The Academy of Country Music Awards was down almost a third in total viewers compared to last year, but still rated high enough to give CBS a win on Sunday night.
The show pulled in 11.2 million viewers over its three-hour broadcast, compared to 16.2 million in 2015. It also managed a 2.3 rating in the advertiser -coveted 18-49 demographic, compared to a 3.7 last year.
NBC’s “Little Big Shots” was right on the ACM’s heels, however, pulling in 11.1 million viewers and a 1.8 rating in the key demo from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.
CBS was first for the night, averaging 10.7 million viewers and a 2.0 rating in the key demo. “60 Minutes” scored 9.4 million viewers and a 1.1 rating at 7. The Academy of Country Music Awards followed at 8.
NBC finished second, averaging 6.2 million viewers and a 1.1 rating. “Little Big Shots” aired at 8. “The Carmichael Show” followed at 9, drawing 5 million viewers and a 1.0 rating. “Crowded” aired at 9:30 and grabbed 3.6 million viewers and a 0.8 rating. “Dateline NBC” closed out the night at 10 with 3.8 million viewers and a 0.8 rating.
ABC finished third with 3.9 million viewers and a 1.0 rating overall. “Once Upon a Time” aired at 8, managing 3.8 million viewers and a 1.1 rating. “The Family” followed at 9 with 3.2 million viewers and a 0.7 rating. “Quantico” aired at 10, getting 3.7 million viewers and a 1.0 rating.
Univision finished in fourth in total viewers with 1.8 million viewers but fifth in the demo with a 0.6 rating.
Fox finished fifth in total viewers, averaging just under 1.8 million, but fourth in the demo with a 0.8 rating. “The Simpsons” managed just 2.3 million viewers and a 1.0 rating for Smithers’ coming out episode at 8. “Bob’s Burgers” got 2.1 million viewers and a 1.0 rating at 8:30. A second episode of “Bob’s Burgers” managed 2 million viewers and a 0.9 rating at 9. “Last Man on Earth” closed out with a 2.1 million viewers and a 0.9 rating at 9:30.
The CW finished sixth in total viewers with 958,000 and tied for sixth in the demo with a 0.2 rating, airing only local programming.
Telemundo finished last in total viewers with 605,000 and tied for sixth in the demo with a 0.2 rating.