For its first 2010 episode sans the “American Idol” lead-in, “Glee” managed to remain a solid ratings player, proving that it is a stand-alone hit for FOX.
Though a decline of roughly 20% from last week is never something about which to brag, the show was still in strong territory with a 3.85 18-49 demo rating and 8.99 million viewers. Up about just under 10% from its fall finale numbers for a summer airing that went against the competitive “America’s Got Talent,” the number is far from a disappointment.
Further good news came in the half-hour breakdown; the show moved from a 3.6 at 9PM to a 4.1 at 9:30PM, indicating that interest in the content is still very much there.
Still, now below a 4.0 in the adults 18-49 demographic, it is clear that “Glee” has relied on “Idol” to achieve its ‘mega-hit’ standing. Its number also, for the first time this spring, failed to capture the 9PM hour, forfeiting the crown to NBC’s “Got Talent” (4.1 rating, 13.40 million viewers at 9PM; 3.6 rating with 12.29 million viewers for the evening).
Other reality performers Tuesday included the series premiere of FOX’s “Hell’s Kitchen” with a 2.9 rating and 6.16 million viewers, “Wipeout” with a 3.0 and 8.31 million viewers for its two-hour opener and “Losing it with Jillian” (2.7 rating, 6.67 million viewers). Though the latter opened decently in the 10PM hour, it did shed more than 10% of its young adult audience from half hour one (which had the “Got Talent” lead-in) to half-hour two.
