“The Four” didn’t hit Thursday night’s solo high note — that would be CBS’ “Big Bang Theory” — but the Fox reality singing competition still started solidly.
The new take on an old broadcast genre debuted to a 1.2 rating/4 share in the key 18-49 demo and 3.7 million total viewers. In both metrics, this was Fox’s top in-season unscripted series premiere since “Cosmos” kicked off almost four years ago.
Fox finished runner-up on the night among the all-important age range, with CBS as primetime’s runaway winner.
CBS 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 10.1 million, according to preliminary numbers. “Big Bang” at 8 p.m. scored a 3.1/12 and 16 million viewers. At 8:30, “Young Sheldon” posted a 2.6/9 and 14.7 million viewers. “Mom” at 9 put up a 1.7/6 and 9.9 million viewers. “Life in Pieces” at 9:30 had a 1.3/5 and 7.4 million. “S.W.A.T.” at 10 received a 1.1/4 and 6.2 million viewers.
Fox was second in ratings with a 1.2/4, but fourth in viewers with 3.7 million. “The Four” was the only show on the network’s schedule.
NBC was third in ratings with a 1.1/4 and third in viewers with 4.360 million. “Superstore” at 8 had a 1.1/4 and 3.9 million viewers. At 8:30, “The Good Place” got a 1.0/4 and 3.1 million viewers. “Will & Grace” at 9 landed a 1.4/5 and 4.9 million viewers. At 9:30, “Great News” managed a 0.6/2 and 2.5 million viewers. “Chicago Fire” at 10 received a 1.1/4 and 5.9 million viewers.
ABC was fourth in ratings with a 1.0/4, but second in viewers with 4.395 million. Following reruns, “Truth and Lies: Waco” averaged a 1.1/4 and 5 million viewers over its two-hour run.
Univision was fifth in ratings with a 0.6/2 and in viewers with 1.7 million.
Telemundo was sixth in ratings with a 0.4/2 and in viewers with 1.1 million.
The CW was seventh in ratings with a 0.2/1 and in viewers with 864,000, running just repeats.