NBC and ABC scheduled a number of summer premieres against each other on Thursday. Ultimately, NBC won that battle, though it was Fox that actually topped primetime ratings in the key 18-49 demographic, and CBS which landed the most total viewers.
For ABC, “Boy Band” began quite soft, though “The Gong Show” at 10 did better. For NBC, “The Wall” outdid its lead-in “Hollywood Game Night.” Unfortunately, “The Night Shift” didn’t benefit much from that boost.
Fox was first in ratings with a 0.9 rating/4 share in the advertiser-coveted demo, but fourth in total viewers with an average of 3 million, according to preliminary numbers. “Beat Shazam” at 8 p.m. earned a 1.0/4 and 3.2 million viewers. At 9, “Love Connection” received a 0.9/4 and 2.9 million viewers.
NBC was second in ratings with a 0.8/4 and in viewers with 3.9 million. “Hollywood Game Night” kicked off its new season at 8 with a 0.8/4 and 3.8 million viewers. At 9, the premiere of “The Wall” had a 0.9/4 and 4.4 million viewers. “The Night Shift’s” own season premiere at 10 got a 0.6/3 and 3.5 million viewers.
CBS and ABC tied for third in ratings, both with a 0.7/3. CBS was first in total viewers with 4.1 million, airing all reruns; ABC was third with 3.2 million.
For ABC, two hours of “Boy Band” starting at 8 averaged a 0.7/3 and 3 million viewers. “The Gong Show” at 10 debuted to a 0.9/4 and 3.8 million viewers.
Telemundo was fifth in ratings with a 0.6/3 and in viewers with 1.5 million.
Univision was sixth in ratings with a 0.5/2 and in viewers with 1.4 million.
The CW was seventh in ratings with a 0.3/1 and in viewers with 1.2 million, running just repeats.