Update: Thanks to a very favorable adjustment in the final data, ambiguity has been removed. Wednesday’s “Empire” indeed posted the series’ best overall performance to date.
In addition to matching last week’s series high 5.8 adults 18-49 rating, this week’s “Empire” posted a new viewership high of 14.90 million.
Following its January 7 premiere, FOX’s freshman drama has enjoyed nine consecutive weeks of viewership increases. It has suffered only one week-over-week setback in adults 18-49.
FOX led into “Empire” with “American Idol” (2.4 rating, 9.71 million viewers).
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The “Empire” viewership streak remains intact.
For the ninth consecutive week, FOX’s buzzworthy drama enjoyed a week-over-week gain in total viewership. After reaching a series high mark of 14.33 million last week, the show this week posted a fast national viewership average of 14.73 million.
“Empire” routinely receives an upward adjustment in the final ratings report, which means Wednesday’s episode might have set an even higher series high mark than 14.73 million.
This week’s “Empire” did not, however, enjoy a week-over-week gain in the coveted adults 18-49 demographic. Fast national data says this week’s show drew a 5.6 rating in the key demo; last week’s broadcast posted a 5.7 in the corresponding fast national data and a 5.8 in the finals.
If this week’s rating remains beneath last week’s mark in the finals, it would represent only the second such week-over-week loss for “Empire.”
When one combines that statistic with the new viewership high and the fact that “Empire” is by far the top-rated program on network television, he has no reason to view this performance in a negative light. It is another winning showing for FOX’s winner of a new series.
— FOX led into “Empire” with “American Idol.” Benefiting from the removal of last week’s special “The Voice” competition, “Idol” drew an improved 2.3 with 9.31 million.