Update: Thursday, for the first time ever, The CW’s “Reign” faced competition from ABC’s “Scandal” and NBC’s “The Blacklist.”
For the first time ever, a “Reign” episode drew fewer than 1 million viewers.
Thursday’s episode, which was the least-watched episode ever, drew a series low viewership average of 0.97 million.
It nonetheless avoided a series low in adults 18-49. Thursday’s episode matched last week’s 0.4 in the adults 18-49 demographic.
The CW led into “Reign” with “The Vampire Diaries” (0.7 adults 18-49 rating, 1.61 million viewers).
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Because The CW’s “Reign” has repeatedly served as exhibit A in support of the notion that the overnight household ratings do not precisely signpost performance in adults 18-49 and total viewership, wise fans know to wait until that data arrives before stressing over an episode’s performance.
But insofar as the overnights do provide some indication of how the show fared in the more meaningful columns, one would be justified in worrying about this week’s “Reign” performance.
Thursday’s episode, which aired against ABC’s juggernaut “Scandal” and NBC’s relocated “The Blacklist,” drew a series low 0.8 overnight household rating. There is no guarantee that the show’s adults 18-49 will similarly register at a series low, but there is definitely reason to fear poor performance in the crowded slot.
Despite delivering modest ratings throughout its second season, “Reign” has already been renewed for a third season.
— The CW’s Thursday night lineup also included “The Vampire Diaries” (1.4 overnight household rating).
