Update: Interestingly down from its previous telecast, which aired against the “Two and a Half Men” series finale, “Scandal” nonetheless posted the 9PM timeslot’s best adults 18-49 rating.
Thursday’s episode drew a 3.0 adults 18-49 rating with 9.60 million viewers. CBS’ “The Big Bang Theory” re-run and “Mom” attracted a larger average audience (10.01 million) but settled for an average of 2.3 in the demo. “TBBT” drew a 2.4 with 10.48 million, while “Mom” scored a 2.2 with 9.55 million.
NBC’s “The Blacklist” (1.7, 8.00 million), FOX’s “Backstrom” (1.0, 3.93 million) and The CW’s “Supernatural” re-run (0.2, 0.60 million) also occupied the timeslot.
ABC’s “Scandal” led into the series premiere of “American Crime.” Certainly no “How to Get Away with Murder,” the premiere scored a modest 2.0 adults 18-49 rating with 8.42 million.
Not a spectacular performer, it did, however, top timeslot competitors “Elementary” (1.3, 7.52 million) and “Allegiance” (0.8, 3.36 million).
ABC opened its night with “Grey’s Anatomy” (2.4, 8.08 million).
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“Scandal” returned after a brief hiatus this week — and it did so with its usual air of timeslot dominance.
“The Lawn Chair,” Thursday’s intense edition of the show, delivered a 7.4 overnight household rating. Up from the 7.2 drawn by the preceding episode on February 19, it gave ABC a clear victory from 9-10PM.
Competitive programming came from CBS (“The Big Bang Theory” re-run and “Mom” averaged a 6.0 overnight household rating), NBC (“The Blacklist” scored a 6.0 overnight household rating), FOX (“Backstrom” posted a 2.9 overnight household rating) and The CW (a “Supernatural” re-run drew a 0.5 overnight household rating).
While there is no guarantee “Scandal” will also show increases in adults 18-49 and total viewership this week, one can take the idea that it easily won the timeslot’s adults 18-49 race to the bank.
ABC followed “Scandal” with the premiere of “American Crime.” While not nearly as potent as the September premiere of previous 10PM occupant “How to Get Away with Murder” (which drew a 9.7 overnight rating out of the 8.6 posted by “Scandal”), it won its timeslot with a 6.1 overnight household rating.
Average retention out of “Scandal” was respectable, at least as far as the overnights go, but the show notably suffered a 12% bleed from half hour one to half hour two. It drew a 6.5 from 10-10:30PM and a 5.7 from 10:30-11PM. It thus hooked a smaller portion of the “Scandal” audience than the hourly ratings would suggest.
ABC led into “Scandal” with “Grey’s Anatomy” (6.5 overnight household rating).
Adults 18-49 and total viewership data will be available by 11:15AM ET.