CBS’ “Code Black” didn’t have a ton of life with Wednesday’s Season 3 premiere, though delayed viewing should help the 10 p.m. show.
“Code Black” had a 0.7 rating/3 share in the key 18-49 demographic, which could only tie NBC’s “Chicago P.D.” repeat. The CBS medical drama did finish first (alone) in its time slot among total viewers, tallying 5.6 million. That decent all-in eyeball count means “Code Black,” like many CBS shows, appeals primarily to older viewers.
The Rob Lowe series started off this spring run way down from where it began its prior season, which was in the higher-rated fall. That September 28, 2016 Season 2 premiere received a 1.2 rating and 6.4 million viewers. Though it is admittedly a flawed comparison because of the different scheduling decisions, that represents a 42 percent decline among adults 18-49, which is still an advertiser’s target age group for primetime broadcast commercials.
With a steady “Empire,” Fox again won Wednesday in the main demo. CBS topped the day part’s overall audience averages.
Fox was first in ratings with a 1.4 rating/6 share in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic and second in total viewers with an average of 4.5 million, according to preliminary numbers. “Empire” at 8 earned a 1.6/7 and 5.3 million viewers. At 9, “Star” received a 1.2/5 and 3.8 million viewers.
CBS was second in ratings with a 1.0/4 and in viewers with 6.5 million. “Survivor” at 8 posted a 1.6/7 and 7.8 million viewers. At 9, “SEAL Team” had a 0.8/3 and 6.3 million viewers. “Code Black” followed.
NBC was third in ratings with a 0.7/3 and in viewers with 4.1 million. “The Blacklist” at 8 got a 0.8/3 and 5.2 million viewers. Reruns followed.
ABC was fourth in ratings with a 0.6/3 and in viewers with 3.2 million. After a bunch of repeats, a new “Designated Survivor” at 10 managed a 0.5/2 and 3.4 million viewers.
Univision was fifth in ratings with a 0.5/2 and in viewers with 1.5 million.
Telemundo and The CW tied for sixth in ratings, both with a 0.4/2. Telemundo was sixth in total viewers with 1.2 million, The CW was seventh with 1.1 million.
For The CW, “Riverdale” at 8 had a 0.4/2 and 1.2 million viewers. At 9, “The Originals” got a 0.4/2 and 1 million viewers.