The “Carol Burnett 50th Anniversary Special” drew enough laughs to post an impressive Sunday night audience — but it would have needed more for CBS to outshine NBC on the evening.
A strong NFL game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Seattle Seahawks carried NBC the top of the Nielsen ratings, though the Burnett reunion did boast a shining score in total viewers for an entertainment special.
NBC finished first in ratings with a 4.6 rating/16 share in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic and in total viewers with an average of 14.2 million, according to preliminary numbers. Following the network’s three-part “Football in America” program at 7, the Eagles vs. Seahawks game grabbed a 13.1/22 share from 8:30-11:30 p.m.
Fox was second in ratings with a 2.0/7 and third in viewers with 5.8 million. At 7, the conclusion of the New York Giants vs. Oakland Raiders game took home a 4.5/16 and 14.9 million viewers. At 7:30, “The OT” had a 2.7/10 and 8.3 million viewers. At 8, “The Simpsons” received a 1.7/6 and 4.3 million viewers. At 8:30, “Ghosted” managed a 1.0/3 and 2.6 million viewers. At 9, “Family Guy” got a 1.1/4 and 2.6 million viewers. At 9:30, “The Last Man of Earth” settled for a 0.8/2 and 1.9 million viewers.
CBS was third in ratings with a 1.2/4 and second in viewers with 12 million. At 7, “60 Minutes” landed a 1.2/4 and 11.3 million viewers. From 8-10, “The Carol Burnett 50th Anniversary Special” scored a 1.5/5 and 15.2 million viewers. A repeat followed.
ABC was fourth in ratings with a 0.9/3 and in viewers with 4 million. Following a repeat, a new episode of “America’s Funniest Home Videos” at 8 took a 1.0/3 and 4.5 million viewers. At 9, “Shark Tank” managed a 0.9/3 and 3.7 million viewers. The episode was followed by a repeat.
Univision was fifth in ratings with a 0.4/1 and in viewers with 1.2 million.
Telemundo was sixth in ratings with 0.3/1 and in viewers with 852,000.
The CW does not nationally program Sunday nights.