At least it did not suffer a further decline (yet).
After delivering very disappointing ratings for its hourlong premiere Wednesday, “The X Factor” rebounded slightly with a 5.1 overnight metered market rating for its two-hour broadcast Thursday.
Likely fueled by audience growth in the second hour, which is a typical pattern for reality competition series, the number represents an 8.5% gain over Wednesday’s number.
Update: Building slightly on the 2.1 adults 18-49 rating and 6.17 million viewer average for Wednesday’s show, Thursday’s “X Factor” averaged a 2.2 rating with 6.79 million viewers.
But the number is nothing to celebrate. Reflective of a 20% decline from last year’s comparable number, according to TV Media Insights, it irrefutably demonstrates cooled interest in the series.
A weak showing in any context, the fact that “X Factor” could only muster a 5.1 with limited broadcast competition provides an additional layer of disappointment. With originals of CBS’ juggernaut “The Big Bang Theory” soon to debut in the timeslot, future ratings declines are nearly certain for FOX’s fall music reality series.
