Look, there was no way “Roseanne” was going to grow or even hold steady from last week’s monster premiere — the question was how much would its “live” ratings decline?
We now have the answer: Comparing 8-8:30 p.m. week to week, the “Roseanne” decline was -20 percent in the key 18-49 demographic and -16 percent in overall viewers. If you were to include last week’s 8:30-9 p.m. time slot as well, last night’s “Roseanne” drop-off grows to -25 percent in the demo and -18 percent overall.
Still, ABC sitcom put up huge numbers again on Tuesday — a 3.9 rating/16 share and 15.1 million viewers — and the network finished No. 1 in primetime for the main demo. ABC ended up third among total viewers, however, as other shows dragged the “Roseanne” average down too much. Plus, ABC still aired a couple of shows called “NCIS” and “Bull,” which are eyeball-eaters (and we mean that in a good way).
ABC was first in ratings with a 1.8 rating/7 share in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic and in total viewers with an average of 6.6 million, according to preliminary numbers. After “Roseanne” aired, “The Middle” at 8:30 posted a 2.2/8 and 8.3 million viewers. “Black-ish” at 9 landed a 1.5/6 and 5.4 million viewers. “Splitting Up Together” at 9:30 received a 1.4/5 and 4.8 million viewers. At 10, “For the People” averaged a 0.8/3 and 2.8 million viewers.
CBS and NBC tied for second in ratings, both with a 1.2/5. CBS was first in total viewers with 10.5 million, NBC was second with 6.7 million.
For CBS, “NCIS” at 8 scored a 1.3/5 and 12.1 million viewers. At 9, “Bull” earned a 1.2/5 and 11 million viewers. “NCIS: New Orleans” at 10 had a 0.9/4 and 8.5 million viewers.
For NBC, “The Voice” at 8 brought home a 1.8/7 and 9.3 million viewers. At 9, “Rise” received a 0.9/3 and 4.5 million viewers. “Chicago Med” at 10 rose above its lead-in to a 1.1/5 and 6.2 million viewers.
Fox was fourth in ratings with a 0.6/2 and in viewers with 1.9 million. Following a rerun, “LA to Vegas” at 9 had a 0.7/3 and 2 million viewers. “The Mick” Season 2 finale at 9:30 got a 0.7/2 and 1.9 million viewers.
Univision was fifth in ratings with a 0.5/2 and in viewers with 1.6 million.
The CW and Telemundo tied for was sixth in ratings, both with a 0.4/1. The CW was sixth in total viewers with 1.2 million, Telemundo was seventh with 1 million.
For The CW, after a repeat, “Black Lightning” at 9 received a 0.5/2 and 1.5 million viewers.