A tough Tuesday for broadcast television saw much of the networks’ reality fare drop substantially from last week’s ratings.
ABC’s entire Tuesday lineup, for instance, fell under the weight of a weaker performance for tentpole “Wipeout.” Down to a 2.6 adults 18-49 rating with 8.15 million viewers, “Wipeout” provided a smaller lead-in for “Downfall,” and the result was a significant slip for the new game show (down to a 1.4 demo rating with 4.18 million viewers).
While “Downfall”‘s premiere performance last week was passable in a vacuum, its weak retention and mid-episode audience erosion served as ominous signs. The omens were worth acknowledging, as without a particularly strong “Wipeout” lead-in, the show dipped to a rating that can no longer be described as anything but weak.
“Primetime: Mind Games” followed with a barely-there 1.0 and 3.42 million viewers.
NBC’s hit “America’s Got Talent” also took a tumble, slipping to a 2.8 rating with 10.05 million viewers. Lead-in “Losing it with Jillian” was good for a poor 1.3 with 4.18 million viewers.
Despite also declining, FOX’s “Hell’s Kitchen” performed strongly enough to give the network the demo win for the evening, averaging a 2.7 with 6.17 million viewers. The CW and CBS were in repeats.
