The 2019 Billboard Music Awards settled for a new record-low rating in the key adults 18-49 demo, but it still dominated Wednesday primetime. Plus, the NBC special actually grew in viewers vs. last year’s show, which aired on a Sunday.
Last night, the BBMAs put up a 2.1 rating and 7.96 million viewers compared to last year’s telecast, which averaged a 2.4 rating in the key demo and 7.88 million viewers. So the 2019 edition is down 12.5 percent in the 18-49 range compared to last year, but up 1 percent in the overall-eyeball count.
It should be noted the 2018 show aired live coast to coast and was able to add in viewers via an encore airing on the West Coast. However, last night’s BBMAs did not air live out west and there was no encore showing for that part of the country.
NBC was first in ratings with a 2.1 rating/10 share in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic and in total viewers with an average of 8 million, according to preliminary numbers. The broadcast network’s entire primetime block was filled by the BBMAs.
CBS and Fox tied for second in ratings, both with a 1.0/5. CBS was second in total viewers with 5.5 million, Fox was fourth with 3.4 million.
For CBS, “Survivor” at 8 p.m. scored a 1.4/7 and 7.2 million viewers. At 9, “The Amazing Race” got a 0.9/4 and 4.6 million viewers. At 10, “SEAL Team” received a 0.7/3 and 4.6 million viewers.
For Fox, “Empire” at 8 scored a 1.1/5 and 3.7 million viewers. At 9, “Star” had a 0.9/4 and 3 million viewers.
ABC was fourth in ratings with 0.7/3 and third in viewers with 3.5 million. At 8, “The Goldbergs” landed a 1.0/5 and 4.5 million viewers. At 8:30, “Schooled” took a 0.8/4 and 3.6 million viewers. “Modern Family” at 9 garnered a 1.0/5 and 4.2 million viewers. At 9:30, “Single Parents” closed the comedy block with a 0.7/3 and 3 million viewers. “Whiskey Cavalier” ended primetime with a 0.5/2 and 2.7 million viewers.
Telemundo was fifth in ratings with a 0.5/2 and in viewers with 1.5 million.
Univision was sixth in ratings with a 0.4/2 and in viewers with 1.3 million.
The CW was seventh in ratings with a 0.2/1 and in viewers with 659,000. At 8, “Riverdale” settled for a 0.2/1 and 729,000 viewers. At 9, “Jane the Virgin” managed a 0.2/1 and 589,000.