CBS’s “Big Brother” season premiere was up over the last two years in terms of total viewers, but Wednesday’s debut slipped to its lowest-ever key demo rating for an opener.
In turn, CBS tied NBC reruns atop the 18-49 demographic across primetime. CBS finished first in total audience.
Fox may have been in the mix for first-place, but both “MasterChef” and “Bullseye” dipped one-tenth of a ratings point week-over-week.
CBS and NBC both had a 1.3 rating/5 share in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic. CBS was first among total viewers with an average of 5.6 million, according to preliminary numbers. NBC was second with 4.8 million, airing just repeats.
For CBS, “Big Brother” at 8 p.m. posted a 2.0/8 — down 13 percent from last year, though it could rise in final numbers — and 6.8 million viewers. Both were highs on the night. “The Briefcase” at 9 received a 0.9/3 and 4.7 million viewers. A rerun followed.
Fox was third in ratings with a 1.2/4 and in viewers with 3.7 million. “MasterChef” at 8 had a 1.4/6 and 4.6 million viewers. “Bullseye” at 9 got a 0.9/3 and 2.8 million viewers.
ABC and Univision tied for fourth in ratings, both with a 0.9/3. ABC was fourth in total viewers with 3.5 million; Univision was fifth with 2.3 million.
For ABC, following repeats, “Celebrity Wife Swap” at 10 received a 0.9/3 and 3.1 million viewers.
Telemundo was sixth in ratings with a 0.6/2 and in viewers with 1.4 million.
The CW was seventh in ratings with a 0.3/1 and in viewers with 989,000, airing reruns.