The CMA awards handed ABC a big win of its own, with the near-flat 2014 special dominating the competition on Wednesday.
The so-called “Country Music’s Biggest Night” handed the network its biggest audience on any night with entertainment programming since March 2’s Academy Awards.
ABC was first in ratings with a 4.5 rating/14 share in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic and first in viewers with an average of 16.1 million, according to preliminary numbers. The awards show was the only telecast in primetime to earn those numbers. In the demo, the CMAs dipped four percent year-over-year.
CBS was second in ratings with a 2.0/6 and in viewers with 8.7 million. “Survivor” at 8 p.m. received a 2.3/7 and 9.2 million viewers. “Criminal Minds” at 9 had a 2.1/6 and 9.6 million viewers. “Stalker” at 10 got a 1.5/5 and 7.3 million viewers.
NBC was third in ratings with a 1.4/4 and in viewers with 6.9 million. “Mysteries of Laura” at 8 had a 1.2/4 and 7.8 million viewers. “Law & Order: SVU” at 9 got a 1.6/5 and 6.9 million viewers. “Chicago PD” at 10 dipped to a series low 1.3/4 and brought in 6.1 million viewers.
Fox and Univision tied for fourth in ratings, both with a 1.1/3. Fox was fourth in viewers with 3.2 million, Univision was fifth in viewers with 2.7 million.
For Fox, “Hell’s Kitchen” at 8 got a 1.3/4 and 3.6 million viewers. “Red Band Society” at 9 had a 0.9/3 and 2.9 million viewers.
The CW was sixth in ratings with a 0.8/2 and in total viewers with 2.2 million. “Arrow” at 8 received a 1.0/3 and 2.6 million viewers. “The 100” at 9 got a 0.6/2 and 1.7 million viewers.
Telemundo was seventh in ratings with a 0.5/2 and in total viewers with 1.3 million.