But CBS tops Thursday’s primetime averages in key demo with ”Big Brother’s“ 8 p.m. domination
The 2020 Democratic and Republican National Conventions are finally, mercifully over. On Thursday, ABC News topped the 10 p.m. hour with its RNC coverage.
While ABC had the most primetime viewers — on average — last night, CBS edged both ABC and NBC in the key demographic’s ratings. That was thanks to “Big Brother’s” domination among adults 18-49 at 8 o’clock.
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Click Here Already a subscriber? LoginThe below Nielsen numbers are not adjusted for time zones. Therefore, the ratings for CBS, NBC and ABC, which carried Night 4 of the RNC live at 10 p.m. ET, should be considered subject to significant adjustment.
Also Read: ABC's 'United We Fall' Season Finale Rises in Viewers From Last Week
Other interesting notes from Thursday’s broadcast primetime window came from an as-close-as-it-gets battle between the Spanish-language networks, and Fox reruns settling for seventh place in total viewers — below even The CW.
CBS was first in ratings with a 0.5 rating/3 share in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic and in total viewers with an average of 2.34 million, according to preliminary numbers. “Big Brother” at 8 p.m. posted a 1.0/6 and 4 million viewers. “Love Island” at 9 got a 0.4/3 and 1.7 million viewers. Convention coverage at 10 had a 0.2/2 and 1.3 million viewers.
ABC and NBC tied for second in ratings, both with a 0.4/2. ABC was first in total viewers with 2.5 million, NBC was third with 2.26 million.
Also Read: Ratings: 'America's Got Talent' Lifts NBC to Top Tuesday's RNC Hour - and Primetime
For ABC, following reruns, RNC coverage at 10 drew a 0.4/2 and 2.3 million viewers.
For NBC, after repeats, the convention coverage at 10 had a 0.3/2 and 1.8 million viewers.
Telemundo and Univision tied for fourth in ratings, both with a 0.3/2. Telemundo topped Univision for fourth in total viewers by just 1,000 overall audience members, with 1.133 million viewers to Univision’s 1.132 million.
Also Read: Nielsen Names Scott Brown Head of Audience Measurement
Fox was sixth in ratings with a 0.2/1 and seventh in viewers with 779,000, airing all reruns.
The CW was seventh in ratings with a 0.1/1 and sixth in viewers with 796,000. “Mysteries Decoded” at 8 had a 0.2/1 and 860,000 viewers. A rerun followed.
Now that the conventions are wrapped up, we’d say “back to your regularly scheduled program,” but it’s still the end of summer and the middle (we hope) of a pandemic.
18 New Summer TV Shows Ranked by Premiere Viewers, From 'Tough as Nails' to 'United We Fall' (Photos)
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ABC/Fox/CBS/The CWWith all due respect to "America's Got Talent," summer is not exactly the time when Nielsen ratings threaten to fall off the charts -- at least, not the top of the charts. And when it comes to new series, a summer slot isn't generally a vote of confidence from the network.
Due to coronavirus-forced production shutdowns, Summer 2020 has been an especially soft season. Click through our gallery to see how 18 freshman broadcast television shows -- some acquisitions -- fared in total viewers for their premieres this summer.
Also Read: 2020-2021 TV Season: Every Broadcast Show Canceled, Renewed and Ordered – So Far
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The CWRank: 18 Show: "Taskmaster"* Net: The CW Total Viewers: 212,000
*Network debut of U.K. series
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The CW
Rank: 17 Show: "Being Reuben"* Net: The CW Total Viewers: 242,000 *Network debut of U.K. series
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The CW
Rank: 16 Show: "Fridge Wars"* Net: The CW Total Viewers: 398,000
*Network debut of Canadian series
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CBS All Access
Rank: 15 Show: "Tell Me a Story"* Net: The CW Total Viewers: 434,000
*Network debut of CBS All Access series
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The CW
Rank: 14 Show: "Killer Camp"* Net: The CW Total Viewers: 483,000
*Network debut of U.K. series
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The CW
Rank: 13 Show: "Dead Pixels"* Net: The CW Total Viewers: 506,000
*Network debut of U.K. series
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The CW
Rank: 12 Show: "Coroner"* Net: The CW Total Viewers: 715,000
*Network debut of Canadian series
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Fox
Rank: 11 Show: "Labor of Love" Net: Fox Total Viewers: 891,000
Also Read: How ‘Labor of Love’ Producers Found Kristy Katzmann Her Perfect Man/Sperm Donor
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The CW
Rank: 10 Show: "DC's Stargirl"* Net: The CW Total Viewers: 1.224 million *Network debut of DC Universe series
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Fox
Rank: 9 Show: "Celebrity Watch Party" Net: Fox Total Viewers: 1.785 million
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ABC
Rank: 8 Show: "The Bachelor: The Greatest Seasons - Ever!" Net: ABC Total Viewers: 2.412 million
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NBC
Rank: 7 Show: "Cannonball"* Net: NBC Total Viewers: 2.655
*Network debut of USA Network series
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ABC
Rank: 6 Show: "The Genetic Detective" Net: ABC Total Viewers: 3.264 million
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CBS
Rank: 5 Show: "Tough as Nails" Net: CBS Total Viewers: 4.096 million
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ABC
Rank: 4 Show: "Don't" Net: ABC Total Viewers: 4.178 million
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ABC
Rank: 3 Show: "United We Fall" Net: ABC Total Viewers: 4.235 million
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Fox
Rank: 2 Show: "Ultimate Tag" Net: Fox Total Viewers: 4.351 million
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CBS
Rank: 1 Show: "Game On!" Net: CBS Total Viewers: 4.437 million
Nielsen sheets cooled off as the months warmed up
With all due respect to "America's Got Talent," summer is not exactly the time when Nielsen ratings threaten to fall off the charts -- at least, not the top of the charts. And when it comes to new series, a summer slot isn't generally a vote of confidence from the network.
Due to coronavirus-forced production shutdowns, Summer 2020 has been an especially soft season. Click through our gallery to see how 18 freshman broadcast television shows -- some acquisitions -- fared in total viewers for their premieres this summer.
Also Read: 2020-2021 TV Season: Every Broadcast Show Canceled, Renewed and Ordered – So Far
Tony Maglio
TV Editor • tony.maglio@thewrap.com • Twitter: @tonymaglio