2/5 and 7.5 million viewers. “Rise” at 9 settled for a 0.7/3 and 3.8 million viewers. At 10, “Chicago Med” took a 0.9/4 and 5.8 million viewers.
Fox was fourth in ratings with a 0.6/3 and in viewers with 2.3 million. “Lethal Weapon” at 8 got a 0.7/3 and 3.1 million viewers. At 9, the Season 1 finale of “LA to Vegas” managed a 0.5/2 and 1.8 million viewers. “New Girl” at 9:30 received a 0.5/2 and 1.5 million viewers.
Univision and The CW tied for fifth in ratings with a 0.5/2.
Univision was fifth in viewers with 1.5 million.
The CW was sixth in viewers with 1.4 million. At 8, “The Flash” earned a 0.6/3 and 1.7 million viewers. “The 100” at 9 settled for a 0.4/1 and 1.1 million viewers.
Telemundo was seventh in ratings with a 0.4/2 and in viewers with 1.1 million.