NBC scored a strong start to the smartly scheduled event series “A.D.: The Bible Continues” on Easter Sunday, though coupled with the soft debut of “American Odyssey” and a pair of “Datelines,” the network couldn’t top ABC in the key demo or CBS among total viewers.
ABC won among adults 18-49 simply by airing movie “The Ten Commandments,” another timely and topical programming choice.
For CBS, originals of “Madam Secretary” and “Battle Creek” dropped double digits, though the episodes were coded as specials due to the holiday.
ABC was first in ratings with a 1.4 rating/5 share in the advertiser-coveted demo and second in total viewers with an average of 6.8 million, according to preliminary numbers.
NBC was second in ratings with a 1.3/4 and third in viewers with 5.9 million. “Dateline” at 7 p.m. posted a 0.8/3 and 3.8 million viewers. A second hour at 8 received a 1.0/3 and 4.6 million viewers. “A.D.” at 9 debuted to a 2.3/7 and 9.5 million viewers — both highs on the night. “American Odyssey” at 10 premiered to a 1.2/4 and 5.4 million viewers.
CBS and Univision tied for third in ratings, both with a 0.9/3. CBS was first in viewers with 7.6 million, Univision was fourth with 2.3 million.
For CBS, “60 Minutes” at 7 had a 0.9/4 and 7.7 million viewers. “Madam Secretary” at 8 got a 1.1/4 and 9.1 million viewers. “The Good Wife” at 9 received a 1.0/3 and 7.8 million viewers. “Battle Creek” at 10 posted a 0.7/2 and 5.7 million viewers.
Fox was fifth in ratings with a 0.8/3 and in viewers with 2 million, airing entirely reruns.
Telemundo was sixth in ratings with a 0.6/2 and in viewers with 1.6 million.