Update (PM): Down slightly in adults 18-49 and up slightly in total viewers, ABC’s “Scandal,” for the first time this season, topped lead-out “How to Get Away with Murder” in both categories.
Thursday’s “Scandal” episode drew a 2.9 adults 18-49 rating with 9.84 million viewers. “HTGAWM” followed with a 2.8 rating and 9.79 million viewers.
Based on current data, “Scandal” ranks as this week’s top-rated network drama in adults 18-49. Among dramas on cable and broadcast television, it is second only to AMC’s “The Walking Dead.”
Earlier in the night, ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” delivered a 2.4 rating and attracted 8.43 million audience members.
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After spending three weeks in the shadow of its new “TGIT” counterpart “How to Get Away with Murder” as far as overnight metered market ratings go, ABC’s “Scandal” rose to #1 among ABC’s programs–and non-sports programs in general–this Thursday.
Thursday’s episode, the series’ fourth of the fourth season, enjoyed a 4% boost to a 7.7 overnight household rating. That bested the numbers drawn by its ABC companions and anything that aired on FOX, The CW and NBC.
Among all programs, only CBS’ New York Jets vs. New England Patriots football game (9.5 overnight household rating between 8:30PM and 11:30PM ET) drew a larger household audience.
Since the late-September commencement of the season, “Scandal” has edged “Murder” in adults 18-49 but never in the overnight household ratings or total viewers. Its nightly victory in the overnights is now official; an update at 12PM ET will reveal whether it also won in the other two categories.
— This Thursday, ABC also aired “Grey’s Anatomy” (6.6 overnight household rating at 8PM) and “How to Get Away with Murder” (7.2 overnight household rating at 10PM).