“Empire” ended its fifth season Wednesday night with a boost in ratings and the shocking reveal of who has been inside that casket all season long. The Fox hip-hop drama grew from last week’s episode, scoring a 1.2 rating in the sought-after adults 18-49 demographic and 4.1 million total viewers.
(We won’t spoil the coffin twist in this story, but you can read our interview with “Empire” showrunner about that plot point and Jussie Smollett’s future on the series here.)
Fox was first in ratings with a 1.1 rating/5 share in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic and third in total viewers with an average of 3.8 million, according to preliminary numbers. At 8 p.m., the “Empire” fifth season finale posted the previously mentioned 1.2 and 4.1 million viewers, plus a 6 share. At 9, the “Star” season-closer got a 1.0/4 and 3.5 million viewers.
NBC and CBS tied for second in ratings, both with a 1.0/4. NBC was first in total viewers with 7.3 million and CBS was second with 5.3 million.
For NBC, “Chicago Med” at 8 put up a 1.0/5 and 7.7 million viewers. At 9, “Chicago Fire” received a 1.0/4 and 7.7 million viewers. At 10, “Chicago P.D.” had a 0.9/4 and 6.3 million viewers.
For CBS, “Survivor” at 8 landed a 1.4/7 and 7.2 million viewers. At 9, “The Amazing Race” took a 0.8/4 and 4.5 million viewers. At 10, “SEAL Team” managed a 0.6/3 and 4.1 million viewers.
ABC was fourth in ratings with 0.8/4 and in viewers with 3.4 million. “The Goldbergs” opened a night of sitcom finales at 8 with a 1.1/5 and 4.7 million viewers. At 8:30, “Schooled” ended its first season with a 0.9/4 and 3.9 million viewers. At 9, the “Modern Family” Season 10 finale earned a 1.0/5 and 4.4 million viewers. At 9:30, “Single Parents” Season 1 closed with a 0.7/3 and 2.6 million viewers. At 10, “Whiskey Cavalier” settled for a 0.4/2 and 2.5 million viewers.
Telemundo was fifth in ratings with a 0.5/2 and in viewers with 1.4 million.
Univision was sixth in ratings with a 0.4/2 and in viewers with 1.2 million.
The CW was seventh in ratings with a 0.3/1 and in viewers with 758,000. At 8, “Riverdale” had a 0.3/1 and 811,000 viewers. At 9, “Jane the Virgin” got a 0.3/1 and 705,000 viewers.