Update: Per Nielsen’s final broadcast data, the second episode of CBS’ “Scorpion” delivered an impressive 3.1 adults 18-49 rating with 13.36 million viewers.
That the number trails the premiere number by a mere 0.1 would be impressive in any scenario. That it demonstrated such strong week-over-week retention despite receiving a significantly weaker lead-in is downright spectacular.
After receiving lead-in support from an original “The Big Bang Theory” last week (5.4 rating), “Scorpion” aired out of a re-run this week.
That re-run, which aired from 8:30-9PM, delivered a 3.1 adults 18-49 rating with 12.26 million viewers. An original installment posted a 4.8 with 16.38 million viewers in the 8PM half hour.
CBS closed its Monday with “NCIS: Los Angeles.” It drew a 1.9 rating with 9.48 million at 10PM.
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Update: The overnight household ratings did not lie or mislead: CBS’ “Scorpion” indeed held up well in week two.
Despite airing out of a “Big Bang Theory” re-run rather than an original, “Scorpion” delivered a strong 3.0 adults 18-49 rating in the 9PM hour. Its mark trailed that of last week’s premiere by just 6%.
The episode’s viewership tally of 13.23 million was also impressive.
Earlier in the night, CBS aired a new “The Big Bang Theory” (4.7, 16.18 million) and a re-run of “Big Bang” (3.1, 12.32 million). It followed “Scorpion” with the 10PM season premiere of “NCIS: Los Angeles” (1.9, 9.44 million).
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Despite receiving reduced lead-in support, CBS’ “Scorpion” held up very well in its second week of broadcast.
Leading out of a “Big Bang Theory” re-run rather than an original, the new CBS drama drew an 8.7 overnight household rating. That trails the premiere number by a mere two percent.
While there is no guarantee the show did not endure a larger drop in adults 18-49 and total viewership, the strong overnight mark provides no reason to believe the show took a significant hit in those columns.
CBS opened its Monday with a new “The Big Bang Theory” at 8PM (10.8 overnight household rating) and a re-run at 8:30PM (7.8). It filled the 10PM hour with the season premiere of “NCIS: Los Angeles.”
Airing in its new timeslot, “NCIS: LA” drew a 6.0 overnight household rating.