Thank Goodness for Stunt Programming. ABC was able to tie CBS in the key 18-49 ratings demographic last night with a “Grey’s Anatomy” episode that introduced characters from its “Station 19” spinoff, as well as a “Scandal”-“How to Get Away With Murder” crossover.
The Les Moonves-led network still ran away with Thursday’s viewer crown, however, thanks in large part to “Big Bang Theory” and “Young Sheldon.” NBC finished in third place outright.
CBS and ABC tied for first in ratings, both with a 1.5 rating/6 share in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic. CBS was first in total viewers with an average of 8.7 million, according to preliminary numbers, ABC was second with 5.6 million.
For ABC, “Grey’s” at 8 posted a 2.0/8 share and 7.5 million viewers. At 9, the first hour of the “Scandal-HTGAWM” crossover had a 1.3/5 and 5.1 million viewers. At 10, the second hour got a 1.1/5 and 4.2 million viewers.
For CBS, “The Big Bang Theory” at 8 scored a 2.5/11 and 13.6 million viewers. “Young Sheldon” at 8:30 earned a 2.1/9 and 12.4 million viewers. At 9, “Mom” received a 1.5/6 and 9 million viewers. At 9:30, “Life in Pieces” had a 1.1/4 and 6.5 million viewers. “S.W.A.T.” at 10 got a 0.9/4 and 5.3 million viewers.
NBC was third in ratings with a 1.0 and in viewers with 4.1 million. “Superstore” at 8 had a 1.0/4 and 3.5 million viewers. “A.P. Bio” at 8:30 got a 0.8/3 and 2.7 million viewers. “Will & Grace” at 9 received a 1.1/4 and 4.1 million viewers. After a rerun, “Chicago Fire” at 10 finished primetime to a 1.1/5 and 5.6 million viewers.
Fox was fourth in ratings with a 0.7 and in viewers with 2.5 million. “Gotham” at 8 had a 0.8/3 and 2.6 million viewers. A “Showtime at the Apollo” at 9 got a 0.6/2 and 2.5 million viewers.
Univision and The CW tied for fifth in ratings, both with a 0.5/2. Univision was fifth in total viewers with 1.6 million, The CW was sixth with 1.4 million.
Telemundo was seventh in ratings with a 0.4/2 and in viewers with 1.2 million.