NBC topped Thursday with its bonus day of the 2014 Winter Olympics, kicking off Day 1 event coverage with qualifying rounds and early competition.
For CBS, “Two and a Half Men” hit a series low in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic. In fairness, most programs dipped last night.
NBC was first in both ratings and audience, as its initial night of Sochi Games competition earned a 5.8 share/16 rating in the key demo and 19.6 million viewers, according to preliminary numbers. It was the only program on the network’s primetime schedule.
Also read: Early Ratings: Jay Leno’s Final ‘Tonight Show’ Is Highest Since March 2009
CBS was second in ratings with a 2.5/7 and in viewers with 10.4 million. “The Big Bang Theory” at 8 p.m. earned a 5.0/15 and 17.2 million viewers. “The Millers” at 8:30 received a 2.7/8 and 10.9 million viewers. “The Crazy Ones” at 9 got a 1.7/5 and 7.6 million viewers. At 9:30, “Two and a Half Men” had a 1.8/5 — a new low — and 8.1 million viewers. “Elementary” at 10 earned a 1.8/5 and 9.3 million viewers.
Fox was third in ratings with a 2.1/6 and in viewers with 7.6 million. “American Idol” at 8 received a 3.0/9 and 10.9 million viewers — the smallest in-season audience ever for a regularly scheduled episode. “Rake” at 9 got a 1.1/3 and 4.3 million viewers.
Univision was fourth in ratings with a 1.3/4 and in viewers with 3.3 million.
See video: ‘Top Chef’ Finale Cooks Up Season’s Highest Ratings
ABC was fifth in ratings with a 1.0/3 and in total viewers with 3.2 million. “The Taste” at 8 had a 1.0/3 and 3.2 million viewers. A rerun followed.
The CW was sixth in ratings with a 0.8/2 and 1.9 million viewers. “Vampire Diaries” at 8 got a 0.9/3 — tying its series low — and 2.1 million viewers. “Reign” at 9 also tied a series low with a 0.6/2 — it had 1.7 million viewers.
Telemundo was seventh in ratings with a 0.5/1 and in total viewers with 1.3 million.