Update: The premiere of NBC’s “AD: The Bible Continues” could not match the viewership total of History Channel’s 2013 “The Bible” premiere (13.1 million).
The opening night “AD” performance was solid nonetheless. Per fast national data, it drew a 2.3 adults 18-49 rating with 9.54 million viewers. Both were the night’s best marks for a network television program.
Lead-out “American Odyssey” turned away a significant portion of that lead-in. Airing in the 10PM hour, it posted a mere 1.2 with 5.44 million viewers.
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Because its skew was likely older than is typical for an NBC series, it is difficult to assess “AD: The Bible Continues” based purely on Sunday’s overnight household rating.
Enough to give NBC the victory in the 9PM timeslot, the show’s 6.1 overnight household rating looks strong, but an adults 18-49 rating (due later this morning) is required to fully understand that strength.
What is clear, however, is that “American Odyssey” did not retain an admirable portion of its “AD” lead-in.
Sunday’s “Odyssey” premiere drew a 3.3 overnight household rating. A very discouraging sign when it comes to the show’s likely adults 18-49 and total viewership numbers, it looks even worse when compared to the significantly stronger number drawn by its lead-in.
NBC filled its 7-8PM and 8-9PM slots with “Dateline” (2.6 overnight household rating, 3.2 overnight household rating).