Update: “Intelligence” definitely drew an audience for its opener.
The inaugural episode of CBS’ new drama, which aired in the 9PM timeslot normally reserved for “NCIS: Los Angeles,” posted a 2.4 adults 18-49 rating with 16.6 million viewers.
While the demo number is consistent with what “NCIS: LA” has been drawing in the timeslot, the viewership total exceeds anything posted by the veteran drama this season.
“Intelligence” did, however, lose viewers at the midway point. After delivering a 2.5 rating with 17.4 million viewers from 9-9:30PM, the show dipped to a 2.3 with 15.8 million from 9:30-10PM.
As the overnights suggested, ABC’s “Killer Women” stumbled out of the gate. Tuesday’s premiere drew just a 0.9 rating with 3.9 million viewers.
Other CBS ratings: NCIS (2.9, 20.7 million), Person of Interest (2.0, 12.1 million)
Other ABC ratings: Agents of SHIELD (2.1, 6.5 million), The Goldbergs (1.7, 5.4 million), Trophy Wife (1.2, 3.9 million)
===========
Because CBS’ dramas notoriously skew in favor of older audiences, one can never be certain that an impressive overnight household rating will translate into adults 18-49 gold.
But when a show opens to a 10.2 household metered market rating, it almost surely performed decently in the coveted demo.
That was the overnight metered market number for CBS’ new series “Intelligence,” which received the luxury of premiering out of Tuesday’s “NCIS.”
That drama, still the most-watched one on network TV, held up its end of the bargain by providing a strong 12.8 overnight number. “Person of Interest,” which closed CBS’ evening, drew a 7.8 at 10PM.
Starting next week, “Intelligence” airs in its regular Monday at 10PM timeslot. Given the additional challenges of that timeslot–competition from fellow dramas “The Blacklist” and “Castle” and the absence of a monster “NCIS” lead-in–it is unlikely “Intelligence” will match its premiere numbers next week.
But as far as Tuesday’s performance goes, the “Intelligence” certainly did not fall short of expectations.
— ABC’s “Killer Women” cannot say the same.
While no one expected the limited series to bow to monster numbers, ABC was surely hoping it would draw more than a 2.9 overnight metered market number Tuesday night.
And with “Agents of SHIELD” dipping to a series low 4.2 overnight number and 9PM comedies “The Goldbergs” (3.5) and “Trophy Wife” (2.6) also struggling to perform, ABC had little to soften the blow.