Millions of Americans may not need or want Donald Trump, but NBC sure does.
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s debut as NBC reality competition host on Monday night was beaten down by “The Bachelor” — it couldn’t even keep pace with CBS sitcoms in terms of total viewers.
“Celebrity Apprentice” averaged just a 1.3 rating/4 share in the key 18-49 demographic and 4.9 million viewers overall. The prior cycle’s regular-slot Monday start put up a 2.0/6 in the main demo, and had 6.5 million viewers overall. That winter 2015 season technically previewed on a Sunday, however, which scored better numbers (2.4 and 6.8 million viewers) against less competition.
ABC was first in ratings with a 1.8/6 in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic and second in total viewers with an average of 5.6 million, according to preliminary numbers. “The Bachelor” at 8 p.m. posted a 2.1/6 — a low for a premiere — and 6.6 million viewers. After-show “Jimmy Kimmel Live: Here for the Right Reasons” at 10 had a 1.1/4 and 3.6 million viewers.
NBC was second in ratings with a 1.3/4 and third in viewers with 4.8 million. Following “The Apprentice” premiere at 8, “The Wall” at 10 had a 1.2/4 and 4.5 million viewers.
CBS was third in ratings with a 1.2/4, but first in viewers with 6.6 million. “Kevin Can Wait” at 8 received a 1.4/4 and 7.3 million viewers. At 8:30, “Man With a Plan” got a 1.2/4 and 6.5 million viewers. At 9, “2 Broke Girls” had a 1.3/4 and 5.8 million viewers. “The Odd Couple” at 9:30 garnered a 1.0/3 and 5.3 million viewers. “Scorpion” at 10 closed primetime to a 1.2/4 and 7.2 million viewers.
Fox was fourth in ratings with a 0.9/3 and in viewers with 2.9 million. A “MasterChef Celebrity Showdown” special was the only telecast on its primetime schedule.
Univision and Telemundo tied for fifth in ratings, both with a 1.2/4. Univision was fifth in total viewers, with 1.9 million, Telemundo was sixth with 1.8 million.
The CW was seventh in ratings with a 0.3/1 and in viewers with 923,000. Night 2 of the “iHeartRadio Music Festival” was the lone broadcast on the youngest-skewing net’s schedule.