Ever wonder how the other half lives? How about what they watch on TV? Well here’s the complete list of broadcast TV shows this summer, ranked by the median household income of its viewers.
(It’s worth noting that a lower median household income in some cases can simply mean younger viewers, which is not a bad thing for networks.)
Rank: 1
Show: “The Bachelorette”
Net: ABC
Viewer Median Income: $73,800
You can buy a lot of roses for that money.
Rank: 2
Show: “So You Think You Can Dance”
Net: Fox
Viewer Median Income: $67,900
Second-highest income? We’d dance every payday too.
Rank: 3
Show: “American Ninja Warrior”
Net: NBC
Viewer Median Income: $66,900
No. 1 net makes its first appearance among well-to-do viewers.
Rank: 4
Show: “Elementary”
Net: CBS
Viewer Median Income: $64,300
…and here’s CBS’ richest summer show.
Rank: 5
Show: “America’s Got Talent”
Net: NBC
Viewer Median Income: $63,800
America’s Got Disposable Income — or at least, viewers of this show do.
Rank: 6
Show: “Deception”
Net: ABC
Viewer Median Income: $63,600
FBI magician could probably pull a couple quarters out of his viewers’ ears.
Rank: 7
Show: “The Crossing”
Net: ABC
Viewer Median Income: $63,200
No word on star Steve Zahn’s salary, but we’re guessing higher.
Rank: 8
Show: “Instinct”
Net: CBS
Viewer Median Income: $62,900
Same as Zahn, but for Alan Cumming.
Rank: 9
Show: “MasterChef”
Net: Fox
Viewer Median Income: $62,800
The restaurant business is either feast or famine, and “MasterChef” viewers are feasting more than those who watch Gordon Ramsay’s other Fox summer show.
Rank: 10
Show: “Running Wild With Bear Grylls”
Net: NBC
Viewer Median Income: $62,700
More like, “Running Wild with Ad Dollars.”
Rank: 11
Show: “Shades of Blue”
Net: NBC
Viewer Median Income: $62,600
Looks like JLo brings NBC more green than blue.
Rank: 12
Show: “World of Dance”
Net: NBC
Viewer Median Income: $62,300
Decent exchange rate in this “World.”
Rank: 13
Show: “The Proposal”
Net: ABC
Viewer Median Income: $61,900
You could probably get a fancier rock from a “Bachelorette” fan, but viewers of this ABC reality dating series can still afford some nice ice.
Rank: 14
Show: “Taken”
Net: NBC
Viewer Median Income: $61,800
“Taken” viewers must have a particular set of skills.
Rank: 15 (tie)
Show: “Take Two”
Net: ABC
Viewer Median Income: $61,400
We’ll take two of that salary.
Rank: 15 (tie)
Show: “Lucifer”
Net: Fox
Viewer Median Income: $61,400
Enjoy those “Lucifer” fans dollars, Netflix.
Rank: 17
Show: “Quantico”
Net: ABC
Viewer Median Income: $61,000
The FBI looks into money laundering, right?
Rank: 18
Show: “Reverie”
Net: NBC
Viewer Median Income: $60,600
Fans of this virtual reality-centric series have a decent amount of cold, hard cash.
Rank: 19
Show: “Ghosted”
Net: Fox
Viewer Median Income: $59,700
Well that isn’t a spooktacular number, it’s definitely not horrific.
Rank: 20
Show: “Code Black”
Net: CBS
Viewer Median Income: $58,800
Nursing is still a solid field to get into.
Rank: 21
Show: “The Last Defense”
Net: ABC
Viewer Median Income: $58,700
We’d like to see a bail bondsman, please.
Rank: 22
Show: “Love Connection”
Net: Fox
Viewer Median Income: $58,500
Do these dates come with a credit check?
Rank: 23
Show: “Celebrity Family Feud”
Net: ABC
Viewer Median Income: $58,100
The wealthy households featured on this game show definitely have more money than their average viewer — but we didn’t say more problems.
Rank: 24
Show: “The Gong Show”
Net: ABC
Viewer Median Income: $57,300
Viewers aren’t hammering checks as much as host Mike Myers smashes that cymbal.
Rank: 25
Show: “24 Hours to Hell and Back”
Net: Fox
Viewer Median Income: $57,100
Is it cheaper if I fly Spirit?
Rank: 26
Show: “Match Game”
Net: ABC
Viewer Median Income: $56,300
And while you’re at it match our income.
Rank: 27
Show: “Ransom”
Net: CBS
Viewer Median Income: $55,900
Too easy.
Rank: 28
Show: “The $100,000″ Pyramid”
Net: ABC
Viewer Median Income: $54,400
Who wants to watch someone try to earn twice your annual income in one night? These guys.
Rank: 29
Show: “To Tell the Truth”
Net: ABC
Viewer Median Income: $53,300
To tell the truth, you should stop watching this show and get a night shift at a bar.
Rank: 30
Show: “Beat Shazam”
Net: Fox
Viewer Median Income: $51,800
It’s a sha-zame how low this salary is.
Rank: 31
Show: “The Four”
Net: Fox
Viewer Median Income: $51,300
Viewers of “The Four” have to sing for their meals (and gas bills).
Rank: 32
Show: “Undercover Boss”
Net: CBS
Viewer Median Income: $51,000
Bosses getting bossed around is clearly appealing to a lower-income crowd.
Rank: 33
Show: “Marlon”
Net: NBC
Viewer Median Income: $50,600
Internet superstardom mixed with down-to-Earth family problems? Viewers without money to burn are here for that combo.
Rank: 34
Show: “Little Big Shots”
Net: NBC
Viewer Median Income: $49,300
The little guys on this Steve Harvey-hosted variety show don’t attract the big bucks for NBC.
Rank: 35
Show: “Showtime at the Apollo”
Net: Fox
Viewer Median Income: $40,900
Fox hits the bottom of the list with a show for the even-less-wealthy Harvey fans.
