If you’re looking for a reason why Kevin Reilly is leaving Fox after just two seasons as network chairman, don’t blame the ratings.
While the numbers are not known as a particular strength at the network, Fox actually stayed flat year-over-year and is poised to settle into second place for a second-straight season as final numbers still come in.
Also read: NBC Tops Key Ratings Demo for 2013-2014 Season
The network earned a 2.5 in the advertiser-sought 18-49 demographic both this year and last, trailing only NBC’s 2.7 for the 2013-2014 season.
In comparison, NBC got a big boost from the Sochi Olympics, and increased 13 percent in the demo this season, according to most current ratings data. Of course, Fox’s telecast of February’s Super Bowl XLVIII was needed to help tie last season’s numbers.
Also read: Kevin Reilly Out as Fox Entertainment Chairman
The CW also jumped — by 14 percent — while third-place CBS dipped 17 percent season-to-season without the Super Bowl this year and fourth-place ABC dipped by five percent.
However, Fox was fourth in total viewers the past two seasons among the so-called “Big 4” networks.
Plus, if you removed just the night of the Super Bowl from the averages, Fox would finish in third after a drop of three-tenths in the key demo.