CBS won the battle of big season finales on Thursday, but ABC’s “Scandal” saw the bigger percentage-based growth.
It was at least a moral victory of sorts for the Kerry Washington drama, which could really use a return to higher Nielsen numbers. That said, this “TGIT” hour marked “Scandal’s” lowest season finale to date, something that should probably come as a shock to no one.
“The Big Bang Theory” season finale grew by 10 percent in both the key 18-49 demographic and among total viewers versus last week, when it had previously dropped by double digits. Also for CBS, the “2 Broke Girls” finale hit its own low last night for a season-ender.
CBS was first in ratings with a 1.7 rating/6 share in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic and in total viewers with an average of 7.9 million, according to preliminary numbers. “The Big Bang Theory” at 8 p.m. ET scored a 3.3/14 and 14.5 million viewers. At 8:30, “The Odd Couple” posted a 1.6/6 and 8.6 million viewers. “Mom” at 9 had a 1.8/6 and 6.7 million viewers. At 9:30, “2 Broke Girls” got a 1.7/6 and 7 million viewers. “Rush Hour” at 10 managed a 0.9/3 and 4.6 million viewers.
ABC was second in ratings with a 1.6/6 and in viewers with 6.2 million. “Grey’s Anatomy” at 8 p.m. ET earned a 2.1/8 and 7.7 million viewers. “Scandal” at 9 put up a 1.8/6 — up 20 percent week over week in the demo — and 6.6 million viewers. “The Catch” at 10 received a 0.9/3 and 4.2 million viewers.
NBC was third in ratings with a 0.9/3 and in viewers with 4.1 million. “Strong” at 8 p.m. ET had a 0.7/3 and 2.6 million viewers. At 9, “The Blacklist” got a 1.3/4 and 6.4 million viewers. “Game of Silence” at 10 received a 0.7/2 and 3.4 million viewers.
Fox was fourth in ratings with a 0.7/3 and in viewers with 3 million. “Bones” at 8 p.m. ET had a 0.8/3 and 4.2 million viewers. At 9, “American Grit” got a 0.6/2 and 1.9 million viewers.
Univision and Telemundo tied for fifth in ratings, both with a 0.6/2. Univision was fifth in total viewers with 1.6 million viewers, Telemundo was sixth with 1.4 million.
The CW was seventh in ratings with a 0.5/2 and in viewers with 1.5 million. “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow” at 8 p.m. ET received a 0.6/3 and 1.9 million viewers. “The 100” followed with a 0.4/1 and 1.2 million viewers at 9 o’clock.