The premiere of ABC’s “Downfall” turned away a sizable portion of its “Wipeout” lead-in Tuesday, showing no signs of becoming a breakout hit for the network.
Nonetheless, considering how poorly ABC’s new scripted offerings fared Sunday, the news was not as bad as it could have been for the alphabet network. Moreover, if judged without regard for its weak retention, “Downfall”‘s actual performance could be viewed favorably for a summer game show, especially if it can maintain this audience level going forward.
Following a solid episode of “Wipeout,” which drew a 3.1 adults 18-49 rating with 9.50 million viewers, “Downfall” opened to a 2.0 demo rating with 5.86 million viewers. Third in the demo from 9PM-10PM, the show lost a portion of its young adult audience (2.2 to 1.8) from the first half hour to the second half hour.
Among total viewers, the Chris Jericho-hosted game show placed fourth and lost more than a million viewers between the first and second half hour. It nonetheless represented a slight step-up in audience for the WWE wrestler, whose Monday Night RAW posted a 1.9 with 5.14 million viewers this week.
“Primetime: Mind Games” followed “Downfall” with a considerably weaker 1.3 and 3.88 million viewers.
Other ratings: NBC’s “Losing it With Jillian” (3.75 million, 1.2 A18-49 rating) and “America’s Got Talent” (11.40 million, 3.3) and FOX’s “Hell’s Kitchen” (6.09 million viewers, 2.9).
Ratings Source: Mediaweek