CBS's recently canceled "Rules of Engagement" went out on a down note on Monday night, while the premiere of Fox's "The Goodwin Games" and a preview of ABC's "Motive" got both shows off to discouraging starts. Meanwhile, NBC took a win in the key demographic, despite "The Voice" hitting a series low for Monday night broadcasts, according to preliminary numbers.
NBC took first place in the advertiser-sought 18-49 demographic with a 2.9 rating/8 share and second in total viewers with 9 million. "The Voice" at 8 p.m. posted a 3.4/11 — down 11 percent from last week, and the lowest-rated Monday night episode in the series' history, but still the night's best performance in the demo — with 10.6 million total viewers. "Revolution" at 10 was even with last week for a 1.9/5 with 5.8 million total viewers.
ABC was second in ratings and first in total viewers with a 2.1/6 and 12.1 million. The performance finale of "Dancing With the Stars" at 8 posted a 2.5/7, a 25 percent jump from last week, but was down 14 percent from last spring's hour-long finale. It was the night's most-watched show with 14.7 million total viewers. A preview of the new series "Motive" at 10 had a not particularly encouraging 1.4/4 and took 6.8 million total viewers.
CBS was third in the demo and total viewers with a 1.9/5 and 7.5 million. Sandwiched between reruns — "2 Broke Girls," "The Big Bang Theory" and "Mike & Molly" were all in repeat mode — the finale of "Rules of Engagement" at 8:30 posted a 1.8/5, a 14 percent drop from both its last original two weeks ago and last year's finale. The "Rules" sendoff drew 6.2 million total viewers. The season finale of "Hawaii Five-0" at 10 climbed 11 percent for a 2.0/6 with 9 million total viewers.
Univision was fourth in total viewers with a 1.5/4 and 3.8 million.
Fox was fifth in ratings and total viewers with a 0.6/2 and 1.6 million total viewers. Stuck in a primetime lineup that was otherwise filled with repeats, the series premiere of the comedy "The Goodwin Games" at 8:30 drew a 0.7/2 and 1.7 million total viewers.