While not at all a reason to sound the alarm, the rating for Sunday’s “Last Man on Earth” is also not a reason to throw a party.
Sunday’s “Last Man,” which was the third episode overall and first in the show’s regular 9:30PM timeslot, drew a 1.8 adults 18-49 rating with 4.28 million viewers.
Last week’s pair of episodes, which occupied the entire 9PM hour, averaged a 2.4 adults 18-49 rating with 5.75 million viewers.
Expected given the tendency for non-“Empire” series to drop in the weeks following their premieres, the 25% fall is not insignificant. That it came despite receiving a stronger lead-in boost (this week’s “Family Guy” drew a 2.0 with 3.95 million viewers, while last week’s “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” lead-in posted a 1.8 with 3.61 million viewers) amplifies the disappointment.
By the same token, “Last Man” did retain 90% of its “Family Guy” lead-in. If its retention holds at that level moving forward, it will represent a victory for FOX.
Older-skewing than FOX’s other Sunday comedies, “Last Man on Earth” also ranked as the network’s most-watched Sunday show despite not leading in the adults 18-49 demographic.
Other FOX Sunday night ratings:
Bob’s Burgers – 0.7, 2.47 million
The Simpsons – 1.6, 3.73 million
Brooklyn Nine-Nine – 1.4, 3.07 million
