“The X-Files” just crash-landed somewhere in the New Mexico desert: Fox’s sci-fi series returned last night to a much smaller audience than it nabbed in 2016.
The Chris Carter show’s latest premiere posted a 1.4 rating/5 share and 5.2 million viewers on Wednesday — CBS’ “Amazing Race” start and ABC’s episode of “The Goldbergs” both did better at 8 p.m.
The last time “The X-Files” returned for a limited run was later during the month of January in 2016. Back then, with an NFL game serving as the lead-in, “The X-Files” scored a huge 6.1 rating/19 share and 16.2 million total viewers. Allowing that at least a sizable portion of that success was due to pro football in front of it, the “X-Files” regular time slot debut on Monday, Jan. 25, 2016 earned a big 3.2/10 and 9.7 million viewers.
Fortunately for Fox, “9-1-1” did better last night, and the network was still able to win in the key 18-49 demographic. The Peter Krause premiere was the highest-rated debut on any broadcast network since this season’s earlier starts for “The Good Doctor” and “Young Sheldon.”
“9-1-1” also marked Fox’s highest Wednesday debut in a year.
NBC took home the total-viewer victory last night.
Fox was first in ratings with a 1.6 rating in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic, but third in total viewers with an average of 6 million, according to preliminary numbers. After “X-Files,” “9-1-1” at 9 p.m. put up a 1.8/6 and 6.8 million viewers.
NBC and ABC tied for second in ratings, both with a 1.2. NBC was first in total with 6.4 million, ABC was fourth with 4.7 million.
For NBC, “The Blacklist” at 8 had a 1.0/4 and 6 million viewers. At 9, “Law & Order: SVU” got a 1.4/5 and 6.3 million viewers. “Chicago P.D.” at 10 received a 1.3/5 and 6.8 million viewers.
For ABC, “The Goldbergs” at 8 had a 1.5/6 and 5.8 million viewers. At 8:30, “Speechless” got a 1.1/4 and 4.3 million viewers. “Modern Family” at 9 received a 1.7/6 and 5.9 million viewers. “American Housewife” at 9:30 closed the sitcom block out with a 1.3/5 and 4.8 million viewers. At 10, the “Match Game” season premiere finished primetime to a 0.9/4 and 3.6 million viewers.
CBS was fourth in ratings with a 1.1, but second in viewers with 6.2 million. “Amazing Race” at 8 raced to its best premiere in five years, tallying a 1.6/6 and 7.3 million viewers. “SEAL Team” at 9 had a 0.9/3 and 5.9 million viewers. At 10, “Criminal Minds” got a 0.9/4 and 5.4 million viewers.
Univision and Telemundo tied for fifth in ratings, both with a 0.5/2. Univision was fifth in total viewers with 1.7 million, Telemundo was sixth with 1.2 million.
The CW was seventh in ratings with a 0.2/1 and in viewers with 635,000, airing all reruns.