The networks' dramas, ABC's new "666 Park Avenue" and CBS' stalwart "The Mentalist," took hits following last week's premieres, while NBC scored an expected win on the strength of "Sunday Night Football," according to preliminary numbers.
While NBC's numbers are subject to revision due to the nature of live sports, the network holds a commanding first place in the advertiser-cherished 18-49 demographic with a 5.3 rating/14 share and in total viewers with 13.7 million.
Following three consecutive episodes of "Football Night in America" from 7 to 8:30 p.m. — which scored a 2.1/6, 4.0/11 and 5.4/14 respectively — the San Diego Chargers-New Orleans Saints game posted a 6.2/15 — down 23 percent from last week's game — and drew 15.8 million total viewers.
CBS drew second place in ratings and total viewers with a 3.2/8 and 12.7 million. NFL overrun at 7 drew the night's top ratings with a 7.8/22 and amassed 21.2 million total viewers, the night's largest total viewership. "60 Minutes" at 7:30 posted a 3.8/11, which is most likely inflated due to the football overrun, and took 16 million total viewers.
"The Amazing Race" held steady with last week's season premiere for a 2.5/6 and drew 9.8 million total viewers, while "The Good Wife" at 9:30 fell off slightly from last week's premiere, taking a 1.7/4 and drawing 8.9 million total viewers.
"The Mentalist" at 10:30 dropped 24 percent from last week's season premiere, hitting a season low of 1.6/4 and receiving 8.7 million total viewers.
Fox took third place in the demo and fourth in total viewers with a 2.6/7 and 5.4 million. Following NFL overrun combined with a "Simpsons" repeat at 7, the premiere of "The Cleveland Show" at 7:30 jumped 24 percent from last fall's premiere, taking a 2.2/6 with 4.4 million total viewers.
"The Simpsons" at 8 dropped off 18 percent from last week's season premiere, posting a 3.1/8 and grabbing 6.5 million total viewers, while "Bob's Burgers" dipped 12 percent from last week's season premiere for a 2.3/6 and took 4.8 million total viewers. "Family Guy" at 9 inched up from last week's premiere, taking a 3.4/8 and 6.7 million total viewers. "American Dad" at 9:30 was also up slightly from last week's premiere, posting a 2.6/6 with 5.2 million total viewers.
ABC came in fourth in ratings and third in total viewers with a 2.3/6 and 7.4 million, taking hits across most of its roster. Following the season premiere of "America's Funniest Home Videos" at 7, which was even with last fall's premiere for a 1.5/4 and took 6.5 million total viewers, "Once Upon a Time" at 8 dropped 15 percent from last week's premiere for a 3.3/8 and took 9.6 million total viewers.
"Revenge" the following hour fell off 19 percent from its season debut last week for a 2.6/6 and grabbed 8.3 million total viewers. while "666 Park Avenue" took a 19 percent hit from its series debut last week for a 1.7/4 and drew 5 million total viewers.
