Fox's "The Simpsons" and CBS's "The Mentalist" spiked in the ratings Sunday night, while ABC's "Revenge" dropped to a season low and NBC took an expected win on the strength of "Sunday Night Football," according to preliminary numbers.
While the nature of live sports render NBC's numbers approximate, the network currently holds first place in the advertiser-sought 18-49 demographic with a 5.5 rating/13 share and in total viewers with 15.3 million. Following three consecutive episodes of "Football Night in America" from 7 to 8:30 p.m., which drew a 1.9/5, 2.8/7 and 5.3/13 respectively, the game between the Green Bay Packers and New York Giants at 8:30 grew 12 percent over last week's "Sunday Night Football," posting a 6.7/16 and drawing 18.5 million total viewers.
While Fox's numbers are also likely affected by football coverage, the network is currently in second place in ratings and third in total viewers with a 3.7/9 and 9.2 million. Following NFL overrun and "The O.T." from 7 to 8, the network's slate of animated programs grew across the board, starting with "The Simpsons" at 8, which grew 38 percent in ratings to a 3.3/8 and had 7.5 million total viewers. "Bob's Burgers" at 8:30 grew 11 percent in ratings to a 2.0/5 and had 4.7 million, while "Family Guy" at 9 was also up in ratings and total viewers, posting a 2.8/6 with 5.8 million total viewers. "The Cleveland Show at 9:30 grew 19 percent from last week's airing — which was at 7:30 — to a 1.9/4, and drew 4.3 million total viewers.
CBS took third in ratings and second in total viewers with a 2.1/5 and 10.5 million. Though its numbers are approximate in the 7 p.m. hour due to the nature of live sports, NFL overrun followed by "60 Minutes" from 7 to 8 put the network at a 2.2/6 with 12.2 million total viewers. "The Amazing Race" at 8 inched up to a 2.5/6 with 9.9 million total viewers, while "The Good Wife" the following hour was even with last week for a 1.7/4 and had 9.5 million total viewers. "The Mentalist" at 10 jumped 29 percent from last week, taking a 1.8/5 with 10.3 million total viewers.
ABC came in fourth in ratings and total viewers with a 2.0/5 and 6.5 million. "America's Funniest Home Videos" at 7 was even with last week, drawing a 1.6/4 with 6.6 million total viewers, while "Once Upon a Time" the following hour climbed 11 percent from its last original airing two weeks ago for a 3.0/7 and drew 8.8 million total viewers. "Revenge" at 9 dropped 12 percent from last week for a season low of 2.2/5. It had 6.8 million total viewers, while the recently canceled "666 Park Avenue" tied its series low two weeks ago, pulling a 1.2/3 and taking 4 million total viewers.
