Ratings: ‘America’s Got Talent’ Winner Reveal Sinks 31 Percent From Last Year
New NBC sitcom “I Feel Bad” has decent debut after “AGT” season finale
Tony Maglio | September 20, 2018 @ 8:33 AM
Last Updated: September 20, 2018 @ 9:00 AM
Photo by: Trae Patton/NBC
(Spoiler alert: Please do not read on if you haven’t watched Wednesday’s finale of “America’s Got Talent.”)
Did magician Shin Lim just make much of the “America’s Got Talent” audience disappear? That appears to be the case when comparing the Season 13 finale with last summer’s final episode.
“AGT” sunk 31 percent in TV ratings from 2017’s Season 12 finale when Darci Lynne Farmer won the competition. That previous coronation had hit a six-year high in the key 18-49 demographic. This time around, not so much.
Still, NBC easily won each half-hour of primetime — including the final two, when it debuted new sitcom “I Feel Bad.” “I Feel Bad” didn’t do badly, but its second episode could not hold the series premiere’s “Talent”-boosted Nielsen numbers.
NBC was first in ratings with a 1.7 rating/8 in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic and in total viewers with an average of 10.2 million, according to preliminary numbers. “America’s Got Talent” from 8 to 10 p.m. averaged a 2.0/10 and 12.6 million viewers. The “I Feel Bad” premiere at 10 had a 1.2/5 and 6.6 million viewers. A second episode at 10:30 slipped to a 0.8/4 and 4.2 million viewers.
Fox was second in ratings with a 1.0/5 and third in viewers with 3.6 million. The “MasterChef” season finale was the only show on Fox’s schedule, putting up those numbers.
CBS was third in ratings with a 0.8/4 and second in viewers with 3.7 million. “Big Brother” at 8 put up a 1.4/7 and 5.5 million viewers. Reruns followed.
ABC was fourth in ratings with a 0.6/3 and in viewers with 2.4 million, airing all repeats.
Telemundo was fifth in ratings with a 0.5/2 and in viewers with 1.5 million.
Univision was sixth in ratings with a 0.3/2 and in viewers with 901,000.
The CW was seventh in ratings with a 0.1/1 and in viewers with 572,000. “Burden of Truth” at 8 received a 0.1/1 and 712,000 viewers. A rerun followed.
'America's Got Talent': 10 Best Golden Buzzer Performances (Videos)
Mandy Harvey
The deaf singer inspired fans and the judges, and earned Simon Cowell's Golden Buzzer when she performed an original song on the show in the summer of 2017.
Darci Lynne
The 12-year-old ventriloquist got Mel B.'s Golden Buzzer when she sang a song with her puppet. At the beginning of her performance, she said her goal was to "keep ventriloquism alive."
Courtney Hadwin
The nervous 13-year-old went on stage but quickly wowed audiences when she started singing "Hard to Handle," with many likening her to Janis Joplin.
Simon Cowell's reaction was priceless, and she ended up scoring Howie Mandel's Golden Buzzer.
Dorothy Williams
The 90-year-old lady treated the judges and "AGT" fans to a little dance that took many by surprise. In the end, Nick Cannon ran over the judges table to give her the Golden Buzzer.
Angelica Hale
The 9-year-old Angelica Hale stunned the audiences with her own rendition of Alicia Keys' "Girl On Fire." The judges couldn't stop smiling and in the end, guest judge Chris Hardwick pressed the Golden Buzzer.
Craig Lewis Band
The singing duo sang a cover of Mary J. Blige's "I'm Goin' Down," scoring the Golden Buzzer from guest judge Michael Bublé.
Light Balance
One of the most epic performances to ever hit the "AGT" stage, Light Balance performed a stunning dance and light show to amazing songs -- to the point where Tyra Banks couldn't stop herself from hitting the Golden Buzzer.
Grace VanderWaal
Then 12-year-old Grace VanderWaal scored the Golden Buzzer in 2016 when she wowed everyone with her ukulele and singing skills. She even performed an original song. She has since released her own EP and has performed at Madison Square Garden and various other benefit concerts.
Angel City Chorale
We dare you to watch this performance and try not to get goosebumps. Olivia Munn hit the Golden Buzzer after barely getting through the act without tearing up.
Christian Guardino
The 16-year-old got a standing ovation after his singing performance, and was awarded the Golden Buzzer by Howie Mandel.
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From epic light shows to singing sensations, the NBC talent show has seen some stellar performances over the years
Mandy Harvey
The deaf singer inspired fans and the judges, and earned Simon Cowell's Golden Buzzer when she performed an original song on the show in the summer of 2017.
