Nothing definitive can be said until the adults 18-49 numbers are revealed in the fast nationals, but based on the overnight metered market numbers, at least two of Wednesday’s series premieres look to be in good shape.
Update: “Arrow” performed very well by CW standards, but its 1.3 adults 18-49 rating was below what the overnight ratings would have suggested. Still, with that demographic rating, “Arrow” debuted as competently as could have reasonably been expected for a CW launch in 2012.
In a note more consistent with the overnight ratings, “Arrow” drew 4.02 million viewers Wednesday night. That figure, though less relevant for advertising purposes, is unequivocally impressive for the network.
“Nashville” delivered a respectable 2.8 adults 18-49 rating. If it holds in that general range once the lead-in switches to “Suburgatory,” it will be fine, but as was the case with that for the “Arrow” premiere, the rating is below early morning expectations.
The premiere, which benefited from a special “Modern Family” lead-in (4.9 rating and 12.2 million viewers from 9:30-10PM), averaged 8.98 million viewers. It lost more than a 1 million viewers–and half a point in adults 18-49–from its first to second half hour.
“Chicago Fire” opened to a 1.9 and 6.44 million viewers. Its “Law & Order: SVU” lead-in scored a 1.8 rating with 6.19 million.
The CW’s superhero-themed “Arrow” opened to a 3.0 overnight rating, according to TV Media Insights. While miniscule by most network standards, that number significantly eclipses just about every rating on the network, and it should yield a decent performance in adults 18-49.
By comparison, veteran series “Supernatural,” which followed “Arrow” Wednesday night, net only a 1.7 overnight rating.
Still, seeing how many non-“Vampire Diaries” series have flamed out on the network, it is definitely too early to bring out the balloons for “Arrow.”
— Over on ABC, “Nashville” benefited from an hourlong “Modern Family” lead-in (8.6 for the hour) to post a 6.8 overnight rating at 10PM. While it lost the race to “CSI” (7.0) in the overnights, it surely won the battle in adults 18-49.
It also defeated “Chicago Fire,” which opened to a 4.7. While not too promising on paper, it is worth noting that “Fire” built on its “Law & Order: SVU” lead-in (4.2).
