An improved edition of CBS’ “The Big Bang Theory” managed to win the nightly ratings race, but the big story Thursday was the strong premiere for ABC’s “Winter Wipeout.”
Previously a strong summer performer for ABC, “Wipeout” finally gave the network a strong performance in the difficult Thursday at 8PM slot with a 3.7 adults 18-49 rating and 11.59 million viewers. Combined with the always-solid “Grey’s Anatomy” (4.2 rating, 11.66 million) and “Private Practice” (2.7, 7.78 million), “Wipeout” helped give ABC the nightly demo victory over CBS.
CBS’ “Theory” was nonetheless the night’s best performer, responsible for a 4.4 rating with 14.02 million viewers. “$#*! My Dad Says” followed with a mediocre 2.9 rating and 10.86 million viewers; though solid in a vacuum, turning away 34% of “Big Bang”‘s demo audience is simply disappointing, especially since fall timeslot competitor “30 Rock” did not air an original Thursday night.
“CSI” followed with a 3.4 and 14.22 million viewers, while “The Mentalist” ended the evening at a 3.0 and 14.81 million.
FOX’s “Million Dollar Money Drop,” the only other original Thursday, averaged a poor 1.4 with 4.61 million viewers.