Update: Now airing head-to-head in the 9PM hour, “Scandal” and “The Blacklist” made for one of the most intriguing ratings battles of the season.
And when it comes to the two most notable television viewership metrics, ABC’s “Scandal” and NBC’s “The Blacklist” each claimed victory in one Thursday.
“Scandal” won in adults 18-49 (a 3.2 rating vs. a 2.4 for “The Blacklist”), but NBC’s drama led in total viewership (10.11 million vs. 9.58 million for “Scandal”).
Considering the adults 18-49 rating is more directly linked to television ad rates, the ABC drama’s commanding lead in that column renders it the overall “winner” for the evening. But by holding up relatively well in the demo and by winning in total viewership, “The Blacklist” certainly fared respectably in its new slot.
Other ABC programs: “Grey’s Anatomy” (2.3 adults 18-49 rating, 7.98 million viewers), “How to Get Away with Murder” (2.7, 8.34 million viewers).
Other NBC programs: “The Blacklist” (Super Bowl episode encore) (1.0, 5.13 million viewers), “Allegiance” (1.1, 4.98 million viewers).
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Television’s most intense, eagerly anticipated timeslot battle finally commenced Thursday, and while there was a winner in the overnight metered market ratings, the other was definitely not a loser.
Airing opposite each other in the 9PM timeslot, ABC’s “Scandal” and NBC’s “The Blacklist” both delivered strong marks. “Scandal” won the battle with a 7.5 overnight household rating, but “The Blacklist” showed no lost steam in posting a 6.8.
Both numbers are among the better ones posted by the respective series this season. And both ranked as the night’s best overnight household ratings for drama series.
Fast national ratings detailing the two series’ performances in the adults 18-49 and total viewership columns will be issued by 11:15AM ET.
— ABC’s other Thursday programs: “Grey’s Anatomy” (6.2 overnight household rating), “How to Get Away with Murder” (6.2 overnight household rating)
— NBC’s other Thursday programs: “The Blacklist (encore of Super Bowl episode)” (3.7 overnight household rating), “Allegiance” (3.4 overnight household rating).