May’s annual broadcast television upfronts period is when networks parade out their new shows and existing stars in a big-money competition for media buyers and advertising dollars.
Before the presentations, parties and weeks-long (and occasionally months-long) negotiations for fall commercials commence, it behooves both sides of the bargaining table to know exactly where they stand, TV ratings-wise. Now you can, too.
Below are the primetime Nielsen averages through 32 weeks of the 2017-18 television season. All numbers include seven days of delayed viewing where available.
First, let’s look at the ratings among adults 18-49, since that is the age range most-coveted by these broadcast primetime advertisers:
18-49 Rating
1. NBC: 2.2 (up 5% from last year’s 2.1)
2. CBS: 1.6 (down 11% from last year’s 1.8)
3. (tie) ABC: 1.5 (down 6% from last year’s 1.6)
(tie) Fox: 1.5 (down 21% from last year’s 1.9)
5. The CW: 0.6 (even with last year)
It’s important to point out here that Fox had the Super Bowl last year and NBC had it this season, which explains away a material portion of their individual movements.
Readers will notice the same respective big game-related trends among total viewers:
Total Viewers
1. NBC: 9.1 million (up 10% from last year’s 8.2 million)
2. CBS: 9.0 million (down 8% from last year’s 9.7 million)
3. ABC: 6.1 million (down 2% from last year’s 6.2 million)
4. Fox: 5.0 million (down 17% from last year’s 6.0 million)
5. The CW: 1.7 million (down 4% from last year’s 1.8 million)
Here is next week’s upfront schedule for the so-called Big 4 networks, plus The CW:
NBC (Monday)
Fox (Monday)
ABC (Tuesday)
CBS (Wednesday)
The CW (Thursday)