The 40th season of “Survivor” kicked off with a two-hour episode Wednesday that matched last season’s premiere among the key adults 18-49 demographic and grew in total viewers, according to Nielsen.
On Sept. 25, 2019, the debut of Season 39 of the CBS competition series put up a 1.3 rating in the 18-49 range and 6.3 million total viewers. Last night’s start to Season 40 matched that 1.3 rating and ticked up to 6.7 million viewers.
However, versus the comparable year-ago premiere of its 38th season, “Survivor” is down 19% in the demo (1.3 vs. 1.6) and 14% in viewers (6.7 million vs. 7.8 million).
Fox was first in ratings with a 1.5 rating/8 share in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic and third in total viewers with an average of 5.1 million, according to preliminary numbers. At 8 p.m., “The Masked Singer” scored a 1.8/9 and 6.6 million viewers. “Lego Masters” at 9 p.m. earned a 1.2/6 and 3.6 million viewers.
CBS and NBC tied for second in ratings, each with a 1.1/6. CBS was first in viewers with 7.8 million, NBC was second with 5.8 million.
For CBS, the “Survivor” Season 40 premiere from 8-10 got the above-mentioned rating and total-viewer tally, plus a 6 share. At 10 p.m., “Criminal Minds” received a 0.6/3 and 3.9 million viewers.
For NBC, “Chicago Med” at 8 p.m. put up a 1.1/5 and 8.1 million viewers. At 9 p.m., “Chicago Fire” posted a 1.1/5 and 8.2 million viewers. “Chicago P.D.” at 10 p.m. had a 1.0/6 and 7 million viewers.
ABC was fourth in ratings with a 0.6/3 and in viewers with 3 million. At 8 p.m., “The Goldbergs” got a 0.8/4 and 3.9 million viewers. At 8:30 p.m., “Schooled” took a 0.7/3 and 2.9 million viewers. “Modern Family” at 9 p.m. landed a 0.9/4 and 3.7 million viewers. At 9:30 p.m., “Single Parents” settled for a 0.6/3 and 2.5 million viewers. “Stumptown” at 10 p.m. managed a 0.4/2 and 2.4 million viewers.
Univision was fifth in ratings with a 0.5/3 and in viewers with 1.6 million.
Telemundo was sixth in ratings with a 0.4/2 and in viewers with 1.1 million.
The CW was seventh in ratings with a 0.1/1 and in viewers with 497,000. At 8 p.m., “Riverdale” got a 0.2/1 and 680,000 viewers. A repeat followed.