ABC enjoyed a commanding ratings victory on Monday night, thanks to the season finale of “The Bachelorette,” which grew 20 percent over last summer’s capper in the key demo, and “The Bachelorette: After the Final Rose,” which also gained over last year. Meanwhile, NBC’ “Running Wild With Bear Grylls” showed a significant week-to-week-gain, according to preliminary numbers.
ABC was first place in both the key 18-49 demographic and in total viewers, averaging a 2.4 rating/8 share and 8 million, respectively. The “Bachelorette” finale from 8 to 10 p.m. posted a 2.4/9, compared to last summer’s 2.0/7, and drew in 8 million total viewers, making it the night’s most-watched program. “The Bachelorette: After the Final Rose” at 10 was in a virtual tie for first place with “The Bachelorette,” posting a 2.4/8 — up 14 percent over last year’s special — with 7.9 million total viewers.
NBC took second place in the demo and total viewers with a 1.7/6 and 5.5 million. The night held good and bad news for the network’s slate, with “American Ninja Warrior” at 8 dipping 10 percent to a 1.9/7 with 6.3 million total viewers. “Running Wild With Bear Grylls” at 10, however, grew 18 percent in the demo for a season high of 1.3/4, with 3.8 million total viewers.
CBS opted for repeats, tying Fox for third in the demo with a 0.8/3 and holding third place outright in total viewers with 4.9 million.
Fox, which was fourth in total viewers with 2.8 million, aired “So You Think You Can Dance,” which drew a 0.8/3, down from last week’s 1.0/4, and 2.8 million total viewers, a decline from last week’s 3.2 million.
Telemundo and Univision had a virtual tie for fifth place in the demo, averaging a 0.7/3 and 0.7/2, respectively, with Univision narrowly beating Telemundo in total viewers with 2 million, compared to Telemundo’s 1.8 million.
The CW had a 0.5/2 and 1.8 million total viewers for the night. “Penn & Teller: Fool Us” at 8 inched up to a 0.7/3 with 2.3 million total viewers. Following a “Whose Line is it Anyway” repeat, “Barber Battle” at 9 had a 0.3/1 with 912,000 total viewers.
Watch the “Bachelorette” finale moment viewers have been waiting for all season below.