NBC’s “Chicago Fire” premiere dropped 31 percent in the key 18-49 demographic versus last year’s opening episode, though the Dick Wolf procedural managed to rise from its season finale on CNN’s Democratic debate night.
A number of shows dipped by double digits last night against the stiff political competition and baseball playoff games on cable.
With “The Voice,” NBC topped Tuesday in the main demo; CBS sat atop the total viewer rankings.
NBC was first in ratings with a 1.8 rating/6 share in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic and second in total viewers with an average of 7.3 million, according to preliminary numbers. “Best Time Ever” at 8 p.m. got a 1.2/4 and 4.5 million viewers. “The Voice” at 9 dropped 32 percent from its latest original to a 2.5/7 — which was still good enough to top the night — and had 9.9 million viewers. “Chicago Fire” at 10 debuted to a 1.8/6 and 7.4 million viewers.
CBS was second in ratings with a 1.6/5 and first in viewers with 12 million. “NCIS” at 8 posted a 2.0/7 and night-high 15.7 million viewers. “NCIS: New Orleans” at 9 received a 1.5/4 and 12.3 million viewers. “Limitless” at 10 had a 1.4/5 and 8.1 million viewers.
ABC was third in ratings with a 1.2/4 and in viewers with 3.5 million. “The Muppets” at 8 slid 24 percent to a 1.3/5 and had 4.5 million viewers. “Fresh Off the Boat” at 8:30 dipped 22 percent to a 1.4/4 and got 4.1 million viewers. “Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD” at 9 managed a 1.4/4 and 3.7 million viewers. A rerun followed.
Fox and the CW tied for fourth in ratings, both with a 0.9/3. Fox was fourth in total viewers with 2.6 million, CW was fifth with 2.3 million.
For Fox, “Grandfathered” at 8 received a 1.0/3 — down two-tenths of a ratings point –and 3.1 million viewers. “The Grinder” at 8:30 had a 0.9/3 — down a tenth — and 2.5 million viewers. “Scream Queens” at 9 posted a 1.0/3 — down two-tenths — and 2.5 million viewers.
For CW, “The Flash” at 8 had a 1.3/4 and 3.3 million viewers. At 9, “iZombie” got a 0.5/2 — down 29 percent from last week’s season premiere — and 1.4 million viewers.
Univision was sixth in ratings with a 0.8/2 and in viewers with 2.2 million.
Telemundo was seventh in ratings with a 0.7/2 and in viewers with 1.7 million.