This week, NBC moved “The Blacklist” to Thursday in an attempt to boost the important TV weeknight. The James Spader show delivered strong viewership with its timeslot premiere last night, with a decent — albeit down — demo performance.
“The Blacklist” handed NBC its most-watched Thursday drama (9.9 million total viewers) since 2009’s “ER” finale (16.4 million).
In the advertiser-sought 18-49 demographic, “Blacklist” received a 2.3 rating/7 share at 9 p.m.. While down from its previous post-“Voice” numbers, that was solid enough to give NBC its best Thursday evening demo drama number since an April 2009 “Southland” (2.5).
Afterward, at 10, “Allegiance” had a soft premiere, pulling in a 1.1/3 and 4.9 million viewers.
ABC topped the key demo; CBS was first in viewers. For Fox, “Backstrom” fell 29 percent in ratings.
ABC was first in ratings with a 2.7 rating/9 share in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic and second in total viewers with an average of 8.6 million, according to preliminary numbers. “Grey’s Anatomy” at 8 received a 2.2/7 and 7.9 million viewers. “Scandal” at 9 got a 3.1/9 and 9.5 million viewers. At 10, “How to Get Away With Murder” had a 2.7/9 and 8.3 million viewers.
CBS was second in ratings with a 2.4/8 and first in viewers with 10.3 million. “The Big Bang Theory” at 8 earned a 4.5/15 and 16.8 million viewers — both highs on the night. “Mom” at 8:30 received a 2.8/9 and 11.8 million viewers. “Two and a Half Men” at 9 had a 2.3/7 and 9.4 million viewers. Following a rerun, “Elementary” at 10 got a 1.5/5 and 7.8 million viewers.
Fox was third in ratings with a 1.7/5 and fourth in viewers with 6.6 million. “American Idol” at 8 received a 2.4/8 and 9.5 million viewers. “Backstrom” at 9 fell to a 1.0/3 and 3.6 million viewers.
NBC was fourth in ratings with a 1.5/5 and third in viewers with 6.7 million. All relevant details are above.
Univision was fifth in ratings with a 1.2/4 and in viewers with 3 million.
The CW was sixth in ratings with a 0.6/2 and seventh in viewers with 1.3 million. “The Vampire Diaries” at 8 had a 1.7 million viewers. “Reign” at 9 got a 0.4/1 and 995,000 viewers.
Telemundo was seventh in ratings with a 0.5/2 and sixth in viewers with 1.5 million.